Elite Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
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(859) 384-2999
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8780 US Hwy 42 Ste B
Florence, KY 41042

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  • Monday: 8:30AM to 5:00PM
  • Tuesday: 9:00AM to 4:00PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00AM to 6:00PM
  • Thursday: 9:00AM to 4:00PM
  • Friday: 7:30AM to 2:00PM
  • Saturday: Closed
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Get a healthy, gorgeous smile at Elite Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

    • Home
    • About
      • About Our Practice
      • Office Tour
      • Privacy Policy
      • Blog
    • Patient Information
    • Services
      • View all Services
      • Bruxism
      • Cosmetic Dentist
      • Dental Bonding
      • Dental Checkup
      • Dental Cleaning and Examinations
      • Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges
      • Dental Implants
      • Dental Restorations
      • Dental Veneers and Dental Laminates
      • Dentures and Partial Dentures
      • Family Dentist
      • General Dentist
      • Invisalign Dentist
      • Smile Makeover
      • Teeth Whitening
    • Patient Education
      • Patient Education Overview
      • Gum Disease
      • I Think My Gums Are Receding
      • Improve Your Smile for Senior Pictures
      • Multiple Teeth Replacement Options
      • Options For Replacing Missing Teeth
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • Oral Hygiene Basics
      • Post-Op Care for Dental Implants
      • Preventative Dental Care
      • The Dental Implant Procedure
      • What Can I Do to Improve My Smile?
      • What Do I Do If I Damage My Dentures?
      • What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth?
      • Why Are My Gums Bleeding?
      • Which is Better Invisalign or Braces?
      • Will I Need a Bone Graft for Dental Implants?
    • Post Op Instructions
    • Smile Gallery
    • Contact Us

Florence What Is Gum Contouring and Reshaping

What Is Gum Contouring and Reshaping Florence, KY

What Is Gum Contouring and Reshaping

At Elite Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we speak with many Florence patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance or shape of their gums. While most people think of things like teeth whitening when considering how to improve their smile, the appearance of the gums also makes a significant impact. If you feel that yours are too large or have receded and are too small, call (859) 384-2999 and schedule an appointment with our 41042 dental office. We can examine you, make recommendations, and let you know whether we can assist you or if you should see a specialist. In the meantime, here are a few frequently asked questions about gum contouring and our answers to them.

What is gum contouring?
This is cosmetic procedure that is used to change the shape of your gums. A Florence dentist can use this procedure to cut away excessive gum tissue that is giving you a “gummy” smile or to restore gum tissue that has receded and is now exposing too much of your teeth.

How do I know if I need gum contouring?
Typically, this is a highly personal decision that is made based on how you feel about your gums. If your gums are uneven, or they cover too much or too little of your teeth, then you may be a good candidate for gum contouring or gum reshaping. To find out, call 859-384-2999 and schedule an appointment with our Florence, KY dental office.

Is there pain associated with the procedure?
There can be, but you will be medicated during the procedure, which will reduce the likelihood of you feeling any pain during it. How much really depends on how much gum tissue is being cut away, shaped, or grafted. Additionally, the type of dental tools used will impact what your gums feel like afterward. Currently, 41042 dentists are using both scalpels and lasers to complete gum procedures.

What is the recovery time like?
This also heavily depends on the type of tools used to complete the procedure. When a scalpel is used for gum contouring, sutures will be necessary and there will be more overall irritation. Very often, lasers can treat the gums without cutting or sutures, decreasing the recovery time. Regardless, you will experience some swelling and discomfort afterward. You can manage it by applying ice packs to your face for 15 minutes at a time and using ibuprofen.

Check out what others are saying about our gum contouring services on Yelp: What Is Gum Contouring and Reshaping Florence.

Are there any restrictions during recovery?
Yes. You will need to be careful with what you eat. Since your gums will be sensitive, you should avoid eating anything that is sharp or that could cut, poke, or irritate them in any way. For this reason, most people stick with a soft diet of yogurt, soup, ice cream, pudding, etc. for a couple of days. If your gum reshaping was performed using a scalpel, it is likely that you will be scheduled for a follow-up visit. At that point, your Florence dentist will examine the gums to determine if everything is healing properly, and if it is, they will let you know when you can return to all your normal dietary habits. Additionally, you may be prescribed an antibiotic rinse to use in order to combat a potential infection, and when you do brush your teeth, you will need to do so very gently.

Is gum shaping different from gum contouring?
These terms are used interchangeably by 41042 dentists who perform them. Some may use contouring to describe the procedure with the use of a scalpel and reshaping when lasers are used. At the end of the day, the approach and objective are very similar. It is the tools that are different. The key is that if you want your gums to look different, it doesn’t really matter which term is used, both contouring and reshaping can be an excellent solution.

Is this purely a cosmetic procedure, or is there a medical reasons for contouring and shaping?
That depends on why you want to schedule a gum reshaping. If you are calling our office because you suffer from gum disease, we will first examine you to determine if you have the condition, discuss your treatment options, and work to eliminate the actual disease. At that point, you may very well need a gum contouring procedure in order to restore gums that have receded and are now putting the health of your teeth, roots, and jawbone at risk. In a very real sense, gum contouring and grafting can help save your teeth.

While typically gum recession is caused by gum disease, you could also experience this due to excessive tooth brushing, taking a prescription drug, or even genetics. In this case, as with gum disease, restoring your gum tissue may become necessary for your optimum oral health.

Will insurance pay for it?
That really depends on your insurance company and whether you are getting the procedure to restore gums ravaged by gum disease or if you are having it done to simply remove a gummy smile and improve your appearance. Typically, if it is for health reasons, the insurance company will pay for at least part of it.

What are the risks associated with gum reshaping?
You could get an infection or have a bad reaction to the anesthesia. If you have had surgery and anesthesia before, it is unlikely that you will have a bad reaction this time. Simultaneously, if you follow the aftercare instructions, your risk for infection will go down significantly.

What are my other options?
If you do not like the appearance of your smile, call (859) 384-2999 and schedule an appointment with our Florence, KY dental office. We can conduct a thorough examination and take x-rays before discussing what you do not like about your smile. We can then make a series of recommendations for how to address it. If you don’t need gum reshaping for medical reasons, you can always have other cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening or dental bonding completed first to see if the impact is significant enough for you. Otherwise, if your gums remain an obvious issue, you should explore gum contouring further, and we can then make a recommendation for the best way for you to proceed.

Helpful Related Links

  • American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Terms. 2015
  • American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2015
  • WebMD. Gum Contouring Page. 2016

About our business, license, and website security

  • Elite Family & Cosmetic Dentistry was established in 2007
  • We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
  • We serve patients from the following counties: Boone County, Kenton County, & Grant County
  • We serve patients from the following cities: Florence, Walton, Union, Burlington, Oakbrook, Richwood, Independence, and Dry Ridge

  • National Provider Identifier Database (1649685694). View NPI Registry Information
  • Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
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Definition of Cosmetic Terminology

Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
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8780 US Hwy 42 Ste B Florence, KY 41042
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8780 US Hwy 42 Ste B Florence, KY 41042
© 2025 Elite Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. All Rights Reserved.
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