Gums and smiles

Dr. Arabella Michelén

Sunday, July 28, 2024

The gums They are pale pink soft tissues that surround and protect the teeth and alveolar bone; they border the necks of the teeth and are the protagonists of oral health and smile.

The main characteristics of healthy gums are: pink color, defined interdental contour, orange peel appearance, firm and shiny appearance, no spontaneous bleeding or bleeding when brushing and elastic consistency.

Periodontal diseases affect the gums and all the tissue around the teeth. In its first stage it is known as gingivitis. If it is not treated in time, it becomes periodontitis. Both are inflammatory in nature and as such, they have repercussions on various organs of the human body, such as the heart and pancreas. Hence, its close relationship with diabetes.

Gums play a very important role in a smile. It is impossible to talk about an aesthetically beautiful smile (this is clarified because a smile is an expression of the soul and has more of a spiritual aspect than a physical one) with sick gums. The first step to take is to make them healthy and then beautiful.

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The most common aesthetic treatments performed on the gums are:

1- Gingival peeling: which is indicated in the presence of gums with pigmentation, stains or dark tones, also by decision of the patient since he or she does not like the color of his or her gums.

2- Gingivoplasty: remodeling of the gingival contour, sometimes reducing its thickness, in others achieving tooth lengthening.

3- Gingival Graft: Highly recommended for covering dental necks, not only improving the appearance, but also the sensitivity to thermal changes and consumption of acidic or sour foods.

Generally, these procedures are performed in conjunction with other areas of dentistry, for example: oral rehabilitation, orthodontics, implantology, among others. In order to achieve orofacial harmonization or a smile design, it is essential to treat the oral cavity as a whole and in direct relation to the human being. Periodontist, together with other specialists, will form a professional team that will look after your health first and then your beauty.

Patients with unhealthy gums, uncontrolled immunosuppressive diseases, scarring and/or coagulation problems, very thin gums, with continuous use of certain medications, among other conditions, should be cleaned, monitored and then treated, with the approval of their doctor.

High technology has simplified all these treatments, and thanks to phototherapy, post-operative time, inflammatory and infectious processes are reduced; the application of low-power lasers facilitates the cutting and remodeling of the gums; guided anesthesia techniques help to increase effectiveness; the integration of digital impressions; artificial intelligence allows for the projection of a before and after that gives the patient an idea of the result. However, all this must be carried out by expert hands, without ignoring scientific advances.

Remember, health prevails over beauty.