Case Background
The patient is unhappy with the esthetics of her smile. The gingiva on the facial of #8 needs to be reduced and new restorations need to be placed on #8 and #9, at a minimum, to improve the "smile zone."
Case Treatment
The procedure can be done with a scalpel or with the Waterlase MD. The patient opted for laser gingival recontouring, a new crown on #8, and porcelain veneers on all other anterior teeth. After insuring adequate biological width, 3mm of facial tissue was removed with the laser to balance the "smile line". The Waterlase MD allowed for a clean, fast healing gingival recontouring procedure and was a great instrument for this cosmetic restorative case.
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| Performing Gingivectomy |
Immediately After Surgery |
Tooth Prepped For New Crown |
Post Op
The laser gingivectomy is minimally invasive with little or no tissue shrinkage. The predictability of the tissue contour during the short post-op healing allows restorations to be placed as early as 2 weeks following the procedure.
