Is a cosmetic procedure to lighten your gum colour.
Hyperpigmentation of gums is termed as a darker colour of gums beyond what is normally expected. Hyperpigmented gums can create an unsightly gum display which can make for an unpleasant smile and affect your confidence.
Gum depigmentation, also known sometimes as gum bleaching, is a cosmetic procedure to lighten your gum colour.
a) Excess production of pigments primarily melanin. This is usually only an aesthetic issue and not associated with any other medical problems.
b) Medical problems like genetic issues, hormonal problems, some medications, smoking, chronic lung infections and in some rare cases due to malignancies.
If all medical issues are ruled out, the problem, being an esthetic one, can be easily treated by depigmentation procedures.
– Topical anaesthesia can suffice with use of lasers.
– The laser tip is activated and then used in contact with gums in continuous brushing strokes with feather light touch.
– This scraping of the outer layer of gums is done till desired thickness of gums has been split.
– The treated area will then be covered with a dressing and patients recalled after 1 week.
How do Lasers work?? Lasers work at different wavelengths which can be are taken up by components within gums like water and hemoglobin. This causes thermal interactions, which produce heat and provide energy for the laser to cut through tissue.
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Gum Depigmentation
– The dressing will be in place for upto 1 week.
– You will be prescribed painkillers for upto 3 days to take care of any pain/discomfort you may experience postoperatively.
– Avoid eating hot, spicy or hard foodstuffs during the initial healing period and restrict only to soft foods until the area heals.
– Application of an ice pack outside the mouth, on the same side of treatment can help in reducing any pain or swelling.
-Do not smoke
– Do not brush the treated site until the dressing is removed.
Routinely, your gums will heal with 7-14 days. Any discomfort can be managed with medications and resolved soon with abiding by the instructions given by your periodontist.
