Four Things You Need to Know about Gum Depigmentation Treatment

Gum colour usually varies between people and isn’t always an ideal pink ranging from light to dark brown to black. While black gums aren’t a problem they could sometimes indicate endocrine diseases. Sometimes, gums turn black due to medications, excessive tobacco use, or could indicate a type of oral cancer. Unless they’re not caused by a health issue, black gums aren’t a problem. But if you’re worried that they look unsightly, you can opt for cosmetic solutions like gum depigmentation treatment. Learn more about the gum depigmentation procedure, its costs, and any known side effects.

What Is Gum Depigmentation?

Gum depigmentation, gum bleaching, or whitening is a cosmetic procedure that brightens the gums, giving you an aesthetically pleasing smile. There are several gum depigmentation procedures: laser gum bleaching, scalpel gum depigmentation, and gum grafting. Some surgeons also offer cryosurgery to treat gingival depigmentation. Each procedure has a different recovery time, but the process is generally considered minimally invasive. It is up to the dentist to decide on the gum depigmentation procedure, depending on the reason for the pigmentation and the final result you are trying to achieve.

Laser Gum Bleaching

Laser gum depigmentation involves vaporising and removing the top layer of the gum tissue, thereby destroying the cells that produce melanin. As the new tissues form, they appear pink and not the earlier shade. The entire procedure is done under local anesthesia and has a short recovery time. The process is recommended only for patients with healthy gums.

Scalpel Gum Bleaching

This is a traditional gum depigmentation procedure performed using a scalpel. The dentist surgically removes the uppermost layer and the underlying layer of the connective tissue while ensuring that nothing remains over the denuded area. This method is economical but causes bleeding. You may have to cover the surgical site for around ten days. Also, there’s a risk that the gums could pigment again. The scalpel method is often preferred for gum depigmentation as it costs less and requires less equipment.

Gum Grafting

This treatment involves taking healthy gums from another area of the mouth and grafting them on the discoloured gums. This is an invasive procedure that takes time to heal and is usually performed to cover overexposed teeth.

Who Is The Right Candidate For Gum Depigmentation?

Patients with healthy gums can opt for gum depigmentation. However, dentists do not recommend the procedure on patients taking blood thinners, people with dark gums caused by other periodontal problems, and those with oral diseases. Patients with thin gums are also not recommended gum depigmentation, which could lead to tooth sensitivity if the roots are accidentally exposed during the treatment.

Gum Depigmentation Cost

Gum depigmentation costs vary depending on the dentist’s experience and technique. Typically, the procedure could cost from INR 5,000 to INR 20,0000 in a metro city. In Tier III cities like Kanyakumari, the process is relatively inexpensive. If you are looking for a good gum depigmentation hospital in India, visit us. At the Richardsons Hospital, we promise great care using state-of-the-art technology at affordable rates. Dr Sunil Richardson is a renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon with several years of experience in cosmetic dentistry.

Gum Depigmentation Before And Aftercare

While you can eat and drink normally after the procedure, you must follow the dentist’s advice to ensure a speedy recovery. This includes avoiding salty and acidic food and taking pain relief medication. The dentist may suggest a soft diet like ice cream, pasta, and yogurt. You must avoid hard, crunchy food and food with tiny seeds that could get trapped under the gums.