My dentist placed an implant in late January to replace my missing left front tooth. The gumline over the implant is higher than all my front teeth. My dentist says that when I receive the temporary crown, the gum will move down. Is that true? And if the gum does not move down while I am wearing the temporary crown, will it be any different when I get the final crown? Please tell me how to get my dentist to be sure about this and not wait until it is too late. Thank you. Aaron from TN
Aaron,
It is doubtful that your gumline over the dental implant will move when you get your temporary crown. Insist that the temporary crown looks like the permanent one will before your dentist bonds it.
Although not everyone’s gumline shows when they smile, if yours does, it should be even. Look in a mirror and smile broadly and look for unevenness.
Gum evenness after implant surgery
After dental implant surgery, uneven gums can be contoured. Your dentist can refer you to a periodontist or another dentist with training in gum contouring. But your dentist should take responsibility if your gums were even before implant surgery.
What is gum contouring?
Gum contouring is the process of changing the shape of your gums. After numbing your gums, a dentist can use a scalpel or laser to shape tissue to improve the appearance of your gums.
Gum contouring achieves these results:
- Add, or graft, gum tissue
- Remove excess tissue
- Reshape gum tissue
Schedule a second opinion
Get a second opinion to ensure your dental implant and gum tissue are healthy
If you are uncomfortable with your dentist’s prediction for your gum tissue over your dental implant, get a second opinion. Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist and schedule an appointment for a consultation or an exam.
David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, LA dentist and Fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry, sponsors this post.
