How To Remove Gum Pigmentation.

The most common cause of darker pigments in the gums is genetics. See how Tara, Gemma and Martin had excess melanin in their gums, making them look brown or black instead of pink. This is more common in certain ethnic groups like people with African or Middle Eastern ancestry.  The extra pigment does not indicate any disease or dysfunction.  Patients seek treatment because of aesthetic preference for pink gums that showcase their teeth better.

Other causes for dark gums include smoking, side effects from certain medications and the possible effect of amalgam silver particles on the gum.

At Eternal Smile Dental Centre we have helped many patients remove the dark pigmentation and have awesome pink gums.

Gum Pigmentation

Before                                                     After

This patient had light pigmentation and thus it was removed easily.

What Is the Healing Process Like?

Patients who utilize a dental laser can expect minor discomfort and no complications after the treatment. Patients with very sensitive gums may experience some discomfort for a short period of time. Patients can expect to be able to speak and eat normally immediately after the treatment is completed.

Everything heals in about 2 to 4 weeks.

How Long Does the Gum De-pigmentation Treatment Last?

One gum depigmentation treatment can last 20 years or up to a lifetime.

How Long Does the Treatment Take?

The procedure takes 20-45  minutes depending on the colour and size of the dark patch.

What happens if I still have a few pigments left once the gums have healed.

On your review appointment, we can go over the areas that you can still see some pigmentation.

Can I smoke ?

We encourage all smokers to stop smoking completely after the procedure as smoking is one of the causes of pigmentation.

You need to stop smoking for at least 7 days after the procedure.

The treatment process

Laser Gum Depigmentation vaporizes and removes a thin top layer of the gum pigmentation tissue, destroying the cells that produce melanin. As new tissue is created during healing, it tends to be pink rather than brown. The treatment may require a local anesthetic injection and has a short recovery time with manageable discomfort. Sometime depending on the colour and depth of the dark patch, it could take several sessions to achieve the desired degree of lightening.

The main guideline is simply that the gums must be healthy. We can assess your gum health at the consultation that you have with our dentist.

Gum Pigmentation
Gum Pigmentation

Who Is a Candidate?

The main guideline is simply that the gums must be healthy. We can assess your gum pigmentation health at the consultation that you have with our dentist.

This cosmetic treatment is not suitable for:

  • Patients with oral disease
  • Patients with dark gums caused by periodontal disease (this is not a surface pigment problem)
  • Patients taking blood thinners (these can cause excessive bleeding during treatment)
  • Patients with thin gum tissue or prominent tooth roots (they may experience ongoing sensitivity if roots are accidentally exposed by the removal of gum tissue)
Laser Gum Pigmentation

Why Laser Gum Depigmentation?

Different procedures have been proposed for gingival depigmentation.

Surgical Methods are very common such as Scalpel surgical technique, Bur abrasion method. Laser depigmentation is a scalpel free form of treatment, that does not cause gum bleeding.

Chemical Methods.: Chemical agents such as 90% phenol in combination with 95 %. This mixture was found to burn out the pigmented gingiva by destroying tissue down to and slightly below the basal layer of the mucous membranes.

Among the various techniques, lasers offer a promising therapeutic option since it is simple, painless, and predictable. The laser has been recognized as the most effective and reliable technique having many advantages as compared to other conventional treatment modalities. It provides a bloodless and painless surgery

 

Ready To Get Pink Gums?

To Get In Touch Today Call Our Office Right Now Or Click The Link To Schedule Your Consultation.

01217050994