Dr. Radha Patel is a dentist in Atlanta, GA that offers gum bleaching to her patients. Other names, including dark gum treatment, gum depigmentation, gum lightening, or gum whitening often reference gum bleaching.
The gum depigmentation treatment is a relatively quick and painless cosmetic procedure, performed with a dental soft-tissue laser, which easily removes the brown or black patches that often occur naturally on the gum tissue. While dark gums may be completely healthy, many affected patients elect to have this procedure performed to improve the appearance of their smile with uniformly pink gum tissue.
What Causes Dark Gums?
The condition called gingival hyperpigmentation or “dark gums” is caused by melanin on the surface of the gum tissue. It can affect people of all races and ethnicities, though it’s more common in darker-skinned people. The dark patches can usually occur naturally, but smoking, systemic illnesses, and taking certain medications can also contribute to hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation presents no health risks, but some people simply prefer to have a smile with even, pink gums, which gum bleaching can provide.
Laser Gum Bleaching in Sandy Springs, GA
In preparation for your procedure, Dr. Patel will first check your gums to ensure they’re healthy enough for depigmentation. Patients with advanced gum disease may need to treat their infection before bleaching. When Dr. Patel begins the depigmentation treatment, she’ll apply local anesthesia to your gums. Then she’ll use the laser to carefully and evenly lighten the visible surfaces of your gums.
While the procedure is nearly painless, some sensitivity may follow your laser gum depigmentation, and that is remedied by using over-the-counter medicaments and avoiding any salty and/or acidic foods. Many patients return to work directly after the procedure.
The advantages of gum bleaching and depigmentation include the following:
- Significantly lighter, uniform color, most often in one visit
- No scalpels or stitches
- Patients report little or no pain during or after the procedure
- Short healing time
- The dental diode laser is proven safe for many soft tissue procedures
- For most patients, the procedure only needs to be performed once
- Many patients return to work the same day
The laser gum lightening procedure was developed in response to patient requests for a comfortable treatment to lighten dark gums. This procedure is much less invasive than older surgical techniques, completely safe, and demonstrably effective.
Gum Bleaching FAQs
What is the cost of a gum bleaching treatment?
The cost of gum depigmentation treatment will vary depending on the degree, depth, and location of the discoloration. Each patient must be analyzed case-by-case to determine how much treatment they require and how much they can expect to pay for gum bleaching.
Is gum bleaching a permanent treatment?
Gum depigmentation is long-lasting for a number of years. The dark Melanin deposits may return slowly over time. Follow-up treatments can be done. We have observed that Smoking and Vaping will darken the gums quickly.
Does the gum bleaching procedure hurt?
No. The procedure is minimally-invasive and will not cause significant discomfort. You will be numb while the dentist works in your mouth. We do our best to ensure you are completely comfortable during and after the procedure. You may feel some gum tenderness for a day or two after the procedure.
Schedule a dental exam and consultation at our cosmetic dentistry! Dr. Patel offers gum bleaching services in Atlanta, GA. You can request a consultation online at Proud Smiles or call (404) 418-7734 today.
Are there dietary restrictions after gum bleaching?
Dr. Patel will recommend avoiding foods that can cause discomfort for a few days post-treatment. These include spicy, acidic, and hard or crunchy foods.
