As its name suggests, dark gum pigmentation refers to a discoloration, or pigmentation, of the gums in the mouth. The condition can affect the entire gums, or just patches of the gums. Though it is not a life-threatening condition, the quality of your smile can be severely impacted if it goes left untreated. Since the gums are a visible frame around your teeth, gum discoloration can have a negative impact on the overall attractiveness of your smile, as well as your self-confidence. For this reason, this cosmetic procedure is becoming more and more popular among those interested in modifying their physical facial appearance.
Like the color of your hair and skin, gum discoloration is primarily a genetic predisposition and is directly linked to skin conditions. It is not an indication of unhealthy or diseased gums, but many patients feel that it takes away from the attractiveness of their appearance and is the reason so many people opt to have this popular cosmetic procedure. Discoloration of the gums may affect the entire area of the gums or only patches of the gums, and is more easily viewed in individuals with gummy smiles.
In many cases, dark spots on the gums appear as a result of physiologic gingival pigmentation, a condition that is caused by the deposition of the melanin pigment inside the gums. Melanin, a natural substance in the body that is responsible for the hair and skin pigmentation in people with darker complexions, works to protect the deepest layers of the skin by absorbing harmful UV rays from the sun. Just as our skin has the ability to increase the melanin discharge based on our amount of exposure to sunlight, gum pigmentation can also increase as a result of our chronic exposure to certain irritants, such as cigarette smoke and smokeless, or “dipping”, tobacco.
Pigmentation associated with smoking is called “smoker’s melanosis”. It is more easily seen in those with a light complexion and gums that are naturally pinkish in color. It appears most commonly as a brown band of color just beneath the gum line. Fortunately, it is a benign condition that can slowly but gradually reverse itself when the patient ceases smoking.
In addition to genetics and smoking, physiologic gingival pigmentation can also be caused by the following factors:
Gum Depigmentation vaporizes and removes a thin top layer of the gum 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. Bright Smile Dental and Orthodontic Center is one of handful clinics in Dubai that offers this treatment equiped with the latest laser equipment.
Your teeth come under constant attack from the starches and sugars present in our food which are released as we eat. When this combines with plaque – the sticky bacterial film that forms on the teeth over time, it produces an acid which is harmful to our teeth.
When you look in the mirror and smile, are you happy with the results? Some people are happy, some are not. In some cases, too much of their gums is visible around their teeth which creates a “gummy” look. Others may dislike their smile because their gums have receded so much that their teeth look much longer than normal.
Laser Therapy is commonly referred to as Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT). The diode laser that performs LAPT is an important and extremely effective therapy used by Bright Smile Dental and Orthodontic Center to treat periodontal or gum disease through the process of regeneration
#.105, First Floor, Al Shafar Building 7,
Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah One,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel : +971 4 344 9675
Fax: +971 4 344 9657
Our area is next to the famous city walk. It is the same building of 2XL Furniture, located between Life Pharmacy and Aswaq Supermarket, and opposite of Emarat Petrol Station.
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