Bothered by dark spots or discoloration in your gums? Due to varying concentrations of melanin in the gum tissue, you may notice uneven or asymmetrical distribution of color in the gingiva — this pigmentation can detract from the beauty of your smile, sometimes causing an unhealthy or aged look in the gums. In severe cases, the gums may appear brown or black instead of a uniform pink.
Gingival depigmentation, commonly referred to as “gum bleaching, ” is an advanced treatment performed by our Auckland cosmetic dentist to lighten or remove dark pigmentation on the gums. While this discoloration is usually harmless, an uneven tone in the gums can affect self-confidence, especially when smiling. Gum depigmentation offers an effective solution to restore a lighter, more proportional, and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
What is Gum Depigmentation?
The natural color of gums varies from person to person. Some patients have excess melanin — the same pigment responsible for skin and hair color — within their gum tissue. This excess melanin can lead to darker coloration in the gums, sometimes unevenly distributed. While there are many different causes of discolored gums, pigmented tissue is often the result of genetics, smoking tobacco, or long term use of certain medications.
Gum depigmentation is a cosmetic dentistry technique that reduces or eliminates melanin in the gums. Despite the common use of the term “bleaching, ” treatment typically does not involve chemical whitening agents. Instead, our modern dentistry practice uses laser therapy to remove the pigmented layer of gum tissue rather than more uncomfortable techniques like radiosurgery or cryotherapy. Once treated, the gums heal with a lighter, healthier-looking shade of pink.
Our fully equipped practice also performs surgical abrasion for gingival depigmentation, which remains a reliable and effective technique for treating dark gum pigmentation. This method involves carefully removing the pigmented epithelial layer of the gingiva, allowing new tissue to heal with a lighter, more uniform appearance. Dr. Tam also utilizes a hybrid technique when appropriate, combining surgical abrasion and laser therapy to achieve the best quality of results.
Who is a Good Candidate for Gingival Depigmentation?
While pigmented gums are not a health concern, many patients seek treatment to achieve a brighter, more uniform gum appearance. When undergoing a laser-based approach, a wide range of patients can safely undergo gingival depigmentation. You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are unhappy with a dark or spotted appearance in your gums
- Have healthy gums free from active periodontal disease
- Do not smoke, or you’re willing to quit before and after treatment
- Maintain good oral hygiene habits
- Are in good general health
Patients who have active gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or who smoke heavily may need to address these concerns before considering gum depigmentation. A consultation with our dental team will help determine eligibility.
How is Gum Depigmentation Performed?
Gingival depigmentation is an in-office treatment performed under local anesthesia, allowing individuals to safely drive home after their treatment. During treatment, your dentist will evaluate your gum health and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Thanks to the reduced healing time and no-contact nature of the technique, laser depigmentation is the most common approach. With this technique, a specialized dental laser gently removes the pigmented gum layer with precision, sealing tissues as it works. Once the surface layer is removed, the underlying tissue regenerates with a lighter, more even coloration. The entire process usually only takes 30 minutes to one hour depending on each patient’s treatment plan.
For treatments using surgical abrasion, your dentist or periodontist will gently remove the superficial pigmented layer of the gingiva while preserving the deeper connective tissue. Once the outer layer is removed, the underlying tissue regenerates during healing, resulting in more uniform and healthier-looking gums.
Is There Recovery Time After Gum Depigmentation?
One of the most significant benefits of laser gum depigmentation is the minimal downtime involved. Most patients experience only mild tenderness, swelling, or redness for a few days, but over the-counter medications can be taken as necessary to alleviate any discomfort. The majority of healing should be completed within one to two weeks. On the other hand, surgical abrasion requires a relatively longer healing period and may take two to four weeks depending on the extent of treatment. A soft food diet is recommended with both approaches until your dentist instructs otherwise.
At Tam Dental Group, our team of highly experienced cosmetic dentists can remove melanocytes in your gingival tissue to lighten discoloration and give you a healthier-looking smile. Contact Dr. Tam today for more information on our aesthetic dental services or to book a consultation at our Auckland practice.