The Gum Mask: One tool for restoring smiles.                

                                                                                                                        By Isaac Comfortes, DDS.     

Smile enhancement dentistry today is a much sought after elective procedure not unlike plastic surgery.  There is a growing awareness of the importance of one's smile for an individual's sense of facial attractiveness.  Restorative practices that engage in esthetic dentistry are being rewarded economically as well as emotionally.

There are different levels of challenges for a restorative dentist when assisting an individual in creating a beautiful smile.  Sometimes this includes understanding and dealing with emotional issues as well as with the dental component.

One particular area of interest to the author has been those patients with periodontal defects in the visible zone.  The individual may have invested a substantial amount of time, money, and emotion in order to maintain his or her dentition and may now feel embarrassed by it's appearance.

In a society that focuses on youth and beauty, the public looks to our profession for solutions. What options are available? How much time and money is needed are questions that require answers.

With the periodontal defect example, how can dental patients achieve attractive smiles? Possible solutions may include, for example, orthodontic extrusion followed by implants or extractions and a prosthetic device with pink acrylic.

A conservative solution that is under utilized by many dentists is the so called 'gum mask'. This is a very thin, flexible, removable silicon appliance that can be worn when the individual is so inclined. Only two short visits are required for a patient to look and feel complete again.

The first appointment is to make an impression and the second is to deliver the prosthesis. Maintenance is simply to clean the silicon surface with soap and water utilizing one's fingers. Fluoride must not contact the silicon and, while out of the mouth, it is stored in distilled water. The longevity of the gum mask is between 6 and 18 months.

This non-invasive conservative approach has been invaluable for many individuals in restoring their confidence to smile again.

Today is a very exciting and rewarding period to be practicing dentistry. Our profession has the opportunity to not only heal what is visible, but to have a positive impact on what lies within an individual.

The gum mask is just one tool at our disposal for helping our patients to smile. 

Dental Tribune / April 2008 

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