Gum Appearance and Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy is a great option for patients looking to improve the aesthetics of their smile. A gummy smile can give your teeth the appearance of being short and boxy but with a gum lift, excessive gum tissue is removed to reveal underlying tooth structure, making your teeth appear larger and your gums appropriate to your teeth.
Having a gummy smile is not a health or hygiene risk but it can be an issue for patients that are uncomfortable with their tooth-to-gum ratio. Gum tissue can be excessive or overgrown due to genetics, medications, or periodontal disease. Patients that have a gummy smile or more often than not a victim of genetics! Your dentist can help steer you in the right direction with a referral to an experienced periodontist to perform a gingivectomy for you.
Cosmetic Gingivectomy
Your periodontist will take x-rays, check your lip movement, and determine tooth-to-gum and jaw line ratios to help them choose the best treatment option for you. Gingivectomy can be used in conjunction with other dental treatments such as veneers and crowns.
Your doctor can perform a gingivectomy using either a scalpel or a laser. If they use a scalpel, you will likely have stitches that will need to be removed in a few weeks. A laser has the added advantage of cauterizing the tissue as it is trimmed and shaped, giving the patient a shorter healing time with great results.
Your doctor will administer a local anesthetic at the gum tissue being treated and then will use a handheld laser or scalpel to remove excess of tissue. Once the procedure is complete, they will apply a putty substance and gauze over the area to protect it for the first few days of healing. This dressing will usually come off on its own but if it does not, your doctor will remove it at your follow up visit.
If you do not like the appearance of your teeth in addition to having a gummy smile, you may consider having a gum lift and then having veneers replaced. Porcelain veneers can change the shape and color of your teeth for a more aesthetically pleasing smile. Veneers are a wafer-thin porcelain that is adhered to the front surface of each tooth being treated and have a very natural appearance.
When you like your smile, you are likely to exude more confidence and be more comfortable with your appearance. If you have a gummy smile that makes you uncomfortable, cosmetic dentistry can help with a gingivectomy. There is nothing wrong with a gummy smile; fixing it is simply for the patient’s benefit and comfort!