Getting Rid Of That Gummy Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry

Has anyone ever said you have a gummy smile?

One of the first things you notice is someone’s smile. Whether it’s at the grocery store, a first date, or in the mirror, your smile can be a window to your soul.

Teeth come in all shorts of shapes, sizes, alignments, and shades of white. Most of this is in your DNA, your genetic code, and nothing can be done about that! Teeth are only one part of your smile though. Another huge factor is your gums. The gum tissues and surrounding bone are what keep your teeth strong and healthy. In essence, there are two key elements to a healthy, beautiful smile: teeth and the surrounding gum tissues.

Many people come to me saying: “I don’t like my smile”. Can you change the color or position of my broken down or crooked teeth with Lumineers?” Well, the answer is yes, but most of the time patients don’t ask me this very important question: “Can you change the shape and position of my gums?”

The amount of gum tissue we show when we smile is another genetic predisposition that we were born with. Luckily, like the teeth, we can change that. Ideally, at full smile you should show no gum tissue or 2-3mm of gum tissue at the tops of your front teeth. Some people, however, show 5mm or even 10mm of tissue when they smile. Hence the term “gummy smile.” For many people this can cause hesitation or embarrassment when it comes time to show off those pearly whites.

With today’s technology and procedures, we can change that gummy smile. The procedure has a couple of different names: gingivoplasty or crown lengthening. Most cases can easily be taken care with a soft tissue dental laser, which is what we use. It can be done with or without doing crowns or veneers on the front teeth. In the course of about 30 minutes, we can remove the excess gum tissue that causes the gummy smile. You walk away with a smile that’s more confident and most importantly, whiter (since you’re showing so much less of that red gum tissue). Healing time is generally about seven days, but the results last a lifetime!

If you’ve ever been self-conscious about the gum tissue in the front of your mouth (either too much or uneven) or if you know people who may benefit from this procedure, feel free to call our office for a consultation.