Are you self-conscious when you smile because just as much of your gums show as your teeth?
It is possible to get a more balanced smile without revealing too much of your gums. Our Philadelphia dental patients love the laser gum lift, performed at our Dentistry for Life office in Philadelphia, because it dramatically and immediately upgrades the appearance of their smile.
What Is a Gummy Smile Lift?
Through a gummy smile lift, your gum line is reshaped to reveal more tooth than gum. This recontouring process is done using a sophisticated dental laser that promises precision and accuracy while removing excess gum tissue and exposing additional tooth enamel. The laser gum lift is a minimally invasive procedure that quickly changes the appearance of your smile. Local anesthesia is usually recommended for patient comfort.
Causes of a Gummy Smile
People who have gummy smiles typically have them through no fault of their own. DNA is usually responsible for a gum-heavy smile, though there are other potential causes of smiles that show too much of the gum line – known as excessive gingival display – including:
- Poor tooth eruption: Some people have short teeth because their teeth are simply small, or it may be because their adult teeth did not erupt fully and remain partially covered by gum tissue.
- Overgrown gums: Gums that are too large can be a sign of early gum disease, known as gingivitis. The periodontal disease will need to be treated first but, once your mouth has healed, a laser gum lift may be recommended to prevent future infection.
- Overgrown jaw: If the upper jaw is overgrown, the gums can bulge out and be more noticeable.
- Unbalanced lip size: If the upper lip is too short or it lifts too high when you smile, more gum tissue will be noticeable.
In most cases, there is nothing wrong with a gummy smile. A disproportionate amount of gum to tooth enamel is considered an endearing characteristic by some, just like a gap between the front teeth. Generally, a smile that is gum-heavy is an aesthetic issue that is only problematic if a person is self-conscious or embarrassed about how they look.
Is a Gummy Smile Lift Right for You?
Gum recontouring is not right for every patient, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a fix for your gummy smile. In fact, you may be happier to opt for a different procedure than a laser gum lift. We take into consideration your entire smile – from teeth to lips to cheeks to jawline – face shape, and oral health to make recommendations about the best cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry options for your smile makeover.
Potential treatments for a gummy smile:
- Invisalign: If you have excessive gum line showing because of a poor bite, straightening your teeth with Invisalign in combination with a laser gum lift will permanently eliminate extra gum tissue and correct alignment.
- Botox: When Botox is injected into the upper lip, muscle movement is restricted and the lip will not rise as high as it usually does, minimizing the gummy smile.
- Porcelain veneers: Many of our patients opt for porcelain veneers as an accompaniment to a laser gum lift. Veneers are customized to suit you and you alone and are designed to create a balanced smile, including one that only shows a proportionate amount of the gum line while also correcting short teet
Get Rid of Your Gummy Smile in Philadelphia
Contact our office in the Medical Arts Building in Philadelphia to schedule your appointment and talk about the best solutions for your gummy smile or other cosmetic issues. We are proud to create new smiles for our patients every day, and we will find the right solutions to give you a smile that makes you feel confident, attractive, and happy.