Do you feel your teeth are overshadowed by prominent gums? If so, you may have what many people refer to as a “gummy smile,” excessive gum tissue or a hyperactive upper lip. Although typically a benign issue, a gummy smile can have a significant impact on one’s smile and self-confidence.
About Gum Reshaping
The goal of gum reshaping is to balance out the
appearance of the gums and teeth so they look
more proportional to each other. Our dentists can accomplish this by using a
soft-tissue laser. The use of laser energy to reshape the gums makes the
procedure safer, faster and easier to perform than traditional reshaping
methods that involve using a scalpel and other manual dental instruments.
Thanks to laser dentistry, gum reshaping is virtually painless, and recovery is
quick.
To begin treatment, our dentists will apply a local
anesthetic to numb the gums and minimize discomfort. Next, they will use a soft
tissue laser to gently remove and re-sculpt the gum tissue to achieve the desired
shape and size. Thanks to the precision of the laser, our dentists are able to
create a uniform and symmetrical gum line without damaging the surrounding
tissue. In addition, the laser cauterizes the gums to stop bleeding, minimizing
healing time and the risk of infection. Following treatment, patients may feel
mild side effects including soreness and swelling. These side effects are minor
and should subside quickly.
Is Gum Reshaping Right for You?
If you avoid smiling or laughing due to a “gummy
smile,” or simply feel that your gum-to-tooth ratio is too high, you may
benefit from gum reshaping. Suitable candidates for the procedure are
individuals who have good oral health and whose gums are free of disease. Our
dentists will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums before recommending gum
reshaping to you.
Hyperactive Upper Lip
Another factor that can contribute to a gummy smile
is a hyperactive upper lip. Some patients with this problem find that the upper
lip raises excessively when smiling, revealing more gum tissue than they would
like. In these types of cases, our dentists can inject small amounts of Botox
into the area to relax the muscles and prevent the lip from raising excessively
when smiling.