Gum Surgery
Gummy Smile Correction
A gummy smile is when you smile and too much gum tissue shows above the top teeth. There are several treatments to treat gummy smiles.
Gingivectomy
This procedure reshapes your excess gums to expose the natural shape of your teeth. It creates a nice balance between the gums, which are shortened, and the teeth, which are lengthened.
Orthodontic Treatment
Braces and clear aligners are also able to improve gummy smiles by selectively moving teeth and sometimes the gum attachments.Orthognathic surgery
This is a more intensive procedure that tackles a gummy smile that is caused by an excessively long upper jaw (as compared to the bottom part of the skull). During the procedure, the upper jaw is re-contoured to the proper shape and then secured into a new position that reduces the amount of gumminess in your smile.
Botox
This is the least invasive and most short-term way of dealing with a gummy smile. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing some of the muscles so that they don’t drastically raise your upper lip. While this is a cheaper and faster fix than surgery, the results typically only last a few months — Botox needs to be repeated frequently for any long-term results. However, if you are considering eventual lip repositioning for a gummy smile, Botox can be a great way to test out what you will look like before undergoing surgery.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a procedure done by our specialist periodontist to reshape the gum and bone around a tooth. This exposes more of the natural tooth structure, making it easier for your dentist to properly fit a crown or restoration.
It helps ensure the crown is more secure, long-lasting, and looks natural.
Gum grafting for thin or receded gums
Gum grafting is a common treatment that helps improve both the health and appearance of your teeth. It can be especially useful if you have issues such as:
Receding gums
Thin gum tissue
Tooth sensitivity
Tooth surface wear (abrasion)
During the procedure, our specialist periodontist usually takes a small piece of tissue from the roof of your mouth. This thin piece is then carefully placed over the area where the gums have receded and secured with fine stitches or special tissue glue.
Over time, the graft helps strengthen the gums, protect your teeth, and restore a natural-looking smile.
