Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments for a Gummy Smile
Several types of aesthetic flaws can detract from the smile's beauty and leave people self-conscious about sharing it with others. Even minor imperfections can give the smile an unhealthy, imbalanced, and imperfect appearance. One concern commonly reported to Dr. Daniel Whiteman at his cosmetic dentistry dental practice is a gummy smile.
Overextended gum tissue can make the teeth look small. Fortunately, our Brookline, MA, and Boston, MA, patients do not have to live with a gummy smile. Dr. Whiteman offers several cosmetic dentistry treatments for a gummy smile. Treatments create a straighter and more even gum line that brings balance to the teeth and gum tissues, enhancing the overall appearance of the smile.
Gum Lift
A gum lift, also known as gum contouring, is the most common treatment for a gummy smile. During a gum contouring procedure, Dr. Whiteman uses a dental scalpel or laser to remove excessive gum tissue. The treatment eliminates overextended tissue to lift and reshape the gum line while exposing more tooth structure.
Gum lift treatment is safe, effective, and virtually pain-free. Patients recover quickly from a gum lift procedure with little to no side effects. Laser gum contouring is especially beneficial, as it cauterizes blood vessels as tissues are reshaped, reducing discomfort during treatment and speeding up the recovery timeline.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another cosmetic dentistry treatment that effectively treats a gummy smile. Porcelain veneers are thin, shell-like restorations that bond to the facial surface of the teeth. Porcelain veneers conceal cosmetic blemishes, like cracks, chips, fractures, and dental stains. They can also improve the size, shape, and color of the teeth. Porcelain veneers address a gummy smile by making the teeth look larger so they are proportionate to the gum line.
Porcelain veneers treatment takes place over two dental appointments. At the first appointment, Dr. Whiteman removes a thin layer of tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. He takes dental impressions and creates a design plan for the veneers. When the porcelain veneers have been fabricated, our Brookline patients return to our office and the veneers are bonded to the teeth with a special dental compound. Porcelain veneers treatment can be performed alone or along with a gum lift.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are small caps that sit over the crown of a tooth. Like porcelain veneers, dental crowns can enhance the size and shape of a tooth to improve the balance between the teeth and gum line. Dental crowns require significant reshaping of the natural tooth, so they are not the most common treatment for a gummy smile. However, if just one of two teeth is undersized, dental crowns may be the best way to create a more proportionate smile. Dental crowns can also be offered along with a gum lift to enhance treatment results.
Contact Us
If you are embarrassed to share your smile with others due to excessive gum tissue or an uneven gum line, you may be an ideal candidate for a gum lift or one of the other cosmetic dentistry treatments offered by Dr. Daniel Whiteman. To find out how Dr. Whiteman can treat a gummy smile, send us a message online to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
