Do you have a “gummy” smile? Are you dissatisfied with the appearance of your gums?
A gummy smile is a dental concern characterized by an excess amount of gum tissue around the base of the tooth. Even straight and healthy teeth can look disproportionate with an irregular gum line. Dr. Ben Ahlbrecht offers gum contouring for patients with a gummy smile in Indianapolis, IN. This treatment offers a more balanced and even look.
At North Meridian Dental Care, our staff is experienced in providing general, restorative, and cosmetic dental treatments to patients in a relaxing environment.
What Causes A Gummy Smile?
There are several common reasons for a gummy smile:
- badly-erupted teeth
- An overgrowth of the upper jaw area
- Long or enlarged gum tissue
- Genetics
- A small upper lip
- Small teeth
- Tooth wear
If you want to balance out your teeth and gums, call North Meridian Dental Care at 317.204.7134.
The Benefits of Treating a Gummy Smile
Contouring the gums can provide numerous benefits, including:
- A straighter-looking smile
- An even gum line
- More proportionate-looking teeth
- Permanent results
Because excess gum tissue can trap food and bacteria, contouring gums can improve oral health. Good candidates for gum contouring have good oral health with no signs of gum disease. This procedure can:
- Remove excess gum tissue
- Improve the appearance of teeth
- Straighten an uneven gum line
Learn about the in-office gum contouring procedure below:
The Gum Contouring Procedure at North Meridian Dental Excellence
Before treatment, Dr. Ahlbrecht will take note of each tooth to ensure he can shape the gums to your desired results. Then we will administer local anesthesia to numb the area. Finally, Dr. Ahlbrecht will use a small hand-held tool to sculpt and reshape the gum line. We can complete the procedure in just several minutes with minimal bleeding.
Following the procedure, you may experience some swelling and soreness. Taking over-the-counter pain medication and eating soft foods for the first few days after the treatment can help minimize discomfort.
Gummy Smile FAQs
Can you reverse the gummy smile?
You can attempt to correct a gummy smile with esthetic crown lengthening, gingivectomy, lip reverse vestibuloplasty, and Botox®. These procedures either reposition your gums, remove some gum layer, or expand your top lip over your gummy smile.
How do you get rid of a gummy smile with Botox®?
Some patients choose to remove gummy smiles with Botox. Injecting Botox into the area between the patient’s nose and upper lip relieves symptoms. This will make your upper lip more relaxed and will likely cover your gummy smile so that it is not noticeable.
What causes a gummy smile?
The cause of a gummy smile is excess gum tissue, and most often you are born with it, or it’s hereditary. When a child’s teeth begin to come in, they may have more gum tissue than needed, and it covers too much of their teeth.
How long does it take to recover from a gummy smile surgery?
It can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to fully heal from gummy smile surgery. Healing time is largely dependent on the level and amount of dental work you need. Patients who do not require very much gum tissue removed can expect a faster recovery while patients with more gum tissue removed should expect to take longer to fully heal.
Is gum surgery painful?
The physical procedure for gum surgery is entirely painless, but this is due to the anesthesia. The oral surgeon will sedate patients for their gum surgery to make it a comfortable and pain-free experience.
Can gums regrow?
Gums cannot regrow or regenerate. Once you have lost gum tissue, it is permanently gone. Patients should be aware of this when discussing treatment with their dentist.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Get a more balanced smile. Call North Meridian Dental Care at 317.204.7134. You can also schedule an appointment on our website. Our staff dedicates themselves to providing comprehensive care.