Your smile is a priceless gift you share with others. When you stifle your smile because you don’t like its gummy appearance, you deny everyone else the opportunity to bask in it. But you also miss out on some of the health benefits of smiling, including stress reduction and mild pain relief. The good news is that a gummy smile can be corrected. At San Diego Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we offer a number of options for treating gummy smiles. We’ll help determine which one is best for you so you can feel confident about showing your smile off to the world.
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile is characterized by a large amount of gum tissue visible below the upper lip. Some orthodontic conditions or a thin upper lip can cause a more visible gum line. The most common cause of a gummy smile, however, is excessive gum tissue growing over the teeth. Infection in the gums can also cause them to swell and cover too much of the teeth. Whether the gums are healthy or infected, excessive gum tissue can make the teeth appear short and disproportionately small in context with the rest of the face.
Gummy smile treatments
The best treatment for a gummy smile depends on the cause. For example, cosmetic fillers may be able to correct a thin upper lip, and braces might fix a gummy smile caused by an orthodontic issue. For excess or swollen gum tissue, gummy smile treatments differ as well, and the right one depends mainly on the health of the gum tissue and the severity of the condition.
Gummy smile treatments we offer include:
1. Esthetic Crown Lengthening
Esthetic crown lengthening – Formally known as gingivoplasty, this surgical gum contouring procedure involves repositioning the gum line and removing excess gum tissue. The process reveals the natural enamel of the tooth, making it appear longer and more proportionate. This is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed on its own or in combination with other procedures for a more complete smile makeover.
2. Root Scaling And Planing
Root scaling and planing – Swollen gums are often the result of gum disease caused by bacteria and infection below the gum line. During the root scaling and planing process, the periodontist pulls back the gums and removes plaque from the entire tooth, all the way down to the root. The tooth’s root is then smoothed out and the gums are reattached. If swelling is the cause of the gummy smile, root scaling and planing may be enough to correct the problem.
3. Gingivectomy
Gingivectomy in San Diego – When gum disease has advanced, diseased tissue has to be removed. A gingivectomy is similar to the gingivoplasty, but the gingivectomy involves the removal of dead or diseased gum tissue instead of healthy tissue. In many cases, the gingivectomy is performed in combination with scaling and root planing.
If you’re ready to create more pleasing gum contours, improve your gum health, and enhance your smile, contact us for a consultation today.
Fix your gummy smile at San Diego Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
You don’t have to know which procedure is best for correcting your gummy smile. That’s our job! When you come into San Diego Periodontics and Implant Dentistry for your gummy smile consultation, Dr. Kwok will evaluate your teeth and gums and explain your options. Whether you need esthetic crown lengthening or a more comprehensive treatment plan for addressing swollen, infected gums, Dr. Kwok will provide you with personalized, high-quality care. For more information on gummy smile treatment or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kwok, call us at (619) 543-0905 today.
