You have gorgeous teeth, and you want to show them off when you post Instagram selfies or meet new people. Still, you might hesitate if a large portion of your gums show when you smile, detracting from its natural beauty. What can you do about this problem of proportions? Your cosmetic dentist in Spring Hill offers a treatment that can address this issue and help your grin reach its full potential.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
When you smile, no more than two or three millimeters of your gums should show. If more than that is visible, you have what is referred to as a “gummy smile,” which can make your teeth appear short, stubby, and disproportionate.
Sometimes, a gummy smile is the result of an upper lip that retracts farther than it should. Another common cause of this issue is the presence of excessive gum tissue, which covers more of the teeth than it should. If either of these problems are present in your smile, you don’t have to worry that they’ll threaten your oral health. The vast majority of the time, they’re simply cosmetic issues.
Crown Lengthening/Gum Recontouring
If the culprit behind your disproportionate grin is excessive gum tissue, your dentist in Spring Hill can perform a procedure to remove that extra tissue and reveal a smile that you’re proud to show off wherever you go.
Gum recontouring, sometimes referred to as crown lengthening, is a surgical procedure in which your dentist carefully and precisely reshapes your gums. You’ll be numb during the treatment, so you won’t need to worry that you’ll be in pain.
Before your treatment, your dentist will fully explain what they’ll be doing to your gums. They may also draw a line in your mouth to show you exactly how much gum tissue they’ll remove. It might be difficult to envision the final result, but many patients who have undergone gum recontouring are extremely satisfied with their new look! To get an idea of how the procedure might be able to transform your smile, you may want to look online for before and after pics of others who have had their gum line adjusted.
After Gum Recontouring
If you’re careful to choose a skilled cosmetic dentist to makeover your smile, it is unlikely that you’ll experience any complications during or after the procedure. Still, once you go home and start recovery, it’s important that you keep an eye on your mouth and look for any signs of trouble, such as abnormal bleeding or swelling.
You’ll also have to avoid crunchy or hard foods for a while because they could irritate your sensitive gum tissue. However, the dietary restrictions shouldn’t last for more than a couple of weeks. Before you know it, your mouth will be healed, and you’ll be the proud owner of a gorgeous, proportionate smile!
About the Author
Dr. Loretta Matic has over 30 years of experience in the field of dentistry; she started out as a dental assistant, but her passion for oral health moved her to pursue further education and become an oral health doctor. She truly enjoys helping her patients achieve healthy, gorgeous smiles. To talk to her about how your teeth and gums can look their best, contact our office at 615-302-1414.