Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Gum Contouring

As you smile, do you believe your upper teeth look out of balance or proportionally awkward, maybe because there seems to be too much gum tissue? Do your upper teeth seem short in comparison to the amount of gum tissue visible when you smile? If this is the case, you could have an aesthetic condition that is usually called a gummy smile or excessive gingival display.

A gummy smile is common and can have a negative effect on your perception of your smile. But your smile can be improved and corrected quickly through a simple treatment called gum contouring.

Your compassionate team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is wholly committed to providing you, your family, and every patient with comprehensive periodontal care that improves your oral health and daily function. We pride ourselves on offering a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment to ensure all patients receive the personalized care and treatment that is expected and deserved. You will find us to excel in effective communication, both in listening and sharing examination objectives. With our initiative-taking engagement in the dental industry and the constant innovative technological improvements offered, each exam and corresponding treatment is completely personalized.  Call Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at 502-570-5700 with any questions or to make an appointment for a gum contouring evaluation.

An aesthetically pleasing smile is more than just straight, white teeth. It includes a proper ratio between your teeth and the visible gums. A gummy smile will present more gum than what is considered desirable. If your smile does bother you, gum contouring will restore an aesthetically pleasing balance between your teeth and gums during your smile.

Some Causes for Gum Contouring

There is nothing fundamentally wrong with your teeth or gums with a gummy smile. The balance or ratio between your gums and your teeth is usually a cosmetic issue and is a problem if you are self-conscious. It may have occurred because your teeth did not emerge correctly, which is called delayed passive eruption. It may happen because your upper lip pulls back farther while you smile.

Your smile may look like this if your teeth are indeed small or are severely worn down. Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry can correct these issues with simple gum contouring to modify your gumline. Here are a few examples of some causes:

  • An excessive amount of gum tissue in your upper arch. This excessive gum tissue will make your teeth appear shorter, even though they are the proper length.
  • The muscle that controls your upper lip is hyperactive, which causes your upper lip to lift higher than normal. With this movement more gum tissue is exposed during a smile.
  • The development of your upper jawbone may cause the appearance of a gummy smile. If there is excessive protrusion of your upper jaw, you will experience a gummy smile.

Is It Just an Aesthetic Problem?

The aesthetic zone or smile line, which is the front teeth visible during your smile, is determined by several factors, including:

  • The proportional balance of your gum tissue.
  • The size and shape of your teeth.
  • Your facial muscles.
  • The size and shape of your lips.

An ideal smile line appearance will naturally reveal a smaller amount of gum tissue. Your gum tissue visible during your smile should be balanced, with contours that are also in even harmony with your upper lip. This is a primary reason people with a gummy smile think their smile is unattractive.

Additional underlying conditions might be present. Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will assess your gummy smile by examining tooth eruption and jaw development and will identify any improper bite that could impact long-term oral health.

Gum Contouring Options

If you believe you have a gummy smile, visit Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry for an exam and a review of your treatment options. Research studies have determined that smiles are healthy and attractive when two millimeters or less of gum tissue is visible. At three millimeters, the display is considered excessive. The team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will examine your teeth and gums to identify the extent of any excessive gum display. This evaluation might include either conventional or digital impressions. We will also capture X-rays so that your tooth roots and jawbone can be examined. Your treatment at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry may include one or more of the following:

  • Simple gum contouring with same-day laser treatments.
  • Surgical sculpting of the gum tissue and bone to create a healthier and attractive gum contour.
  • Surgical lip repositioning.
  • Orthodontics, or braces, to move your teeth into proper positions.
  • Maxillofacial surgery to reposition the jawbone.

The professionally trained team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry may perform a crown lengthening procedure, or gum contouring, to correct your smile. During this procedure, we simply remove excessive gum tissue, and possibly some bone, to expose more of the crown of the tooth. This gum contouring procedure can be easily performed on several teeth to create a visually pleasing, harmonious gum line and a healthy-looking smile.

The American Academy of Periodontology claims the benefits of gum contouring procedures include comfort, increased self-confidence and self-esteem when smiling, speaking, and eating, as well as improved periodontal health.

Your Smile is Our Number One Priority

Our treatment philosophy at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is focused on patient education and the enhancement of your quality of life. We provide gentle, affordable, and painless periodontal care. We prioritize providing each patient with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions regarding their personal oral health treatment. Our experience is foundational in giving you restoratively minded periodontal treatment customized for your unique needs.

Our team specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. We consider ourselves experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. We have received extensive education and training in these areas. We are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and we are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

You can find Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at:

107 Frazier Ct., 1D, Georgetown, KY

Or call us today at 502-570-5700