You have heard multiple times that a gum lift can help with a “gummy smile.” However, you’re not convinced that this is your problem. As a result, you don’t really know if coming in to talk with us is going to be the best idea or not. First, let us remind you that it’s always a wise choice to come speak with us if you are in need of cosmetic dental care, as we offer comprehensive solutions to help you. As for your gums, we think that if you consider some less obvious reasons for a lift, you may be surprised to discover that it’s just what you’ve been looking for to resolve your concerns.
Did you know, 10% of Miss America pageant contestants had noticeably gummy smiles? Short teeth, stubby teeth, a gummy smile, whatever you call excessive gingival display, it makes a person self-conscious about smiling. About 14% of women and 7% of men have excessive gums. Several factors lead to a gummy smile, but one solution corrects nearly all of them. It is possible to correct a gummy smile with gum recontouring surgery. What is this procedure and how will it improve your smile?
Your Upper Lip Is “Hyper Mobile”
First, let’s talk about your lip. When we talk about a “hyper-mobile” upper lip, you may wonder what on earth we are referring to. Here’s what you need to know: When you smile, your lip moves up and shows your teeth. In most mobility, it moves up just enough to show your teeth without revealing much of your gum tissue.
A hyper mobile lip means it moves too much. It means that your muscles are causing your lip to hike up just a bit higher than you would like when you laugh or smile. The result? You see yourself in pictures and notice that you can see a greater amount of your gum tissue than you would prefer. A good solution to this issue is a gum lift, which will remove a portion of your gum tissue. This raises your gumline, so when you smile, what you see is your teeth!
Your Upper Lip Is A Bit Short
Now, let’s talk about what happens when your anatomy is coming into play. Perhaps your upper lip is slightly short. As a result, it does not naturally provide the coverage of your gums that you would prefer, so your smile ends up looking like a “gummy smile,” even if you do not have an excess of gum tissue. Again, as you’ve likely realized, a wonderful solution to this esthetic concern is going to be a gum lift. You can smile in confidence! Have questions? Simply contact our team.
Addressing the Real Issue: Reasons for a Gum Lift
Some people wrongly believe that when their teeth start to look small, the answer is to use veneers or another form of cosmetic dentistry meant for tooth enhancement. In reality, if excess gum tissue is the reason for the cosmetic concern, a gum lift could be the best way to improve the overall appearance of the smile.
Gum lifts are designed to make the smile appear more beautiful and youthful, while also correcting any odd shapes created by the gumline.
What to Expect from the Procedure
During a gum lift the dentist or oral surgeon will carefully sculpt the gums to create a more attractive gumline, and to reveal more of the teeth beneath the tissue. This is done by first carefully designing the improvements, and then using laser technology to sculpt the gums.
The laser sutures as the dentist works, allowing for faster recovery time and less discomfort overall. So if you want a more youthful smile, talk to your cosmetic dentist about the option of having a gum lift completed!
Learn more about the reasons for a gum lift
Find out more about gum lifts and how they can help improve your smile when you head into our practice for a consultation. Feel free to schedule a visit with Dr. Fondriest by calling Lake Forest Dental Arts at (847) 234-0517. We also proudly serve residents of Chicago and all surrounding communities in the Chicago Metro area.