Gum lifts remove excess gum to expose more of the natural enamel underneath and provide a fuller smile. Gummy smile treatment can reshape your gum line and create symmetry, leading to improved aesthetics.
People can be a little self-conscious of having lots of gum visible above the top of their teeth, which can also make front teeth appear shorter. We believe every smile is unique, and that some patients can restore tooth health with crown lengthening and gum contouring treatments.
Gum contouring — sometimes referred to as a gum lift — is a cosmetic dental treatment that involves removing excess gum tissue above the teeth or reshaping the gum line to expose more of the natural tooth enamel. Gum contouring is offered to help patients that have a gummy smile and to provide a more even gum line, creating a balanced and fuller smile.
Crown lengthening is similar to gum contouring but has a more restorative purpose beyond pure cosmetics. Patients may undergo crown lengthening to help prepare a tooth to receive a dental crown prosthetic. Crown lengthening is recommended when patients need a crown to be placed, but the visible surface area of the tooth is not enough to support one. Lengthening involves removing gum tissue and adjusting the level of bone to increase the size of the visible tooth, making the crown process more successful and lasting.
Treatment can have purely aesthetic reasons for patients, or can be for a more restorative purpose. For cosmetic reasons, patients should consider gum contouring if they are unhappy with the appearance of their smile and how much of their gums appear when they smile. Patients may also feel as though their teeth appear small or poorly shaped due to the amount of gum that shows.
Both gum contouring and crown lengthening are minimally invasive procedures that lead to little or no discomfort. Using anaesthetic, a small amount of gum is removed from around the tooth or teeth being treated. In a crown lengthening procedure, the dentist may also need to remove some excess bone around the tooth as well to create a better situation for the tooth restoration.
After the gum and bone are removed, the treatment area is sutured and may be held by a dressing to protect it in the initial healing period. After a week, patients will have their healing reviewed and the sutures removed in a short visit. If the treatment was to prepare for a crown, there will typically be a two or three month waiting period before beginning that treatment.
For the first couple of days after treatment, patients will be required to closely look after their gums and mouth to allow for healing. This involves avoiding hot foods or rinsing the mouth for the first 24 hours, as these can prolong any bleeding. To ensure healing can progress, patients should stick to a soft food diet for the first couple of days, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding any foods that are hard, acidic, sticky or overly chewy.
Patients should use their toothbrush very gently around the affected areas, and do their best to chew on the opposite side of the mouth away from the treatment site. Dressings should be left in for the first 7 to 14 days without being disrupted, and patients should avoid using straws, pulling their lip to assess the site or playing with the area.
Every patient deserves to feel happy with their smile. With a variety of cosmetic dental treatments available, we strive to leave every patient satisfied and smiling. With decades of combined dental and cosmetic treatment experience, we will ensure a tailored plan to suit your needs.
We welcome all new patients from across Melbourne and interstate looking for the highest standard of care. Book in an obligation-free consultation today to find out how we can help you begin your smile transformation.
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