If you have a gummy smile, then you are probably very aware of exposing too much gum tissue whenever you smile or open your mouth. This may make you feel very self-conscious, and can negatively impact your enjoyment of life. However, there is a simple answer to this quite common problem, and that is to have gummy smile surgery with lasers.
Gummy smiles can affect the upper and lower jaw, but most people find it is their upper jaw that is more likely to be a problem Gummy smiles can be due to several different factors.
- In some cases, a person’s upper jaw bone is much more developed than the lower jaw bone, making it appear as if the upper lip is being stretched whenever that person opens their mouth to speak or smile.
- In other cases, it can be due to the muscles in the upper lip being over-active, causing the muscles to pull the mouth too far back during smiling, giving a smile line that is much too high.
- This condition can also be caused by the gum tissue failing to recede properly as the adult teeth erupt. The teeth remain covered up by too much gum tissue, creating the effect that they are too small for that person’s mouth. The teeth are almost certainly the correct length and merely need to be uncovered with laser surgery for a gummy smile.
Getting Treatment with Gummy Smile Laser Surgery
No matter what the cause of a gummy smile, there is no need to put up with it as there are several different surgical options available to correct this condition. You’ll need to visit our dental office in Houston for a full evaluation so we can determine the reason for your gumminess before working out a treatment plan for you. We may need to take x-rays so we can see the shape of your jaw bone as well as the roots of your teeth.
Correcting a Gummy Smile with Gum Contouring
Using lasers, we can surgically reshape your gum tissue and bone to recontour and expose more of your teeth, making them appear longer and more natural in appearance. Lasers are perfect for minor cases of gummy smiles, but sometimes it may be necessary to use surgery to achieve the desired effect.
In cases of gummy smile laser surgery, the area is first anesthetized before a laser is used to recontour the gum tissue. The advantage of laser surgery is that it helps to seal off the blood vessels, so there is minimal bleeding. You might find the gums appear a little swollen or tender afterward, but any minor discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers. Having minor gummy smile surgery shouldn’t stop you from getting on with everyday activities. After the gums have completely healed, then your smile should look a lot more natural.
If your case is more complex, then our highly experienced maxillofacial surgeon may need to carry out oral surgery to correct this condition. The main benefits of having gummy smile surgery is increased confidence, but gum recontouring can help improve periodontal health too!
