Gummy Smile & Gum Contouring
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
A smile is a universal symbol of joy and a powerful form of non-verbal communication that transcends language barriers. Exchanging a smile with someone important in our lives actually changes our brain chemistry, and enhances feelings of positivity, optimism, and motivation. In addition to bringing joy to others, a bright winning smile also pays dividends in the area of professional development. At an interview, a candidate who has a winning smile that conveys sincerity, friendliness and confidence is much more likely to get hired than someone who does not.
Although we all know the importance of having a smile that you are confident in, many people feel self-conscious about the appearance of their smile. This may be due to any number of reasons, such as missing teeth or teeth that are crooked. People who have a gummy smile often feel self-conscious about their smile. A gummy smile is characterized by an imbalanced ratio of gum to teeth, making an individual’s teeth appear to be smaller and shorter than they are. Fortunately, this issue can be easily corrected with a gum contouring procedure.
At Northeast Texas Periodontal Specialists, we are committed to ensuring that you are confident and comfortable with your smile. To learn more about gum contouring and how to correct a gummy smile, please refer to the following. To schedule an appointment for crown lengthening, contact our Rockwall office today at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Gummy Smile & Gum Contouring
Treatment Planning & Procedure
Prior to your gum contouring procedure, an initial consultation will be scheduled, during which we will determine if there is an identifiable cause of your gummy smile or uneven gum line. A gummy smile is typically due to genetic predisposition, but may be caused by any of the following issues:
- Hypermobile or hyperactive upper lip
- Abnormal tooth eruption
- Short upper lip
- Protrusion of upper jaw
- Super-eruption of top front teeth
- Bruxism
- Reaction to certain medications
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Vertical maxillary access
Once the procedure is planned we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you do not experience any discomfort. We also offer several different dental sedation options, including oral and IV sedation to ensure you are calm and comfortable throughout the gum contouring procedure. If gum contouring to correct an uneven gum line is all that is required, this can quickly be performed using a scalpel or soft-tissue laser. Once the desired ratio is met, the procedure will be complete.
For more complex cases, we will begin by making small incisions that will allow us to tease the gums away from the teeth and remove the excess tissue. For most patients, it will only be necessary to remove a small amount of gum tissue to expose the desired amount of tooth; however, for more severe cases, a small amount of bone may also need to be removed if there is extra bone on the tooth. If it is necessary to remove bone, we will do so using a Piezosurgery ultrasonic surgery unit, which uses micro-vibrations to gently cut away the bone without damaging the gum tissue. Following this, we will continue removing excess gum tissue and recontour your gum line until the optimal shape and position are reached.
Once the desired ratio of gums to tooth is met and the procedure is completed your new smile can be appreciated almost immediately. The gum contouring procedure can typically be completed in about one hour, depending on the number of teeth to be treated.
Gummy Smile & Contouring
Worth The Cost?
Because gum contouring is typically performed as a cosmetic treatment, and because the procedure may not be covered under your dental insurance plans, many patients are uncertain whether or not the procedure is worth the cost and time involved. If you are debating whether or not you should have a gum contouring or “gum lift” procedure, it may be helpful to consider the many benefits you will enjoy following the procedure, such as:
- Restores optimum gum position for beauty
- Reduces risk of tooth decay
- Improves your oral health
- Fast and long-lasting results
- Minimally invasive
- Can be completed in one visit
- One of the most affordable cosmetic treatment options
- Increased self-confidence in your smile
Gummy Smile & Contouring
Costs Associated
Gum contouring is one of the most affordable cosmetic treatment options available and can make a significant impact on your sense of self-confidence. The cost of gum contouring or correcting a gummy smile will largely depend on how many teeth require contouring and whether any additional procedures are being performed. If gum contouring is being performed as part of periodontal treatment, it may be covered under insurance plans. If the procedure is cosmetic in nature, costs may not be covered.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments and CareCredit®, which offers 24-monty payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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