Gum Appearance and Gingivectomy
If you think it looks like your gums and your teeth are proportionally out of balance when you smile, with more gums than teeth when you look at yourself in the mirror, then a cosmetic dentistry treatment may be a viable solution for you.
A gummy smile is not considered a health or hygiene risk, but it can become an issue if you are uncomfortable with your gum-to-teeth ratio. Your dentist can suggest several options that will help if you want to change your gummy smile.
Causes for a Gingivectomy Procedure
Your dentist will first diagnose exactly why your gums are showing more than your teeth. Several factors can cause this imbalance issue, with the most common being tooth size, upper lip size and movement, overbites, and any overgrowth of your gums.
Your dentist takes X-rays, determines your specific ratios of gum-to-tooth and jaw line, and checks your lip movement. These tests help determine the best option for you.
A gingivectomy, also called a crown lengthening, is a simple oral surgery that is the removal of excessive gums in a minimally invasive method. This procedure reduces tissue overgrowth and improves the appearance of your teeth by removing the excess gingiva.
It is best to wait until you are an adult before getting a gingivectomy. A gingivectomy is the foremost treatment choice to make your smile look balanced.
This is also true if you have been taking medication, like blood pressure pills, or have undergone hormonal changes, like pregnancy gingivitis, which will cause your gums to become bigger. You might just be concerned because your teeth look short.
Having a gingivectomy rather than a more expensive aesthetic procedure is less intrusive and more cost-effective. If the treatment is done with a dental laser, you will notice striking results on the same day.
A gingivectomy, or a gum lift, simply removes excessive gum tissue around your teeth, making them look longer. You will not have to worry about a scalpel if your dentist uses a laser to remove the tissue and reshape it, resulting in a better tooth-to-gum ratio.
What are the Benefits of a Gingivectomy?
Gingivectomy will offer a variety of benefits. The procedure will:
- Remove excessive or overgrown gum tissue.
- Correct your gummy smile.
- Reduce harmful oral bacteria.
- Eliminate periodontal pockets around the teeth.
- Make brushing and flossing more effective, allowing you to reach problem areas easier.
- Help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
The Gingivectomy Procedure
A gingivectomy takes between 30 minutes to one hour, based on the amount of gum tissue being removed.
Minor treatment involving one tooth or just a few teeth will be completed in one appointment. More substantial gum contouring may need several visits, mostly if your dentist intends to let one area heal before proceeding to the next.
Here are the steps to a gingivectomy:
- First your dentist administers a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area.
- The dentist does a soft tissue incision with a dental laser or a scalpel to remove specific gum tissue.
- Your dentist will also use a suction tool to remove any extra saliva from your mouth.
- The dentist may finish with a laser to vaporize excess tissue and to sculpt the gumline once the tissue has been removed.
- When finished, to enhance the healing process, your dentist applies a soft dough-like substance and bandages for protection.