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A “gummy” smile is one in which the ratio between your gums and your teeth makes your teeth look smaller and your gums look prominent. There are several ways in which our cosmetic dentist can help restore a more balanced look to your smile.

Gum Contouring and Grafting

One cosmetic dentistry procedure that helps decrease a “gummy” look is gum contouring. In this procedure, lasers are used to remove excess gum tissue and expose more of the teeth so that the ratio between gum tissue and teeth is more balanced. If there are areas where gum tissue must be added to maintain the proper look, gum grafting is used to move gum tissue from one part of the mouth to another. With a combination of contouring and grafting, your gums can be altered so that they are more symmetrical, giving your smile that perfect look.

Crown Lengthening

Another treatment option for a gummy smile is crown lengthening. This is a more complicated and somewhat more invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure than laser contouring. With crown lengthening, the gum surrounding each tooth is carefully restructured, with tissue removed or lifted and moved into a different position and sutured in place. Bone is often removed from below the gumline to give the tooth the proper shape or to prepare the tooth for a crown or a veneer. This gives each individual tooth just the right look and balance for your best possible smile. In most cases, porcelain crowns or veneers are added to the teeth after crown lengthening for an optimal appearance.

If crowns or veneers are used, the porcelain material is carefully color-matched to your teeth so that you will have a perfectly natural-looking smile after the procedure is completed and full healing has taken place.

If you have a smile that makes you self-conscious due to the proportion of the gumline, call Newton Dental Group, serving Delta and surrounding areas, today to schedule a consultation.