Much like a beautiful frame accents a breathtaking picture, the gums are the frame of a healthy, beautiful smile.
Many people have what is known as a gummy smile with short or stubby teeth. More often than not, in such situations, the sizes of teeth are just fine. The problem is with the gums. There is simply too much tissue and it is hiding the beautiful teeth that lie beneath. Drs. Shumaker and Allen can correct this problem with a cosmetic periodontal surgery procedure such as crown lengthening. In this procedure, the excessive and bulky gum and bone tissue are removed and the teeth beneath are exposed to their full extent. In many cases, this procedure is done in conjunction with a restorative dentist placing porcelain veneers or ceramic crowns after the gums have healed for a beautiful aesthetic result.
Improving Gummy Smiles
Have you ever wondered if you have gummy smile? The next time you are in front of a mirror, smile and closely examine what you see. With a normal smile, you should only see the tips of your upper gum tissue as it extends between the teeth. You should not see any additional gum tissue on the top or bottom teeth when you smile. Confirm this by looking at your favorite magazine. You will notice that when people smile, very little gum tissue is displayed.
In other situations where defects in the gum tissue compromise the cosmetic appearance of your smile, our doctors can help. If you have a bridge replacing a missing front tooth where the replaced tooth appears long or the gum tissue appears sunken in under the bridge, a cosmetic gingival grafting procedure can help. Additionally gum tissue that is discolored by development pigmentation (such as a birthmark) or by tattooing from filling materials such as amalgam, Dr. Shumaker and Dr. Allen can perform a gingival (gum) grafting procedure to hide the discoloration so you can smile with confidence again!
Enhancing Cosmetics
Cosmetic periodontal procedures may be accomplished under simple local anesthesia, just like when you get a filling on a tooth. The procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the number of teeth involved and the procedure needed. If you have been told or think that you have a gummy smile or other periodontal problem that makes you embarrassed about your smile, please contact our office at 970-207-4061 for a consultation, or ask your general dentist for a referral.
