Often enough, people believe smile flaws only come from tooth stains and dental damage. “After all,” they think, “why else would teeth have an off appearance?” However, the truth is that sometimes a smile is too “gummy.” In other words, you might show off excess gum tissue when you reveal your pearly whites. If this happens to be your issue, though, there’s still hope; treatments like porcelain veneers from Rancho Bernardo dentists could solve the problem. To learn more, here are several cosmetic dental procedures that can fix any patient’s “gummy smile.”
Porcelain Veneers
As you might know, porcelain veneers are thin, ceramic layers that dentists apply to the front of teeth. They aim to hide things like tooth stains, chips, cracks, and fractures. Furthermore, they’re customized to match your enamel and thus blend seamlessly with your smile.
One lesser-known use of veneers, though, is to treat gummy smiles. You see, dentists can alter the size and length of these porcelain layers. As such, the treatment could make your teeth look larger, and your gum line seem smaller. The result, then, would be a smile with a balanced appearance.
Gum Recontouring
On the other hand, some patients might not want to make changes to their teeth. Rather, they’d prefer doing something about the gums themselves.
If this describes you, gum recontouring might be the better choice. This treatment uses a special dental laser to remove excess gum tissue from your mouth. In doing so, it exposes more of your natural teeth’s white and shiny enamel.
Keep in mind that this option has a lengthy recovery process. It usually takes six weeks for gums to heal from the procedure.
Crown Lengthening
A crown lengthening procedure could solve a dental injury and a “gummy smile” at the same time.
The lengthening treatment is usually done when a tooth can’t hold a crown on its own. It reduces gum tissue and shaves down bone to ensure the prosthetic is held in place. This process allows a well-fitted crown to stay in place and provide better oral hygiene.
Since the procedure removes bits of your gums, however, it also alters your “gummy smile.”
As you can see, cosmetic dentistry doesn’t just treat obvious issues like stains and tooth injuries. With things like porcelain veneers from Rancho Bernardo, it can even make your gums and smile more proportional!
About the Author
Dr. Nelson Howard is a dentist based in San Diego, CA, having earned his DDS from the UCLA School of Dentistry. He’s also an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). His specialties include preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry and emergency procedures. Whatever your smile needs, then, Dr. Howard is sure to deliver great results. He currently practices at his self-titled clinic and can be reached at his website or by phone at (858)-451-0550.