Dealing With a “Gummy” Smile

Do you have teeth that seem too short, or does it seem like you have a “gummy” smile? For people dealing with gums that extend too far down the crown of their teeth, making it difficult to achieve an aesthetic smile with traditional cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening or orthodontics. For these individuals, crown lengthening might be a better alternative to improving dental aesthetics without invasive surgery. 

Aesthetics of Crown Lengthening 

The most obvious advantage of receiving crown lengthening procedures is the aesthetic change it makes in your smile.  If you feel that your smile is too “gummy”, and makes your teeth look stunted, you may find that this procedure is right for you.

With the removal of a small amount of soft tissue from your gum-line, the teeth of your full upper arch can have their appearance significantly extended. This procedure can even work for a singular tooth that does not match the contouring of the rest of the gum-line.

Functional Benefits

In addition to improving the aesthetics of your smile, crown lengthening can also aid in the restoration of broken or decayed teeth that have damage below the gum-line. If a tooth has a fracture below the gums that has yet to reach the root, your doctor can use this procedure to bond or fill the tooth to avoid further deterioration.

Potential Drawbacks

While crown lengthening is great if you are looking to adjust gum-to-tooth proportions, there is the possibility for post-operatory complications. As with any surgical procedure, the treated gum tissue can become infected if not properly cared for, necessitating additional treatment.

Another drawback of this procedure is that it is unable to fix uneven teeth, or teeth that otherwise require some level of orthodontic treatment to become an even arch.

Highland and Valparaiso Crown Lengthening

If you have a “gummy” smile, or want to find out whether you are a candidate for crown lengthening, call or schedule an appointment with The Periodontal Group. We are proud to serve residents of the Highland and Valparaiso area with the highest quality functional and cosmetic periodontal care.