Aesthetic Gum Lift
What is gum contouring?
You’ve probably heard of a face-lift – but what exactly is a gum lift?
Aesthetic gum lifting is a cosmetic dentistry procedure which improves the appearance of your smile by removing excess gum tissue to expose more of the crown of the tooth, ensuring the gum line of your teeth is in the best position to complement your teeth. It is commonly done in conjunction with other cosmetic treatments, such as veneers or crowns.
Gum contouring at Elite Dental
Step 1: Consultation
During the consultation visit, a thorough consultation and examination is done to identify your aesthetic treatment goals. Clinical records (x-rays/3D x-rays, photographs, videos and moulds) of your teeth and bite are taken for planning.
Step 2: Treatment planning
Planning your new smile (to ensure a gum and smile line that is in harmony with the rest of your face) is made easier with a process called Digital Smile Design (DSD), so that you can preview what your smile will look like with ALL the proposed cosmetic changes BEFORE starting any invasive treatment. Your DSD will guide all aspects of your cosmetic gum correction as well as any other enhancements.
Since the planning is done digitally, it is easy to tweak the DSD to suit individual preferences. DSD helps to eliminate the uncertainty that is inherent in any cosmetic dental work because beauty can be subjective. Everyone involved (you, your dentist and the dental technician) will be working off a singular vision right from the start.
Because DSD is very precise, the amount of gum tissue that should be removed can be calculated at this stage. The surgical template is simply copied from the DSD.
For very minimal reshaping, this can be done with electrocautery that does not require stitches, produces minimal bleeding and heals rapidly.
For larger volume gum reshaping, you may require surgical crown lengthening that also re-contours the underlying bone. This is usually done by our in-house Gum Specialist (Periodontist).
Step 3: Procedure day
A few days before, a thorough scaling and polishing is done. Most patients also start applying a topical antiseptic gel to the target areas twice daily. An oral probiotic is also given to boost the numbers of beneficial bacteria in the saliva so that healing is smooth.
The gum lift is done under local anaesthetic. If you are having surgical crown lengthening, stitches will be placed in the gums afterward. These will be removed after a few days.
Vigorous brushing or flossing in the treatment area is not advised.
Initial healing is normally complete after 14 days. The gums in the treated area will continue to remodel over 1-3 months, so it is best to delay any other dental enhancements (veneers, crowns etc) until this is complete.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Check out our FAQ section for common inquiries and helpful information to guide you.
What is an aesthetic gum lift?
An aesthetic gum lift is a cosmetic dental procedure that reshapes your gum line to make your teeth look longer and improve the appearance of your smile. Think of it as a “makeover” for your gums.
Many people feel their teeth look too short or that they show too much gum when they smile (sometimes called a “gummy smile”). This often happens because the gums haven’t naturally receded to their ideal position as the teeth developed, a condition called altered passive eruption.
An aesthetic gum lift fixes this by removing excess gum tissue and sometimes a small amount of bone underneath to expose more of the tooth’s natural crown.
Who is a candidate for the procedure?
What is the expected outcome?
Aesthetic gum lift procedures result in significant improvement in smile attractiveness and high patient satisfaction, with stable outcomes in the short term. Both dental professionals and laypersons perceive improved aesthetics post-procedure.
What are the risks and complications?
While aesthetic gum lift procedures are generally safe, it’s important to understand the possible risks.
Gum Recession: Your gums may pull back slightly more than intended over time, exposing additional tooth surface.
This typically occurs during the first 3-6 months after surgery as tissues heal and settle.
Tooth Sensitivity: Some patients experience increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods after the procedure because more of the tooth surface becomes exposed.
Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of infection at the treatment site.
Bone Tissue Damage: In rare cases, particularly with improper laser use or when bone reshaping is required, there can be unintended damage to the underlying bone.
HOW CAN WE
HELP?
Heading to a dental clinic can be a scary and almost overwhelming experience. If you have landed on our website, we would like to extend our warmest welcome to you and your family. There is nothing to fear!
If you require more information about our costs or are looking for ways to save money on dental treatments, arrange for a consultation with our dentists at a time of your convenience.
Elite Dental Group