Smiling is a nonverbal method of communication. A smile can let others know so much about you. However, if you’ve got a gummy smile, you may not want to show it off.
But there’s no need to miss out on showing the world when you’re happy. At The London Smile Clinic, we have a range of treatment options that will restore the confidence you have in your beautiful smile.
One of the most effective ways to correct a gummy smile is to have a surgical gum lift. This relatively simple cosmetic procedure can dramatically enhance the balance of your gums.
Let’s take a look at this procedure in more detail.
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is one where your gums appear disproportionately large in comparison to your teeth. In many cases, a smile may appear gummy when your lips sit too high, revealing more of your gum line.
There are several potential causes of gummy smiles. These include:
- Genetics—The size and shape of your gums may run in your family.
- Gingival hyperplasia—This is when your gum tissue becomes enlarged. The condition can be brought on as a side effect of certain medications.
- Maxillary excess—This is when your jaw is overgrown.
- A hyperactive lip muscle—If your upper lip rises too high, it can expose your gums.
The good news is that gummy smiles can be addressed by having a surgical gum lift.
What Can You Expect From a Surgical Gum Lift?
As with any cosmetic treatment carried out at The London Smile Clinic, the process will start with an initial consultation. During this appointment, we’ll talk to you about your teeth, your gums, and any insecurities you may have about your smile.
We’ll then take some images of your teeth and gums so that we can carefully plan the treatment you’ll receive.
When it comes to carrying out the surgical gum lift, we’ll decide on how much gum we’ll be removing. We’ll let you know, so you’ll have an idea of what your gums and smile will look like after treatment.
Under local anaesthetic, we’ll carefully begin reshaping the gums. This will be skilfully carried out by our expert cosmetic dentist, Dr. Tim Bradstock-Smith.
Recovering From a Surgical Gum Lift
Recovery time is relatively short for a surgical gum lift; however, we recommend that you take it easy for the rest of the day that you have the procedure.
If you do experience any discomfort, this can typically be addressed with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. Aspirin should be avoided, as it may cause bleeding.
For the first few days following surgery, try to eat soft foods and avoid anything that is spicy or that has seeds.
What Other Treatment Options Complement Surgical Gum Lifts?
An alternative to a surgical gum lift is to have laser treatment. This achieves the same results.
To complement your surgical gum lift, you may want to consider veneers or composite bonding. These treatment options will restore the balance in your smile by reshaping your teeth.
Where the positioning of your lip exposes too much of your gum line, Botox injections can be used. These will need to be readministered every three to four months.
Learn More About Surgical Gum Lifts
To learn more about surgical gum lifts and find out whether you’re a suitable candidate, get in touch today.
