Have a Gummy Smile? A Cosmetic Dentist in Springfield, IL Can Treat You

You may have encountered people who have more gums than teeth when they smile, or you may be that person. This condition is called a gummy smile, and it can make the upper teeth become partially hidden. Normally, the upper lip should sit just above the top of the teeth when smiling. With gummy smiles, however, there is an excessive display of the upper gum. There is no reason to be alarmed as this condition can be treated by a dentist in Springfield, IL with a procedure called gum contouring or gum reshaping.

Causes of a Gummy Smile

There are a few things that may cause a gummy smile. It can be due to an irregular eruption of teeth, where the teeth are the proper length but are covered by excessive gum tissue. It can also be due to the muscle that controls the movement of the upper lip, which may be hyperactive and is causing the upper lip to rise higher than it should. It could also be that the upper jaw bone just developed in a way that caused the gummy smile.

Gum Contouring or Reshaping

Gummy smiles can be corrected in a number of ways, and the method to use would depend on the severity of the case. In general, the procedure is called gum contouring or gum reshaping. If there is only a small amount of gum tissue that needs to be adjusted, then a soft tissue laser can be used to correct the gums. On the other hand, greater levels of gum tissue may require surgical sculpting.

Most people opt for gum contouring to improve their smile, but the procedure is not often done for aesthetic reasons alone, but for health concerns. Gum contouring can be done as part of a set of procedures that may include pocket reduction, regenerative procedures, and crown lengthening, to name a few.

Everyone wants to have that perfect smile, and their gums may be preventing them from achieving that. Those who suspect that they have a gummy smile should consult a practice that offers cosmetic dentistry in Springfield, IL, such as Advanced Dental Care of Springfield. Dentists who are experienced in various cosmetic procedures, including gum contouring, would be able to determine the severity of your case and would know how best to correct it.

For more information about correcting a gummy smile and how Dr. VanderMolen and Advanced Dental Care of Springfield can help you, contact us at (217) 717-4551 or info@smilespringfield.com

(Source: Hiding your smile because of your gums? The Community Voice, May 23, 2014)