Gumlift

 

UPLIFT YOUR SMILE WITH A LASER GUMLIFT

 

In this busy socially adapted world we live in, it’s more and more a reality that people judge each other by their appearance. We only get one chance to make a good first impression. Are you embarrassed that too much gum is showing when you smile? Does this prevent you to smile? Is you gum line very uneven or receding? If so, then gum reshaping (or re-contouring) could easily resolve these problems for you. With technology revolutionizing the way we do dentistry, high end cosmetic dental procedures are now available to every day people, not just for the rich and famous. 

High tech at work for you

Cosmetic laser dentistry is a cutting-edge way to correct gum related cosmetic problems. It is also more difficult for a patient to maintain and manage oral health when excess gum tissue is present. 

An advanced diode laser is used to re-shape or re-sculpt excessive or uneven gums quickly and comfortably to meet the cosmetic needs of the patient. The laser is a special beam of light with which the gum line is gently sculpted or reshaped to get the ideal gum  line that will instantly create a more visually appealing smile. In most cases, you can take your smile from good to great in just one visit. 

Complications are rare, and at most a patient may experience minor tenderness and swelling for up to one week. The discomfort should be minimal however, and will not interfere with daily activities such as speaking, eating, or drinking.

 

What is a “gummy” or “horsey” smile

A “gummy or horsey smile” is one of the most common conditions treated by laser.  Your smile is made up of lips, teeth and gums. They should all be in harmony. Excess gum tissue can create the appearance of short teeth. This will give your mouth an imbalanced, gummy look and a smile that is more red than white.  A “gummy” or uneven smile can make your teeth seem almost secondary in appearance to your gums, making your teeth look short and unattractive. Sometimes, too, an uneven gum line can make your teeth seem slanted or unusually sized or shaped.    

With the ease and comfort of a laser, gums can be re-contoured to reveal a more appealing smile. Gum re-contouring is a safe, comfortable procedure. The dentist will first numb the gums with anesthetic. Then, with a laser, he or she will gently re-shape the gum line, sculpting excessive and uneven tissue away. It also immediately seals the tissue, helping the patient to heal faster and more comfortably. Lasers cauterize while they cut, which means less bleeding and a dramatically reduced chance of infection for patients. This procedure can be completed in a single office visit.

Sometimes all that may be required is to contour the gum tissue to a more esthetically balanced appearance. This is called a simple cosmetic gum lift. Of course, there are times when contouring the tissue alone is not enough. In those circumstances the bone at the front of the root may have to be reduced surgically.

 

What are the causes of a “gummy smile” or excess gum tissue?

The shape of the patient’s mouth can sometimes bare more of the gum tissue than is visible in the average person’s mouth. Although the excess gum tissue is normal and healthy, it will make your smile look abnormal.

Overgrowth of gum tissue can also be caused by irritation, medication, medical problems and bad habits such as grinding or bruxing of teeth. Overgrowth of gum tissue can also be caused by the irritation from braces during orthodontic treatment, in spite of proper oral hygiene.

Nasal or adenoid problems can lead a patient to breathe through the mouth, especially at night. This habit dries out the gum tissue, leaving it susceptible to disease and overgrowth.

Medication such Dylantin (anti-epileptic), used for seizures and Cyclosporine, an immuno-suppressant to prevent rejection of tissue grafts  or organ transplants, can also lead to gum tissue overgrowth.

Crown or  tooth lengthening

During cosmetic procedures the dentist often needs to correct the level of the gum before veneers or crowns are made. This procedure is called crown or tooth lengthening. Tooth lengthening is the dental equivalent to trimming cuticles. A periodontist or skilled cosmetic dentist shifts your gums to a position that reveals more of your teeth and less of your gums. 

Usually this procedure is done with a scalpel and sutures (especially if bone level needs to be adjusted as well), and takes six to eight weeks of healing before your veneers or crowns can be made. The gum around teeth can be reshaped and balanced quickly and painlessly with laser. 

How will laser surgery benefit me?

Accuracy

Laser surgery is a precise and effective way because it can treat a focus area.  Surgical lasers are more accurate than a scalpel, and allow the dentist to conserve as much soft tissue and bone as possible. 

Safety and Comfort

Laser surgery is seeked out by individuals looking for extreme safety and comfort. Because of the precise focus with the laser, damage to surrounding areas is greatly reduced. Because dental lasers use a high-energy light beam, blood loss is minimized by the lasers beam aiding in clotting of exposed blood vessels.
 Another benefit of the high-energy light beam is it sterilizes the area being worked on reducing bacterial infections. Soft tissue lasers are considered safe for both adults and children.

 

Gum reshaping can be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic dentistry treatments. If you have a gummy or uneven smile, a great option to enhance your smile may be laser gum re-contouring or “gum lift”. It’s a quick, easy, and painless way to recanter the shape of your gum line to enhance your smile. 

Laser treatment, the newest, most comfortable, and fastest healing of all the gum surgery options, is becoming a more and more popular dental procedure today and will continue to grow at a high rate in the future.