The color and alignment of your teeth aren’t the only factors to influence the attractiveness of your smile. Your gum line is equally important. If your teeth look short or stubby, you have what’s known as a “gummy smile.” Your cosmetic dentist can reveal big, beautiful teeth using the latest innovations in dentistry.
What is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile refers to having too much gum tissue covering the surfaces of teeth. When there are more than 4 mm of gums visible above your top teeth when smiling, you may have a gummy smile. It can affect the entire smile or only a few teeth.
Various factors contribute to the issue, like:
- Genetics: A combination of small teeth, a large jaw, and a short upper lip can result in a gummy smile.
- Poor Dental Health: Plaque buildup can lead to gum disease, which damages gingival tissue. An uneven gum line can cause teeth to look disproportionate.
- Abnormal Tooth Eruption: Altered passive eruption occurs when teeth don’t break through the gum correctly, which can cause a tooth to remain partially covered by tissue.
- Certain Medications: Some medications can cause enlarged gums, like those used for transplant patients.
Too much gum tissue isn’t just an aesthetic issue. It can also increase your risk of cavities and gum disease, which are leading causes of tooth loss. Fixing your gum line not only gives you a picture-perfect smile, but it also promotes healthier teeth and gums.
Reveal a Beautiful Smile
You don’t have to worry about an invasive procedure to correct a gummy smile. A soft tissue laser sculpts the gum line, eliminating the need for a scalpel or sutures. Gum recontouring with a dental laser offers many advantages, including:
- Improved Accuracy: Your dentist will have pinpoint accuracy, eliminating any room for error for the utmost precision.
- Less Invasive: A soft tissue laser is minimally invasive, so you may not even need any numbing medication. The laser provides quick results, and you won’t have to worry about a long recovery.
- Fewer Complications: A soft tissue laser cauterizes and sterilizes the tissue as it’s removed, reducing your risk of bleeding and infections. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, you’ll experience less inflammation and a faster recovery.
You will never think twice before showing your pearly whites when investing in gum recontouring. You can have a stunning smile without needing complex procedures.
About Dr. Marcos E. Garcia
Dr. Garcia achieved his dental degree from the University of Texas School of Dentistry and continued his education to specialize in periodontics. He regularly continues his education to provide advanced services, like gum disease therapy and laser dentistry. If you’re ready to treat your gummy smile, choose an award-winning periodontist. Request an appointment online or call (361) 992-7641.