Cosmetic Dentistry for a Gummy Smile
People want to enjoy a beautiful smile that they feel proud to share with others. Balance and symmetry play a big part in creating an attractive smile. It is aesthetically pleasing when there is balance between the teeth and gums, and when the gum line provides an even frame for the teeth.
Unfortunately, many people have a “gummy” smile, or one that shows more gum tissue than teeth. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry can correct gummy smiles fairly easily. At Wyse Family & Cosmetic Dentistry we offer our Bloomington, IL, patients a wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to address aesthetic flaws and enhance the smile, including cosmetic dentistry services that improve the appearance of a gummy smile.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is the most common cosmetic dentistry treatment for a gummy smile. Gum contouring involves removing excess gum tissues to expose more of a patient’s tooth, and to create a straighter, more symmetrical gum line. Gum contouring brings greater balance to the teeth and gums, and creates a smile that shows off prominent, healthy teeth, instead of excess gum tissues.
Gum contouring can be performed using either a dental scalpel or a dental laser. In either case, excess gum tissues are carefully eliminated until the desired aesthetic is achieved. Laser gum contouring is preferred by most dentists because it provides greater control and precision. Laser gum contouring also provides patients with a more comfortable treatment procedure and a faster recovery. While the laser removes excess gum tissues, it simultaneously kills bacteria, cauterizes the blood vessels, and seals tissues. As a result, laser gum contouring minimizes bleeding, reduces swelling, speeds up recovery, and reduces the risk of infection.
Teeth Whitening
By eliminating excess gum tissues, we can provide our Bloomington patients with a more balanced smile. However, after the gum line is lifted, patients may find that their teeth do not look very uniform. Since a portion of the teeth previously sat beneath gum tissues, they may not match the shade of the rest of the teeth, which have been regularly exposed to food and beverages. To enhance the overall appearance of the teeth and achieve more uniform tooth color, many people opt to undergo professional teeth whitening following gum contouring. Teeth whitening lifts away surface stains and brightens the color of the teeth by up to eight shades.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another good complement to gum contouring treatment. Gum contouring creates an attractive foundation for the teeth, but the teeth may still have their own cosmetic flaws, such as discoloration, dental stains, minor chips, cracks, or fractures, or imperfections regarding their size and/or shape. Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells that bond to the facial surface of the teeth to enhance their appearance. Porcelain veneers are customizable by size, shape, and color, so they allow our Bloomington patients to enjoy attractive and natural looking teeth that are well framed by their newly balanced gum line.
Contact Wyse Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
If a low or uneven gum line is keeping you from fully enjoying your smile, we invite you to talk to the dentists at Wyse Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to find out how we can give you the attractive and balanced smile you desire. To schedule an appointment with our dental team, send us a message online, or call (309) 663-6393.
