If you are interested in enhancing the natural beauty of your smile, you probably know about procedures to improve the shape, size or color of the teeth. But don’t forget about your gums — an even, symmetrical gumline that beautifully frames your teeth plays an important role in your smile’s overall appearance. If you are self-conscious of uneven, asymmetrical or prominent gums that cover up too much visible tooth structure (i.e., you have a “gummy smile”), a gum lift with the team at La Jolla Family Smile Design may be the perfect long-term solution.
How the Gum Lift Works
A gum lift removes and trims the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Removing and reshaping the gum tissue makes the gums look shorter and the teeth look longer. Improving the balance between gum tissue and visible tooth structure can boost the brilliance of your smile and make you feel more confident sharing your smile with the world.
Dentists used to perform gum lifts with scalpels, but nowadays we use state-of-the-art lasers to shape the tissue. Lasers are extremely precise and allow us to meticulously contour your gums. The heat from the laser also coagulates bleeding as the laser vaporizes gum tissue, so your gums are able to heal faster without sutures. There is generally less bleeding and post-operative discomfort after laser gum lift than with traditional gum lift.
Gum Lift Treatment Details
Gum lift can be easily completed during a single visit with our dentists. We will begin by discussing your goals and taking some measurements of your teeth so we can determine the right amount of gum tissue to remove. We will numb your gums so you do not experience any discomfort during treatment. Then, we will use our state-of-the-art soft tissue dental laser to carefully remove small amounts of gum tissue and reshape your gumline. Our dentists work meticulously to produce even, symmetrical results. When we are finished with the gum lift, you should notice a perfect proportion of gum tissue to tooth structure showing when you smile.
As the numbing medication wears off, you may have very minor discomfort that can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication. We recommend eating soft foods and using care when brushing and flossing for the first week after your gum lift. We may also prescribe a special mouthwash to help keep your gums clean as they heal.
Additions to Your Gum Lift
Your gum lift can be combined with other treatments if you desire a more comprehensive transformation. For example, you may opt to combine gum lift with teeth whitening to brighten up your smile; or, you may be interested in a gum lift combined with the placement of porcelain veneers on your front teeth. The cosmetic dentistry experts at La Jolla Family Smile Design can design a customized treatment plan for you based on your aesthetic goals and needs.
Learn More About Gum Lift
For more information about rejuvenating your smile with gum lift or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, La Jolla Family Smile Design invites you to schedule a consultation at our practice. Call 858-454-3044 or email us today to request an appointment.
