Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments to Makeover a Gummy Smile
The ideal smile should have healthy, white teeth that are supported by a base of healthy, pink gum tissues. Unfortunately, there are many imperfections that affect the appearance of the smile. One common complaint among Dr. John Goodman’s dental patients is excessive gum tissue. Small teeth and low-hanging gums create a gummy smile that can look unhealthy and disproportionate.
Dr. Goodman offers smile makeover treatment, which combines a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures to address dental flaws for our Kansas City, MO, patients. A customized gummy smile makeover can lift the gum line and improve the size, shape, and color of the teeth to completely enhance the smile.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring is the most beneficial treatment for a gummy smile. During this procedure, a handheld dental laser is used to remove gum tissue that hangs too low over the teeth. The treatment is performed using local anesthetic, so patients remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Gum tissues should heal quickly so that patients can resume normal oral functions almost immediately.
Gum contouring lifts the gum line and exposes more of the natural tooth structure to improve the gum-to-tooth ratio. Gum contouring is a very precise procedure; it enables Dr. Goodman to customize treatment and remove tissues across the entire arch or only in areas where the gums are uneven.
Teeth Whitening
When gum tissue is removed, the newly exposed tooth structure is unlikely to be the same color as the rest of the tooth. Prolonged exposure to foods and beverages may have caused some degree of discoloration on the teeth. To achieve a more even color and enhance the overall appearance of the smile, Dr. Goodman may suggest that our Kansas City patients include teeth whitening treatment in their gummy smile makeover.
During teeth whitening treatment, a bleaching formula is applied to the surface of the teeth. We then expose the teeth to a special dental light that activates the bleaching ingredients. Teeth whitening can lift and erase stains from tooth enamel, and improve tooth color by up to eight shades, all in about an hour.
Porcelain Veneers
For some of our Kansas City patients, gum contouring and teeth whitening treatment are enough to makeover a gummy smile. However, many others are ideal candidates for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers completely cover the facial surface of the teeth to improve their size, shape, and color. We are likely to recommend porcelain veneers to those of our patients whose teeth appear small or disproportionate, even after excess gum tissue has been removed.
Porcelain veneers treatment takes place over two appointments. The first step of treatment involves designing the veneers, and removing a small amount of tooth enamel from the teeth so they can accommodate the veneers. Design specifications will be sent to our dental laboratory where the veneers will be fabricated.
When the porcelain veneers are complete, patients will return to our practice and a dental compound will be used to bond the veneers in place.
Contact Us
With smile makeover treatment, Dr. John Goodman can combine the cosmetic dentistry treatments that are necessary to address flaws and give our patients the balanced, attractive smile they desire. If you are interested in perfecting a gummy smile makeover, you may be an ideal candidate for treatment. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more, or call (816) 842-8585 to schedule an appointment.