Natural Smiles • Mar 20, 2017
Admit it. When you see someone with a beautiful smile, you notice it.
Our smiles positively impact our social, business, and romantic situations.
When you smile, you look good. When others see you smile, they smile too.
Some studies have even borne out that smiling can be good for your health! Smiling has been associated with reducing stress hormone levels and increasing levels of mood enhancing hormones. It has also been connected to lowering blood pressure.
It goes without saying that if you’re not happy with the way your smile looks, you won’t smile as much. If you don’t smile, you miss out on some of those health benefits.
The beauty of your smile depends on a lot more than just how your teeth look. Your gums — whether they rest too high or too low on your teeth — can have a big impact on your smile and how you feel about it.
Most people think of improving the look of their teeth when they think of what they can do to make their smile better. But did you know that even problems with the gumline can be fixed?
At Natural Smiles in Louisville KY, we can fix those problems with gum contouring.
The Beauty Of Your Smile
Let’s face it you could have straight, white teeth, but if your gumline is uneven, you might not be happy with your smile. Ideally, gums should appear smooth and even and act as a frame for your teeth. It won’t matter how good your teeth look if the frame around them is off.
The Effect Of Uneven Gums On Your Smile
Gums that cover too much of your teeth can make your teeth look too small. Gums that cover too much of your teeth could just be a hereditary issue or a result of a health problem.
Gums that are too high can make your teeth look long. This condition is also called gum recession. It can be a sign of gum disease.
What Is A Gummy Smile?
Does your smile show more gum than teeth when you smile? If so, you have what we call a gummy smile. A gummy smile happens when your lip sits just above the top of the teeth. It gives you a disproportionate gum-to-tooth ratio.
You don’t have to live with a smile you don’t like! We can contour your gums and give you a smile you can be proud of. You’ll be amazed at the change.
What We Can Do To Help
If you have a gummy smile, gum reshaping, also called gum contouring, treatment can help.
When you come in to see us, Dr. Gill will take a look at your teeth and gums and go over with you what she recommends as the right treatment.
Gum Reshaping
Using a special dental laser, Dr. Gill can painlessly remove excess gum tissue. It’s a painless procedure because we use a diode laser to sculpt your gums.
To start the process, Dr. Gill will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. She’ll use the laser to remove excess gum tissue and create a more uniform gumline.
The laser means less bleeding and a reduced chance for infection. The whole procedure can be done in just one visit to our office.
Recovery
The discomfort after a gum reshaping procedure should be minimal. Your gums may be tender for about a week, but you shouldn’t have any problems speaking, eating, or drinking. Ibuprofen should be all you need to manage the discomfort.
Gum Recession Treatment
The opposite of a gummy smile, of course, is the toothy smile. If needed, Dr. Gill can graft gum tissue to your existing gums, covering more of the teeth so your smile looks great.
There may be some minor swelling and tenderness after this procedure as well. It’s normal and will go away in a few days. If needed, you can apply an ice bag to the surgical area for quick relief.
After Care
For quicker healing after a gum reshaping procedure, it’s best to eat softer foods. Don’t smoke, and don’t brush your teeth near the location of the surgery for at least one day.
Call us today at 502-804-5420 for an appointment or use our online form. Let us show you what we can do for your smile!