Mountainview Periodontics/Periodontics of Cherry Creek offers many treatments to promote healthy teeth and gums. No matter your age or dental condition, we can help. We provide various services, such as dental cleanings, gum disease treatment, tissue grafts, extractions, and dental implants. We also offer cosmetic gum treatment. If you are wondering if we can fix your gummy smile, the answer is yes! With offices in Glendale and Parker, Dr. Butler and Dr. Riffel can improve your gummy smile with a procedure called Crown Lengthening in Parker and Glendale CO.
Call us today to schedule an appointment.
Fixing a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile is one where too much gum tissue shows when you smile. It can be caused by many things, including the length of your teeth, the shape of your jaw, or the muscles in your face. Whatever the cause, a gummy smile can be embarrassing and make you self-conscious about smiling.
Fortunately, there is a procedure called crown lengthening that helps fix a gummy smile in many instances. Sometimes additional treatment is needed beyond crown lengthening so Dr. Butler and Dr. Riffel can let you know the ideal treatment recommended after examining your teeth and gums.
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that involves removing some of the gum tissue and underlying bone around the teeth to expose more of the tooth structure. We can do it for both aesthetic and functional reasons.
If you are unhappy with your gummy smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Maryanne Butler, Dr. Amy Riffel, and the Mountainview Periodontics/Periodontics of Cherry Creek team. Our treatments can help you with dental stability, function, and aesthetics, giving you the beautiful, confident smile you’ve always wanted.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
Several factors can contribute to a gummy smile. These include:
- The length of your teeth: If your teeth are shorter than average, it may give the appearance of a gummy smile.
- The shape of your jaw: An overdeveloped or misaligned jaw can cause excess gum tissue to show when you smile.
- The muscles in your face: If the muscles that control your upper lip are weaker than usual, it can cause your lip to curl up more when you smile, exposing more gum tissue.
- Injury or trauma: An injury to the face or mouth can damage the nerves and muscles responsible for controlling the lips, resulting in a gummy smile.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications, can cause dry mouth, leading to gum recession and a gummy smile.
- Genetics: A gummy smile can also be an inherited trait.
How Can Crown Lengthening Fix My Gummy Smile?
We can perform the crown lengthening procedure at our state-of-the-art dental facilities in Colorado. The process is typically done using local anesthesia to numb the area being treated.
First, Dr. Butler or Dr. Riffel will make small incisions in the gum tissue around the teeth to be treated. Then, they will gently pull back (reflect) the gum tissue and remove any excess bone or gum tissue until the desired amount of tooth structure is exposed. Once they have achieved the desired result, they will suture (stitch) the gums closed at a new level that exposes more of your teeth.
Recovery from Crown Lengthening Surgery
After surgery, it is normal to experience some swelling and soreness in the treated area. Our team will give you specific instructions on caring for your mouth after surgery and what pain medications to take if needed. It is essential to follow these instructions carefully to ensure proper healing. Most people recover from crown lengthening surgery within one to two weeks without complications.
Crown Lengthening in Parker and Glendale, Colorado
A gummy smile can be embarrassing and make you self-conscious about smiling. Fortunately, a procedure called crown lengthening can fix a gummy smile by removing some of the gum tissue and bone around the teeth to expose more of the tooth structure. If you are unhappy with your gummy smile, talk to our team about whether crown lengthening is right for you!
You deserve a healthy mouth, and we can help you get there. Our experienced team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs. We want to see you smile!
