Your
smile-line is a combination of the shape and alignment of your teeth and the
relationship of your teeth with your gum tissue. For many people a full
smile with bright white teeth is not possible. They show small teeth with a lot
of red gums. They frequently think that they have short teeth or that their
gums have grown over their teeth. In their own minds, they see their smile as a
“gummy smile” and don’t know that something can be done to give them a fuller,
more cosmetically pleasing smile. An
asymmetrical or gummy smile-line can be easily corrected with gum contouring
through the use of a laser. Compared to the traditional method of using a
scalpel, the laser simply vaporizes and seals the extra gum tissue with no
cutting, bleeding or sutures. There is also less chance of infection through
laser gum contouring as the laser kills bacteria while sealing the gums. The
results are healthy, natural looking gums and a brand new smile.
After discussing the functional and aesthetic
desires for your smile, Dr. James Courey will go through perform a
comprehensive examination and diagnostic procedures to determine the reason for
your gummy smile. Gum contouring is a conservative option—it takes only a few
minutes with minimal discomfort and no bleeding. Smaller teeth can become
larger and larger teeth can become more in proportion with the rest of your
smile-line. Most people resume their normal activities the same day. There are
certain cases where gum contouring or crown lengthening may be used in conjunction
with another dental procedures to achieve the desired smile. In cases that
require a more significant change, cosmetic contouring may be combined with placement
of porcelain veneers, crowns or orthodontic treatment to meet your cosmetic
needs.
Call Dr. Courey’s Manalapan
office to schedule a consultation to meet Dr. Courey and talk about your
desires for your smile.
