Gummy Smiles and Receding Gums Can Be Corrected with Periodontal Procedures

Chicago - A smile is often one of the first things we notice about another person. Therefore, the appearance of your smile can greatly affect your self-esteem. People who feel they have gummy smiles often hide their smiles. What they may not know is that a simple surgical procedure would allow them to smile confidently.

"Procedures like tooth whitening and bonding have received a lot of attention as cosmetic procedures for the smile. What many people do not realize is that there are also procedures which can be performed on the gums to enhance the smiles of people who feel their teeth appear too long or too short," said Litvin, DDS, a local periodontist and member of the American Academy of Periodontology.

The answer for a gummy smile may be crown lengthening, which is the second most popular cosmetic periodontal procedure for patients under age 50, according to a recent online poll of periodontists. With crown lengthening, excess gum and bone tissue is recontoured to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth to even your gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.

Conversely, some people feel their teeth appear too long. If your tooth root is exposed because your gums have receded, soft tissue grafts can cover exposed roots, reduce further gum recession and protect vulnerable roots from decay.

If you are interested in having the best smile you can, talk with your dental professional. He or she can evaluate your current smile and provide a range of treatments available to help achieve the look you want.