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Considering a gum lift? At Levy Goldman Dentistry in Peabody, MA, we pride ourselves on being a premier cosmetic dental practice that offers innovative services to enhance our patients’ health and confidence. One such service that we provide is the gum lift, a procedure designed to address gummy smiles or uneven/atypical tooth shapes. 

If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about your smile due to excessive gum tissue, “short” looking or uneven teeth, or even more gums showing than teeth when you smile, a gum lift could be exactly what you’re looking for. For people who have healthy teeth but feel like their smile is lacking, it might not be their teeth at all, but rather the shape of the gums that frame them.

What is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile happens when there is a significant portion of gum tissue or “gingiva” visible whenever you smile, often overshadowing your teeth. While this aesthetic concern may not necessarily affect your dental health per se, it can impact how you look. In turn, it can affect your self-confidence and willingness to smile around other people, even if it’s just having your picture taken. 

You’ll want to think of your gums as a frame around your smile. When that frame is shaped atypically, it detracts from the picture you’re looking at, in this case, your teeth. Instead of looking at your bright smile, attention is drawn to your gums. In many cases, the teeth look shorter than they actually are or uneven because of the gum tissue coming down too low. 

Thankfully, a gum lift—sometimes called a “gingivectomy” or gum recontouring—can help correct this issue. In as little as one visit, you can achieve a more balanced and symmetrical smile, which naturally improves the way your teeth look.

What Causes Excess Gum Tissue (Gingiva)?

Gummy smiles, or excessive gingival tissue, can be caused by various factors, including genetics, certain medications, hormonal changes, or atypical tooth eruption during childhood. Additionally, gum tissue overgrowth can be a symptom of certain medical conditions. Occasionally we’ll also see gingival overgrowth around orthodontic appliances. Regardless of the underlying cause, having excess gum tissue can make your teeth appear shorter and disrupt the overall harmony of your smile.

The good news is that extra gingiva doesn’t necessarily affect how healthy your teeth are, and treating gummy smiles is relatively straightforward when you work with our cosmetic dentist in Peabody. 

How Adjusting Your Gumlines Can Help?

Our cosmetic dentists can adjust your gum tissues through a gum lift procedure. This treatment creates a more balanced smile and improves the overall appearance of your teeth by evening out the gingiva that frames them. 

During a gum lift, we carefully remove the excess gum tissue and reshape the gumline, revealing more of your teeth and creating a more symmetrical smile. This process can dramatically enhance your facial aesthetics and boost your self-confidence. 

Depending on your smile goals, cosmetic gingivectomies can be performed on their own or in combination with other treatments, such as dental veneers, bonding, and porcelain crowns. 

Gum Lift Procedure: Step by Step

The gum lift procedure typically involves the following steps:

Evaluation:

One of our experienced cosmetic dentists will conduct a thorough examination of your gums and teeth to determine the extent of the excess gum tissue and the best approach for your specific case. If it’s addressing the edges of the gumlines, we’ll create a customized care plan and review it with you. Other alternative or adjunctive services will also be reviewed when appropriate. 

Getting You Comfortable: 

Once you decide to plan the gum lift procedure, we’ll have you come back to our office and numb the area to ensure a relaxing appointment. Local anesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure.

Gum Reshaping: 

Using advanced dental technology and special instruments, we will gently remove the excess gum tissue and reshape the gumline to achieve the desired proportions. Our cosmetic dentists will carefully contour and shape the gumline to create a natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Final Assessment:

After completing the gum lift, we will evaluate the results and make any necessary final adjustments to ensure optimal symmetry and balance. If you’re completing other cosmetic treatments, such as veneers or bonding, we will work to streamline your care experience for as few appointments as necessary. 

What to Expect From a Gum Lift

Following your gum lift in Peabody, you may experience some mild discomfort and swelling. Thankfully, symptoms are minor and temporary; usually, it’s best to manage them with over-the-counter pain medications such as Motrin or ibuprofen and applying cold compresses during the first 24 hours. It is important to follow your post-operative care instructions, which may include avoiding hard or crunchy foods, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water, and attending follow-up appointments as needed. As the healing process progresses, you will notice a significant improvement in your smile’s aesthetics, with a more proportionate gum-to-tooth ratio.



How to Maintain Your Gum Lift Results

To maintain the results of your gum lift, it is essential to practice good oral hygiene habits, including brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily or using a water flosser, and scheduling routine dental check-ups at Levy Goldman Dentistry. Be sure not to scrub too hard when you brush or use a stiff-bristled toothbrush, as this can be damaging to your gingiva and lead to recession. Additionally, avoiding tobacco products can contribute to the long-term success of your gum lift procedure. By taking proper care of your teeth and gums, you can enjoy the benefits of your enhanced smile for years to come.

Get a Professional Opinion

If you’re seeking a fast cosmetic solution for your gummy smile, Levy Goldman Dentistry in Peabody, MA, is here to help. Our experienced team of dentists can help you design a natural-looking, symmetrical gumline that helps your teeth look healthier and more attractive in as little as one appointment. 

Contact Levy Goldman Dentistry today to reserve your no-obligation dental exam. 

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