Gingivectomy Treatments -
Gummy Smile

Serving Fresno, Reedley and surrounding areas

Most people with "gummy smiles" feel embarrassed in social situations as they are worried about who notices their large gum line. Cosmetic dentists can alleviate this worry by utilizing various techniques to correct your gummy smile. Through the artistry of cosmetic dentistry, you can achieve your desired smile in just a couple of visits to the dentist's office. Treating a gummy smile does not mean extensive surgery and a great deal of pain; in fact, it's one of the easiest dental flaws to fix.

Many people have teeth that are simply too short for their gums, creating what is commonly referred to as a "gummy smile." Gum contouring can fix a gummy smile by removing extra gum tissue to expose more of the crown of the tooth.

Gum lifts (gingivectomy) involve the removal of gum to make the teeth appear longer and the gum-line appear even. People who have excess gum covering the front teeth and an upper lip that comes up high when they smile, are often self-conscious about their gummy smile. An uneven gum-line can make the teeth appear to have different lengths, which takes away from the appearance of an attractive smile.

The Process

Using a diode laser, Drs. Dennis and Deric Ikuta can accurately sculpt your gum line, crafting the right fraction between gum tissue and tooth surface. First, they will apply a local anesthetic to the gums and remove the extra gum tissue. Then, Dr. Ikuta will use the laser to reshape the edges of your gums that form a smile. The laser vaporizes and closes the excess gum tissue, avoiding cutting and bleeding.

Gum contouring generates a more balanced smile with an even gum line. When your gums are well-contoured, they look healthy, giving you a more attractive smile.

Gum contouring with the diode laser usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes if only a small quantity of tissue needs to be removed. For larger quantities, gum surgery called crown lengthening is required and is accomplished in one to two hours. This surgery involves a four- to six-week healing period.

Once your dentist reshapes your gum line, you can also receive porcelain veneers to further improve your appearance.

If you would like to learn more about your gummy smile and what options are available to correct it, please contact Drs. Dennis and Deric Ikuta, serving gingivectomy patients in Fresno, Visalia, Reedley, Clovis, and Hanford, California.