Cosmetic Gum Surgery
What is cosmetic gum surgery?
Gum tissue can deteriorate or become otherwise damaged due to genetic factors, gum disease or inadequate oral hygiene habits. This weakens the gum and results in an unappealing smile as the affected gum alters the appearance of the teeth. Cosmetic gum surgery is a treatment often used in conjunction with other methods of tooth correction such as veneers, bonding or crowns. The gum surgery focuses specifically on limiting or expanding the amount of visible gum at the top or bottom of the teeth, greatly improving the aesthetics of your smile.
Who can benefit from cosmetic gum surgery?
The problems most regularly fixed by cosmetic gum surgery include a ‘gummy smile,’ in which too much of the gum is displayed while smiling; ‘long teeth’ or gum recession, which creates the opposite effect; a jagged gum line; gum loss; or apparently collapsing gums. Problems with pre-existing cosmetic treatments such as dental bridges, implants or crowns can lead to dark patches, which can also be corrected with gum surgery.
Varieties of cosmetic gum surgery
Cosmetic gum surgery usually falls into two categories depending on the patient’s current smile.
The gummy smile, known more technically as excessive gingival display, involves teeth which seem small in comparison to overextended gums. This can arise due to gradual wear of the teeth from grinding or decay, or as a result of natural factors such as a long upper jawbone or short upper lip. The surgery in this case reduces excess gum tissue and any unnecessary bone in order to create a regular gum line and extend the visible surface of the teeth to a more natural looking length. This is accomplished with a laser, and antibacterial mouthwash is prescribed in the weeks after surgery.
A long tooth smile or gum recession results in teeth that appear abnormally long, with less gum showing than usual. Not only can this affect the smile and self-confidence, but gum recession can also cause heightened root sensitivity and can even lead to tooth loss over time. The sensitivity is increased by revealing the root surface which should be covered by the gums. Surgery for a long tooth smile involves taking tissue from the roof of the mouth and grafting it onto the gum line for reinforcement of thin gums and to bulk up receded gums. This treatment has advanced in recent years, both in terms of aesthetics and comfort.
How much does cosmetic gum surgery cost?
The costs of cosmetic gum surgery will depend on numerous factors including geographical location and the specific dentist, but the most important variable is the extent of your gum and tooth damage. Depending on severity, the cosmetic dentist may recommend a combination of methods to best treat the conditions, notably veneers or crowns as a supplement to the gum surgery. This will raise the price but will produce the best and most reliable results in certain cases. The amount of the gum line to be treated is another important factor. Make sure to discuss all facets of the procedure with your dentist. A rough guide is between $500 and $2000.