Going the Gummy Way
If you’re one of those people who shies away from smiling in front of cameras because your smile is too “gummy”, you’ve probably considered the possibility of laser gum contouring. This process involves the use of a special laser to visually correct and enhance the gum-line, thus making a smile more aesthetically pleasing. While gum contouring is primarily cosmetic and is used to enhance a person’s smile, some people undergo this surgery as part of other necessary periodontal procedures. These may include crown lengthening, pocket reduction, and regenerative procedures.
As with most cosmetic dental procedures, the patient should be in otherwise good dental health and not suffer from any major health issues. Prime candidates for this procedure are those with uneven gums and gummy smiles. The gum to tooth ratio determines the amount of tooth being covered by the gums. A ‘mild’ case consists of 25% teeth length covered by gum tissue, ‘moderate’ is when the gum tissue covers between 25-50% of the length of the teeth and an ‘advanced’ stage is one where the gum tissue covers 50-100% of your teeth. While genetics can account for this problem, individuals suffering from particular health problems, prescription drugs and trauma from piercings also cause gum misalignment.
As opposed to “gummy” smiles, laser gum contouring can also prove to be a solution in cases where the gum tissue is pulled back, which may be a sign of periodontal disease. Additionally, people suffering from an excessive amount of melanin in their gums end up having darker gums which can be cosmetically corrected with the Waterlase laser.
If you’re confused as to whether this is a suitable option for you, a visit to Smilekraft Dentistry can help you decide whether you are an ideal candidate. So go ahead and say cheese in front of that camera now!
