Too much gum tissue showing? Your gummy smile can improve with a gum lift treatment from Dr. Bobby Carmen, Norman cosmetic dentist.
Overgrown gum tissue leaves patients with teeth that look far too short. Excessive gum tissue often interferes with restorative treatments such as porcelain crowns and dental implants, too.
Learn about the gum lift procedure Dr. Bobby Carmen performs in his Norman, OK office.
What’s the big deal about excess gum tissue?
With so much talk about gum recession, why would anyone complain about a gummy smile? Basically, excess gum tissue can be just too much of a good thing.
A gummy smile interferes with:
- placement of porcelain crowns and dental implants
- proper bite and tooth alignment
- correct eruption of permanent teeth
- smile aesthetics
The last item, smile aesthetics, is what concerns most dental patients. So, as either a single cosmetic dental service or as part of a complete smile makeover, Dr. Carmen offers gummy smile treatment in Norman, OK to remove overgrown gums, expose more tooth enamel and give patients more conventionally attractive smiles.
What are the guidelines?
Cosmetic dentists like to see about ⅛ inch of gums showing below the patient’s upper lip, or in other words, about 10 mm of tooth length. Too much gum tissue and too little tooth renders that troublesome gummy smile.
While facial shape, tooth size and configuration and vertical lift of the upper lip all play parts in appearance, the biggest reason for gummy smiles is just too much tissue. And, your Norman dentist fixes it easily with a gummy smile treatment–also called a cosmetic gum lift, gingivectomy, or gum recontouring. This procedure renders a healthier, more balanced look in one in-office procedure.
The cosmetic gum lift
The cosmetic gum lift needs no more than local anesthesia, although Dr. Carmen and the patient may opt for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or oral conscious sedation (such as Valium or Versed) as needed. As a fellow in the Dental Organization for Dental Sedation, Dr. Carmen offers medications just right for patient comfort and relaxation during gum lifts and other dental services.
When the patient is fully comfortable, Dr. Carmen marks off the new dimensions of the gum tissue and uses one of 3 methods to sculpt it to its proper shape:
- traditional surgery
- electrosurge or cutting away of gums with electrical current
- soft tissue laser
Traditional surgery involves cutting and sutures, while electrosurge and soft tissue laser do not. Electrosurge and soft tissue laser cauterize the gums as they remove tissue, allowing for quicker healing time and less chance of post-operative bleeding and infection. Most Norman gum lifts take just one office visit.
Expect excellent results
Dr. Bobby Carmen and his experienced assistants help patients achieve their healthiest, best-looking smiles. Norman gummy smile treatment is just one of the many cosmetic, preventive and restorative procedures this team skillfully delivers.
For a comprehensive smile analysis, contact the Norman, OK office today.