First, let's talk about what a gummy smile really is. There's no scientific measurement or technical definition to go by. Instead, it's more about how you feel and how you perceive your own smile.

When you smile, do you feel like you're seeing more of your gums than you'd like to? Do you believe that you'd love your smile more if your gums were less noticeable or large? Do you tend to hide your smile as a result?

If so, you may have a gummy smile--which is nothing to be ashamed of! That being said, we want you to smile with pride and if our services can make that happen, we're proud to help.

To determine whether or not gum contouring is right for you, it can help to narrow down some root causes. Typically, we're looking at three potential causes of a gummy smile. If you're not quite sure which of these causes applies to you, we can help clear that up when you come in for your next appointment.

If your bite isn't aligned properly, it means that your top and bottom teeth don't come together as expected. Common misalignments are underbites and overbites, although other variations exist.

In some cases, a misaligned bite can cause the top teeth to take the stage when you smile. Because of the forward thrust of your upper jaw, your gums may seem a bit more noticeable than you'd like. 

Every once in a while, we encounter a patient who has a genetic condition sometimes referred to as a hyperactive upper lip. It's not common but it's also not harmful--it may just be a little bit pesky! 

Patients who have a hyperactive upper lip have stronger and more active muscles between the upper lip and nose. That means that when they do things like smile, their lip moves more than they may like. While gum contouring can't address this condition, there are other non-surgical procedures that may help.

Excess Gum Tissue

No, we come to the most common source of the gummy smile: excess gum tissue. For many people who feel that their smiles are gummy, the issue started around the time the permanent teeth were erupting. During that process, the gum tissue experienced some degree of overgrowth, covering more of the tooth than necessary.

Occasionally, this excess of gum tissue occurs later in reaction to an infection. When the gums become infected, they may also undergo noticeable inflammation and swelling. This may not cause a long-term gummy smile and introducing a regular routine of brushing and flossing can do the trick.

Now that we've gone over some of the common causes of a gummy smile, let's talk about what gum contouring is. Gum contouring is a great solution for individuals who have excess gum tissue. It is also, notably, a solution for some patients who have periodontal disease.

What Is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring is a minimally invasive oral procedure. The objective is to trim and reshape excess gum tissue so that it no longer covers more of the teeth than necessary. Oftentimes, we only need to target a handful of teeth and a contained area of gum tissue, making it a quick and simple process.

What Can You Expect from the Procedure?

At Rice & Associates, we can use our laser technology to offer quick, precise gum contouring. After consulting with you about your options, we can get to work right away. We can also use a local anesthesia so that you do not experience any pain during the procedure but don't have to go under.

The procedure tends to take between one and two hours. Afterward, you may experience a bit of tenderness in the gums, but this should only last for a few days. We recommend that you eat soft foods and use a cold compress to reduce tenderness for up to three days.

The dentists at Rice & Assocoiates, along with all of our dental hygienists and assistants, are committed to continuing dental education to stay up-to-date on all the latest procedures and research.

At Rice & Associates, we're deeply committed to our patients and to the wider community. We're proud to be your dental office in Clemmons, NC.

Say goodbye to that gummy smile and hello to smiling with confidence! If you're ready to find out more about gum contouring, we want to hear from you.

To schedule an appointment or consultation, visit our contact page and we'll be in touch right away.