Esthetic Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smile Correction

Treatment details: Esthetic Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smile Correction

When a gummy smile comes from the gum sitting low over teeth that look short, moving the lip alone does not solve it. Reshaping the gum margin exposes more of the natural crown, so the ratio of tooth to gum in the smile changes without anything being added to the teeth themselves. How far the margin can be moved is decided by the bone level and the position of the attachment, which is why the preoperative radiograph and oral examination come first. The one month photograph shows the gum after the initial healing has settled. The tissue continues to mature over six to eight weeks, and the final contour is judged then.

The gums bleed slightly and feel sore and swollen for the first few days, with discomfort when brushing or eating firm food, and healing of the gum margin continues for several weeks. Teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold for a time and look longer than before. The gum line can recede further, rebound, or heal unevenly between teeth, and refinement is sometimes required. Dental imaging and an oral examination precede treatment. Infection is uncommon.