Lift or gum cosmetic surgery

Many people assume that only the teeth should be fixed when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, but in reality, the gums play a big role too. In fact, overly visible gums can negatively impact the appearance even more than slightly out-of-place teeth! When this happens, gums that cover a large portion of the teeth can make the teeth appear small and uneven, preventing the creation of an attractive smile. To address this issue, there’s a cosmetic dental surgery called Gum lift surgery.

What is Gum Lift Surgery?

Gum lift surgery, also known as gum contouring, is a cosmetic dental procedure that primarily focuses on improving the appearance of the gums. Specifically, it involves reshaping the gum line to reveal more of the teeth, helping to create a balanced and beautiful smile. As a result, this surgery can make the teeth appear longer and more even. In many cases, it is used to correct a gummy smile or address uneven gums. Moreover, reducing excess gum tissue not only enhances aesthetics but also makes cleaning the teeth easier, which in turn may help prevent gum disease.

Common Dental Issues Addressed

Gum lift surgery can fix several common dental issues.

Gummy Smile

A gummy smile occurs when too much gum tissue shows when you smile, making your teeth appear smaller. Fortunately, gum lift surgery can correct this issue by removing the excess gum tissue. As a result, you’ll achieve a more balanced and attractive smile. In addition, this procedure enhances not only your smile’s appearance but also your overall confidence.

Uneven Gum Line

Uneven and asymmetrical gum lines can make your smile look unbalanced. This imbalance can occur naturally or as a result of gum disease. To address this, gum lift surgery reshapes the gums to create a smooth, even line. As a result, this improves the harmony of your smile and significantly enhances its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, the procedure not only boosts your appearance but also contributes to a more confident, polished smile.

Gum Hypertrophy

Gum hypertrophy is the overgrowth of gum tissue, which can cover a large portion of your teeth. As a consequence, this condition makes it difficult to clean your teeth properly, increasing the risk of gum disease. Gum lift surgery removes the excess tissue, making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene and improving the overall look of your smile.

Types of Gum Lift Procedures

There are two main types of gum lift procedures: laser gum lift and surgical gum lift.

Laser Gum Lift

A laser gum lift uses a special laser to remove excess gum tissue. This method is quick and causes little discomfort. Moreover, it is less invasive and often has a shorter recovery time. Also, the laser precisely targets the gum tissue, and minimizes bleeding and swelling.

Laser Treatment

Surgical Gum Lift

A surgical gum lift includes two types: gingivectomy and crown lengthening.

Gingivectomy

Gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue to improve the smile. This procedure is effective for reducing a gummy smile.

Gingivectomy (Image Source)

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening reshapes both the gum and bone to expose more of the tooth. So, this method is useful when more tooth surface is needed for procedures like crowns or fillings.

Crown lengthening (Image Source)

Note: Your dentist will help you choose the best option for your needs.

Gum Lift Surgery Procedure

The gum lift procedure starts with an initial consultation and assessment. During this stage, the dentist will examine your gums and discuss your goals. Following this, pre-surgery preparation includes important instructions on diet and medication. On the day of the surgery, local anesthesia will be administered to numb the gums. Throughout the procedure, the dentist will carefully remove and reshape any excess gum tissue. If necessary, they will use sutures to aid in the healing process. After the surgery, the patient will receive detailed care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. For a more comprehensive explanation, each step of this procedure is thoroughly explained in our blog called “Gum Lift Surgery Procedure and Aftercare“.

Recovery and Post-Care

Recovery from gum lift surgery is usually quick. In fact, most people recover within a week. However, it’s normal to experience some swelling and discomfort during this time. Fortunately, pain can be managed with medications. As for your diet, a soft food diet is recommended for a few days, and additionally, it’s best to avoid spicy or crunchy foods to aid the healing process.

Other recommendations include:

• Keep your mouth clean by gently rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash.
• Brush and floss carefully around the surgery area.
• Follow-up appointments with your dentist are essential. They will check your healing progress and address any concerns. Read More in this blog.

Benefits of Gum Lift Surgery

Improvement in Smile Aesthetics

• Removes excess gum tissue.
• Exposes more of the teeth, making them appear longer and more proportional.
• Dramatically enhances the overall appearance of the smile, giving it a more balanced and attractive look.

Positive Effect on Oral Health

• Removes excess gum tissue that can create pockets for plaque and bacteria.
• Reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
• Eliminates potential problem areas.
• Makes oral hygiene practices more effective.
• Results in improved oral health and a reduced risk of future dental issues.

Safety and Convenience

• Safe, quick, and nearly painless
• Immediate resumption of regular daily activities

Before Vs. After

Who Performs Gum Lift Surgery?

Gum lift surgery is performed by skilled cosmetic dentists and periodontists. Notably, they have specialized training in gum treatments and cosmetic dentistry. As a result, these professionals are qualified to reshape your gums safely and effectively. Furthermore, they understand how to create a balanced and attractive smile. When it comes to choosing a dentist for your gum lift, it’s essential to look for their qualifications and experience. In addition, it is important to trust your smile to a trained and experienced specialist. By doing so, they will ensure you get the best results with minimal risks.

Consultation and Treatment Planning

Consultation and treatment planning are key steps in gum lift surgery. First and foremost, your dentist will create a personalized treatment plan just for you. This process begins with a thorough examination of your gums and teeth. Next, they will discuss your goals and what you want to achieve. In some cases, additional procedures like veneers or crowns may be recommended to further enhance the results of your gum lift. Moreover, your dentist will carefully explain all options and guide you in deciding what’s best. Ultimately, this careful planning ensures you get the best possible outcome for a beautiful and healthy smile.

Final Word

Gum lift surgery is safe, quick, and nearly painless, and best of all, you can resume your regular daily activities immediately. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the outcomes are permanent. In addition, the laser method of gum regeneration offers several advantages. Specifically, it considerably reduces the risk of infection, minimizes inflammation, promotes speedy recovery, and is accompanied by high precision. Moreover, it protects the surrounding tissue from injury during surgery, ensuring a safer and more effective procedure overall.

Dr. Noorbakhsh is here to assist you through the process of getting the outcomes that you have in mind, whether you are interested in gum lift surgery, other dental issues, or cosmetic procedures.

Furthermore, seeing the results of gum lift surgery or other dental procedures can be very encouraging. Visit our before and after photos in our portfolio to review the dramatic changes in gum appearance and others. These examples can help you understand what to expect from each procedure.

You can reach her dental clinic using the information provided below located on Fereshteh Street in Tehran. In addition, you can also visit our Instagram page to learn more about how Dr. Noorbakhsh performs her surgeries on patients and to read the testimonials of different kinds of patients, which will allow you to have peace of mind knowing that you can trust us and that we will be able to give you the results that you are looking for. Just give us a call right now to find out more information about our services. If we weren’t available when you called, you could also reach us by our email address.

References

1. Liu, X., Yu, J., Zhou, J., & Tan, J. (2018). A digitally guided dual technique for both gingival and bone resection during crown lengthening surgery. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 119(3), 345–349.

doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2017.04.018 

2. Ong, M., Tseng, S.-C., & Wang, H.-L. (2011). Crown Lengthening Revisited. Clinical Advances in Periodontics, 1(3), 233–239.

doi:10.1902/cap.2011.110048