Gummy Smile & Gum Contouring
in Loves Park IL
Gum contouring is a simple and common procedure that reshapes and sculpts your gumline. The gum contouring process removes excess gum tissue around your teeth. Gum contouring is quite often an elective procedure. The treatment will not medically improve your health. It most often is performed electively to improve the appearance of the balance and ratio of gums and teeth during your smile.
Does it seem like your upper teeth are out of proportion with too much gum tissue when you smile. Do your upper teeth seem short relative to the amount of gum tissue visible? If the proportions are indeed out of balance, you might have an issue called a gummy smile, or excessive gingival display.
A gummy smile can affect the perception of your smile negatively. A gummy smile can be easily corrected with gum contouring.
At Riverside Dental Center, we value our patient relationships, making it our priority to deliver gentle and compassionate care that you deserve from your dentist in Loves Park. We collectively focus on making you feel at ease by providing you exceptional care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere. Our team goal is to develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional and caring staff. The result is a beautiful, healthy smile that will last a lifetime. We also emphasize preventive care and patient education because we want you to understand why it is so important to keep your mouth healthy and how to exercise daily hygiene to accomplish it. We are located at 2028 E. Riverside Blvd., Ste 210, Loves Park, IL, 61111. Please call us today at 815-877-4300 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation of the benefits of gum contouring for your gummy smile.
An attractive smile includes more than just straight, white teeth, but also a healthy balance ratio between your teeth and your gums. A gummy smile shows more gum than is desirable. If you do not like your gummy smile, gum contouring will deliver a visually pleasing balance between your teeth and gums so you can enjoy and share your invaluable asset, your smile.
Looking for quality dental care? Don't wait any longer! Fill out our simple form or call our number to schedule an appointment with our skilled team of dental professionals today.
(815) 877-4300
Causes of a Gummy Smile
There is nothing functionally wrong with a gummy smile. The ratio between your gums and your teeth is a visual issue, and even then, it is only an issue if you perceive it to be one. It could be the result of your teeth not erupting properly from the gums, a condition called delayed passive eruption. It might also happen if your upper lip pulls back farther than it normally should during a smile.
A gummy smile can also be from your teeth being proportionally smaller or having become worn down. Riverside Dental Center can eliminate your gummy smile with a gum contouring treatment that will improve your gum-line. Here are examples of some causes:
- An excessive amount of gum tissue shown with your upper arch might be the result of abnormal eruption of your teeth. Upper teeth that are covered with excessive gum tissue look shorter, even though they are the proper length.
- The abnormal development of your upper jawbone resulting in the appearance of a gummy smile. If there is a bulging protrusion of your upper jaw within the gum tissue, you might experience a gummy smile.
- A hyperactive muscle that moves your upper lip, which makes your upper lip lift higher than normal. With this elevated lip movement more of your gums are visible during your smile.
The Gum Contouring Procedure
If you believe you have a gummy smile, visit us at Riverside Dental Center for an evaluation to discuss your treatment options. Research has confirmed that a smile is considered attractive when two millimeters or less of gum tissue is visible. If there is three millimeters or more, it is then considered a gummy smile. Our team will carefully examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to objectively measure the amount of the gingival display and the probable causes. This exam might include impressions of your teeth and gums. We may also want to take x-rays so we can determine the condition of your tooth roots and jawbone.
We perform gum contouring in our office. Our team will use either a surgical scalpel or a dental laser based on your case.
Before we begin, we will explain the procedure. We might draw a line to mark your new gum line. With this you can see exactly how much gum will be removed and how your gum line will be reshaped with the gum contouring treatment.
We start by administering a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area. During your procedure, your team at Riverside Dental Center will use a soft tissue laser or surgical scalpel to remove the excess gum tissue and to recontour the gumline to reveal more of your teeth. Sutures may be necessary to hold the gum tissue in place. The duration of the procedure will depend on the extent of the gum contouring. Usually, gum contouring takes an hour or two.
The American Academy of Periodontology declares that the benefits of a gum contouring treatment are increased comfort, an improvement in your self-esteem and self-confidence when smiling, eating, and speaking, as well as your improved overall periodontal health.
Meet Dr. Dimke
Dr. David Dimke is a compassionate and skilled dentist who has been serving patients for over 20 years. As the team dentist for the Rockford IceHogs, he understands the importance of precision and excellence in his work.
Meet Dr. Hermanson
Dr. Joshua Hermanson is a talented dentist who is passionate about helping his patients achieve their best smiles. He has a gentle and caring approach to dentistry and is committed to providing exceptional care to each patient.
Meet Dr. Zammuto
Meet Dr. Peter Zammuto, a passionate dentist who graduated from Midwestern Dental in 2015 and has been providing exceptional dental care for 8 years. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve optimal oral health.
Meet Dr. Konieczki
Dr. Corey Konieczki is a talented and experienced dentist who is passionate about helping his patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles. He was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois and is proud to serve his local community.
Is It an Aesthetic Problem Only?
The aesthetic zone, or smile line, is determined by several contributing factors:
- Your gum tissues that are involved.
- The size and shape of your teeth.
- The shape and size of your lips.
- Your facial muscles.
The ideal smile line should show gum tissue. Your gum tissue visible during your smile line should have a balanced, even contour line that runs parallel with your upper lip.
Underlying dental health conditions might still be present. If your gummy smile is from improper teeth eruption or how your jaw developed, you may have an improper bite that will affect your long-term oral health.
Superior Dentistry with A Personal Touch
The entire team at Riverside Dental Center believes that you should have sufficient information to make educated and informed decisions about your oral health, treatment options, and the choice of your dentist in Loves Park. You will find all this essential information on our website, including directions to our Loves Park office, service descriptions, patient forms, patient education resources, and more.
We are located at 2028 E. Riverside Blvd., Ste 210, Loves Park, IL, 61111. Please call us today at 815-877-4300 to schedule an appointment for your dream smile. Let us smile together.