Using cosmetic gum contouring and dental crowns to transform a gummy smile.
About this cosmetic dentistry makeover:
This person wrote and stated that she was anticipating having some cosmetic dental treatment performed. She asked us if we would illustrate how her smile might look if gum contouring (gum sculpting) was performed first so to reveal a greater percentage of her teeth (so to make her smile less "gummy") and then subsequently porcelain veneers placed.
About our approach to this cosmetic dentistry makeover simulation...
Correcting a gummy smile using gum contouring (gum sculpting):
The terms "gum contouring" and "gum sculpting" are used to refer to a surgical procedure where a person's gum line is repositioned so a greater percentage of that person's teeth is revealed. When you look at the upper teeth in the picture above (especially the lateral incisors, the two teeth that lie to each side of the center two teeth) it really does seem that only a portion of the teeth are showing. Sometimes people refer to this appearance as a "gummy smile".
A fair amount of variation can exist when it comes to the precise manner in which gum contouring is performed. And in all cases the specifics of the procedure need to be discussed with the prospective patient by the dentist who will perform the procedure (after the dentist has had opportunity to examine the patient). However, although gum contouring is technically a surgical one a person may find that it is much less involved than they might have anticipated. It simply depends on the conditions presented by the person's precise situation. Each person simply needs to ask their dentist for specific details.
Placing porcelain veneers or dental crowns:
After the gum contouring procedure has been completed and healing has had time to occur the dentist and patient can evaluate the cosmetic appearance of the teeth. The patient may feel that tooth bonding, porcelain veneers, or even dental crowns need to be placed so to provide the cosmetic appearance they are interested in achieving. It is also possible however that the gum contouring procedure alone has provided the only cosmetic enhancement needed and therefore no further dental treatment is indicated.
The person who submitted this case mentioned that they anticipated that they would have porcelain veneers placed after the gum contouring had been completed. The "before" picture above does suggest that some tooth wear and tear has taken place. The biting edges of several teeth seem to be chipped. Possibly this person's upper left teeth have worn down and are now shorter than they were originally.
We have simulated this case to show one way in which the shape and alignment of the teeth might be enhanced. We would anticipate that dental crowns would be needed to make the type of changes we have illustrated (as opposed to porcelain veneers) because of the great strength dental crowns have to offer. But this is a decision that needs to be made by the dentist performing the treatment.
We should also say that our "after" picture takes a fair amount of liberty in the way it shows the teeth being lengthened. Any amount of tooth lengthening that is possible will most likely be dictated by conditions related to this person's "bite". Only the dentist performing this work can advise this patient as to what type of length changes are actually possible.
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