Solutions
Most of the solutions to the above aesthetic problems are provided through highly specialised periodontal surgery.
These specialist procedures are performed with a micro-surgical approach with the use of magnifying loupes or microscopy and additional surgical lights. Surgical miniaturised dental instruments are also used.
Gum Reshaping - AESTHETIC CROWN LENGTHENING
An aesthetic crown lengthening procedure is performed when there is excess gum tissue in comparison to the visibility of the teeth (aka. Gummy Smile).
A gummy smile can be aesthetically modified via gum reshaping or gum recontouring. During the specialist procedure, excess gum tissue is taken away from the crowns of the teeth to make they visibly appear longer and/or wider. Fine bone recontouring of excessive jawbone is usually required and is often combined with the fabrication of aesthetic veneers or crowns.
Gum Grafting
Periodontitis and peri-implantitis often causes your gumline to recede due to damage of the soft tissue. In this case the soft tissue needs to be reinforced. To do so, a small amount of tissue can be taken from the roof of the mouth (palate) and attached to the affected areas. This will help to reduce further gum recession, cover up the exposed roots of the teeth and cosmetically enhance the look of your teeth and smile.
As an alternative to collecting soft tissue from your palate, synthetic gum tissues can also be used in selected cases and grafted to the area of the recession.
Dental Implants
Dental implants to any part of the mouth are a great, long-term solution for missing teeth. During the procedure a titanium screw is embedded in to the gum in place of the missing tooth’s root. After the screw is implanted a crown is attached to the screw which aesthetically matches your other teeth in size, shape and colour.
LIP REPOSITIONING
Lip repositioning is a specialist complex procedure which is carried out to treat in a comprehensive manner. Many cases of gummy smile are often associated with lip atrophy (Thin lip, see Lip Augmentation). This is done by surgically releasing the lip muscles with tiny incisions inside the mouth. The soft tissue is then sutured (stitched) in a slightly different position to reduce the excessive exposure of the gummy smile.
Lip Augmentation
Lip recontouring/ augmentation is a common procedure which is carried out to add volume and reshape the lips. Often patients choose to have the initial trial done using dermal fillers. And when both the specialist and patient gain sufficient information on how they would like to achieve the cosmetic results, surgical procedure may be the treatment of choice to provide more definitive and permanent results.
