Aesthetic gum and lip surgery in Sydney

Specialist periodontal surgery, performed microsurgically, to improve both the health and the appearance of your gums, teeth and smile.

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Aesthetic gum surgery with Prof Alex Quaranta

Registered Specialist

Periodontics — Dental Board of Australia (AHPRA) · Clinical Professor, University of Sydney

The problems this addresses

Aesthetic periodontal surgery is used where the gums, rather than the teeth themselves, are what makes a smile look uneven: an excessive gum display, an irregular gum line, recession that exposes the roots, or thin or asymmetrical lips.

Gum reshaping (aesthetic crown lengthening)

The gum, and where necessary the bone beneath it, is reshaped so that more of the tooth is visible and the gum line is even.

Gum grafting

Tissue is grafted over exposed root surfaces to cover recession, protect the root and restore a more even gum margin.

Dental implants

Where a tooth is missing, an implant restores the tooth and the gum architecture around it.

Lip repositioning

A procedure that limits how far the upper lip lifts when you smile, reducing an excessive gum display.

Lip augmentation

Lip recontouring or augmentation is a common procedure carried out to add volume and reshape the lips. It can initially be trialled with a non-surgical, reversible option, which Prof Quaranta will discuss with you at your consultation.

When both the specialist and the patient have enough information about the cosmetic result they are aiming for, a surgical procedure may be the treatment of choice for a longer lasting change. Results vary between individuals and depend on your anatomy and healing, which Prof Quaranta will assess at your consultation.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Individual results vary and suitability depends on an individual clinical assessment. Before proceeding with a surgical or invasive procedure, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Good to know

Aesthetic Surgery — frequently asked questions

What is a gummy smile?

A gummy smile is one where an unusually large amount of gum shows above the teeth when you smile. It can be caused by the way the teeth erupted, by the position of the jaw, or by how far the upper lip lifts, and the cause determines which treatment is appropriate.

Is aesthetic gum surgery only cosmetic?

No. Recession, an uneven gum margin and excessive gum display frequently have an underlying periodontal cause, and treating that cause is part of the same work. Improving the appearance and improving the health usually go together.

How long does it take to heal?

Soft tissue surgery in the mouth generally settles over a few weeks, with the final appearance continuing to mature for some months. Individual results vary and depend on your anatomy, your healing and whether you smoke.

Will the result be permanent?

No surgical result is guaranteed to be permanent. Gum tissue continues to change with age, health and how well it is maintained. Prof Quaranta will explain what is realistic in your case, what the alternatives are, and what upkeep is involved.

Who performs the surgery?

Prof Alex Quaranta, a specialist periodontist registered with the Dental Board of Australia, performs these procedures microsurgically.

Specialist clinical expertise

Based on research and clinical experience

Prof Quaranta is a Clinical Professor of Periodontics at the University of Sydney and has published more than 200 research outputs, over 120 of them peer-reviewed. He lectures on periodontics and implant dentistry to universities, scientific societies and study clubs in Australia and overseas.

Research, publications and speaking

Prof Alessandro (Alex) QuarantaSpecialist Periodontist · Clinical Professor, University of Sydney · PhD, MRACDS, FRACDS

This information is provided by Prof Alessandro (Alex) Quaranta, an AHPRA-registered Specialist Periodontist, Clinical Professor of Periodontics and author of more than 200 scientific publications. Read his full profile.

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