Gum Contouring / Gummy Smile
rockford, illinois

Gum contouring is a common procedure that reshapes your gum line. The gum contouring process removes any excess gum tissue around your teeth. Gum contouring is usually an elective procedure, and it will not medically impact your health.

Gum Contouring / Gummy Smile
815 Dental Studio

Gum contouring is a common procedure that reshapes your gum line. The gum contouring process removes any excess gum tissue around your teeth. Gum contouring is usually an elective procedure, and it will not medically impact your health. Instead, it is an elective choice to improve the appearance of the ratio of gums to teeth during your smile.

During your smile, does it appear as if your upper teeth are out of proportional balance with the gum tissue visible. Do your upper teeth seem too short relative to the amount of gum tissue seen when you smile? If the proportions are indeed uneven, you might have an issue called a gummy smile or excessive gingival display.

A gummy smile can quickly have a negative effect on the perception of your smile. A gummy smile can be easily corrected with a gum contouring treatment.

Dr. Anthony and the creative, hand-selected team at 815 Dental Studio focus on bringing bright and healthy smiles to every family we get the opportunity to work with. We offer quality general family dental and cosmetic procedures services. We can manage your entire family’s oral health needs. We are experts in all general dental procedures, from preventative cleanings and examinations to extractions, periodontal treatments, and restorations such as crowns and fillings. We are also skilled in numerous cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, inlays, onlays, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and other treatments to restore and maintain your healthy and natural smile.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of gum contouring for yourself, our phone number is 815-229-1110, and you can find us at 1574 South Bell Road, Cherry Valley, IL, 61016. 815 Dental Studio has compiled an amazing team offering superb dental services in a relaxing environment.

An aesthetically attractive smile is more than just straight, white teeth, but also a balanced ratio between your teeth and gums. A gummy smile shows more gums than desirable. If you are uncomfortable with your gummy smile, gum contouring will easily create a visually pleasing balance between your teeth and gums, allowing you to enjoy an invaluable asset, your smile.

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For your convenience, our team accepts most major insurance plans, as well as financing programs like CareCredit. If you do not have insurance, that is not a problem.

About Our practice

The Gum Contouring Procedure

If you think you may have a gummy smile, visit us at 815 Dental Studio for an evaluation to review your treatment options. Research has documented that a smile is considered attractive when two millimeters or less of gum tissue is exposed. When there is more than three millimeters, it is considered a gummy smile. Our team will evaluate your mouth, teeth, and gums to objectively measure the excessive gingival display and the probable causes. This exam may include impressions of your teeth and gums. We will also want to take X-rays so we can examine the tooth roots and your jawbone.

The gum contouring treatment is performed in our office. Our team will use either a surgical scalpel or a dental laser to perform your gum contouring procedure.

Prior to the treatment, we will explain the procedure. We might draw a line to mark your new gum line. With this you can see how much gum will be removed and how your gum line will be reshaped with the gum contouring treatment.

To begin, we administer a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area. Sometimes, the bone at the front of the tooth's root must be removed to provide the best long-term results. During your procedure, 815 Dental Studio will remove the excess gum tissue and recontour the gumline to reveal more of your teeth. If necessary, sutures might be used to hold the gum tissue in place. The duration of the procedure will depend on the extent of the gum contouring. Gum contouring usually takes an hour or two.

The American Academy of Periodontology discloses that the benefits of gum contouring include increased comfort, an improvement in self-confidence and self-esteem when smiling, eating, and speaking, as well as improved periodontal health.

Is It an Aesthetic Problem Only?

The aesthetic zone, or smile line, which is the percentage of teeth visible when you smile, is determined by several contributing factors:

The 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 appearance will show some gum tissue. The gum tissue visible with your smile line should have an even contour line that is harmonious and runs parallel to your upper lip.

More serious dental health conditions can still be present. If your gummy smile is the result of how your teeth erupted and how your jaw has developed, you could have an improper bite that will affect your long-term oral health.

WE’RE ALL ABOUT
PATIENT SATISFACTION

We are passionate about our patient's comfort, and we are always striving to give you the best experience while you are in our office.

Practice Philosophy

MEET OUR DENTIST
ALISSA ANTHONY, DMD

With unique energy and a positive spirit, Dr. Anthony provides our patients with quality dentistry while making her patients feel comfortable in the dental chair. Her entire team at 815 Dental Studio reflects her smiling, patient-focused and passionate approach to oral health.

About Dr. Anthony

YOUR FIRST VISIT at
815 dental studio

Experts in general dentistry, from cleanings and checkups to extractions, periodontal treatments, and fillings, we are also highly trained in cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening, inlays onlays, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, clear aligners, and other ways to give you straight white teeth.

Your First Visit

Some Causes of a Gummy Smile

There is nothing functionally wrong with a gummy smile. The ratio between the gums and the teeth is a visual issue, and it is only an issue if you perceive it as such. However, it might be from your teeth not emerging correctly from the gums, a condition called delayed passive eruption. It can also happen when your upper lip pulls back farther than it should during a smile.

A gummy smile can also be from your teeth being proportionally small or having become worn down. 815 Dental Studio can improve your gummy smile with a gum contouring treatment. Here are a few examples of some causes:

An excessive amount of gum tissue visible with your upper teeth can be from abnormal eruption of your teeth. Teeth covered with excess gum tissue will look shorter, even though they are the proper length.
Abnormal development of your upper jawbone. If there is a bulging protrusion of your upper jaw within the gum tissue, you can experience a gummy smile.
The upper lip muscle is hyperactive, which makes your upper lip lift higher than normal. This elevated lip movement exposes more of your gums when you smile.

815 Dental Studio is All About Patient Satisfaction

Your total satisfaction begins with our skills and services, and we deliver results with advanced, innovative technology and clinical care. Your comfort and trust in our team and our efforts is essential.

That is why we put an emphasis on a staff of highly capable, energetic, and genuinely nice people. A happy team means happy patients.

Besides serving as the leading cosmetic dental practice in Northern Illinois, improving smiles with implants, Invisalign, veneers, and whitening, we offer general oral healthcare services daily to local families and patients.

We are a young and dynamic team, constantly expanding on our knowledge, our skills, and our dental technology to better serve you. Call us today about a gum contouring evaluation for you. Our phone number is 815-229-1110, and you can find us at 1574 South Bell Road, Cherry Valley, IL, 61016. 815 Dental Studio is a team that you will look forward to visiting for your 6-month checkups. Every member of our team is proud to be kind, thoughtful, and caring.