If your smile show an overgrowth of gums and you are bothered by it, then you would be a good candidate for a gum lift or gum contouring procedure. If a large portion of your gum is exposed when you smile, the condition is known as a gummy smile. Your gum tissue should be at or just over the neck of the tooth. Although excess gum tissue does not impact your oral wellbeing, many patients are displeased with the visual appeal of short teeth and awkward smile.

The Cosmetic Dentistry Industry

In the last three to five years, dental professionals and oral surgeons have used gum lift (gingivectomy) for aesthetic purposes. Gum lift was developed in the 1980s, but many dental practitioner and oral surgeons did not perform the procedures.

Today, the exact number of gingivectomies were performed are unknown because the procedure is usually are combined with other procedures such as veneers which help protect the teeth after a gum lift. But, now, according to the American Dental Association, over 550,000 procedures were performed in 2005 and 2006.

Types of treatment procedures

A gummy smile can affect the aesthetics of your smile and your confidence. Fortunately, a gummy smile can be eradicated through many forms of treatment options, including traditional procedures and laset dentistry.

Traditionally, gum lifts were performed using a scalpel. The procedure involves removing and trimming the tissue that surrounds the teeth. The remaining part of the gum is attached with sutures. This procedure is effective if you have crooked gums lines that make your smile look misaligned or uneven.

Laset dentistry has become quite popular, and it is a common procedure for gummy smile. Because lasers can be absorbed by melanin and haemoglobin, the soft tissue surrounding the teeth can be easily manipulated during gum recontouring. This will protect and help the wound heal faster. The heat from the laser can result in drying, coagulation and vaporization, which can prevent bleeding and inhibiting pain receptors. The laser can also sterilize the tissue and reduces the need for surgical dressing.

However, the laser is a factor in the cost of a gum lift and gum contouring.

Cost of a gum lift and the cost fo gum contouring

The average cost of a gum lift or cost fo gum contouring is $2000 and could range from $200 to $3000; however, depending on the process treatment needed. The cost fo gum contouring depends upon a few factors, and they vary from person to person. Some of the cost factors include the expertise, grade of practice and location. For gum reshaping, there are no set costs because they are customized to the individual patient.

Other costs for a gum lift

  1. The cost to shape and remove the gum around a tooth can range from $50 to $350.
  2.  The cost fo gum contouring that includes damage or overgrowth around the teeth can vary n cost.
  3. The cost fo contouring includes crown lengthening, which includes extensive gum reshaping and the removal the bone and gum tissue that can range from $1000 to $3000 more or less depending on the labor and expertise.

What is a Gum Lift?

A gum lift, also known as gingivectomy, is a corrective procedure that sculpts and lifts the gum edge. It is normally followed by a crown lengthening, which thins and shape the remaining tissue so that it fit better and look natural.

A gum lift can reshape the upper jaw and even out the tooth and gum ratio. This procedure also entails the reshaping the bones and tissue to form a symmetrical or an illusion of longer teeth, thereby creating a beautiful smile.

Quick healing and less pain are common advantages with laset dentistry, and patients rarely need sutures or periodontal packing. Laser surgery is quick and comfortable, and recovery takes only a few days.

Is gum lifting the same as Gum Contouring?

No. A gum lift treatment can reduce gum exposure when you smile. The procedure us a laser to remove a small portion of the gum tissue from the around the teeth. The procedure is painless, and it does not require sutures and requires few weeks for recovery.

The removable of a portion of the gum with a laser makes the gum shorter and the teeth appear longer, forming a pleasing smile. Laser gum lifting can also decrease the risk of infection.

Gum contouring requires an anaesthetic. During gum contouring, a portion of the gum tissue is repositioned around each tooth by raising the tissue and putting it in a new position. Once the tissue is placed, the sutures are installed. The recovery time runs from range from seven to ten days. The s