Your mind automatically looks for harmony whenever you try looking in a mirror to see how you look when you smile. You want to have a well-balanced and healthy look of teeth that sets off your face. For many, however, the first symptom that they notice is an excessive amount of pink gum tissue.
This is sometimes referred to as “big gums” by patients. But in the medical profession, it is instead known as ‘excessive gingival display’. Regardless of the word you use, its impact is the same on your face. The gum tissue is a predominant feature of the mouth. It can draw attention away from the teeth and throw off the balance of your face.
A common mistake made by many who have this condition is to make an incorrect assumption. They believe that their real teeth are permanently not big enough. Over the years, because of this, they train themselves to smile with their lips closed to hide the gum line. But the reality is different. Because teeth are, in almost all cases, normally sized. It is the excessive tissue that hides most of their size.
Dr. Dimple Desai at Luminous Smiles in Newport Beach specialises in correcting this imbalance. By means of our highly refined technique called gingival contouring, we can help reshape the gum line and reveal the perfect smile that has been hiding there all along.
The Illusion of Short Teeth
As we’re dealing with removing excessive tissue, it is important to understand how the human eye sees things. On that note, be assured that beauty has a lot to do with mathematical proportions.
A well-balanced smile is when the upper lip rests right at the top edge of the teeth. Only a small pink scallop of gum should be seen. This allows the white enamel to create a focal point in the face. If the gum line comes down too far against the surface of the tooth, this gives a different visual ratio. It causes an optical illusion. The visible area of the enamel is decreased, making the teeth appear short and a bit childish.
Many things can cause this condition. But it’s usually due to genetics. Some people simply have a wider gum line or a hypermobile upper lip so they smile with a more noticeable upper lip elevation. In other cases, it is due to changes in passive eruption. This implies that the teeth emerged normally during childhood, but the gums did not move back to their normal adult position.
Whatever the reason, it takes an artistic eye and a precise hand to solve it. Because it is not as simple as trimming away the excess tissue. It is rather a complete revamping of the whole look of your smile to fit the face you have.
The Single-Visit Artistic Solution
Gingival contouring is a very advanced cosmetic dental technique, used to create a stunning new gum line around the teeth. The transformation that we go through is quick enough to sometimes surprise our patients. Usually, at Luminous Smiles, the results require only one visit.
With an expert cosmetic dentist, this technique can be transformative. Dr. Desai’s methodology is akin to a fine artist. She kicks things off with a detailed examination of your face’s structure. She is aware that the gum line cannot be flat. The shape of each individual tooth needs to be scalloped asymmetrically to look completely natural.
The highest point on this curve is known as the “gingival zenith”. In the case of your front teeth, this zenith should be a little bit off-center to give you a dynamic and realistic appearance. Dr. Desai carefully plans these very angles prior to the procedure. She will assess the symmetry of your face, how easily your lips move, and the bone structure. A lot of planning takes place to make sure whether the finished product will look natural or not.
Laser Technology: Comfort and Rapid Recovery
The notion of altering the contours of your gums can be startling. But the procedure differs from what patients expect. The contouring is done using state-of-the-art dental laser systems that take the entire dental patient journey to a higher level of satisfaction.
With a special laser, Dr. Desai is able to vaporize excess tissue very precisely. The laser molds the area, and at the same time it seals the tissue. This indicates that there is neither any bleeding nor any need for sutures. Additionally, using advanced local anesthesia guarantees that you will be fully comfortable and relaxed while seated in the chair.
There is almost no downtime because the procedure is very gentle. The majority of people who come into Newport Beach for treatment return to their everyday life in no time. We follow up with a quick healing check, yet the real magic is in the speedy recovery.
The Intersection of Aesthetics and Biology
True luxury in dentistry is not to give up the looks for healthy teeth. Reshaping the gums can be of great help for both of these purposes.
If there is excess gum covering your teeth, it forms deep pockets between the gum and the enamel. Everyone knows these pockets are hard to clean. Plaque and hazardous bacteria are easily able to hide in these areas, even with careful brushing and flossing every day. If this bacteria remains trapped over time, it can cause chronic inflammation. It also causes bad breath and bleeding gums. And in severe cases, it can lead to destructive periodontal disease that may compromise the bone that holds your teeth in place.
When we carefully take away that extra tissue, the pockets naturally get shallower. We reveal the enamel of the tooth, so your oral hygiene routine can go much more effectively. This allows you to have a routine that is easier to manage.
The Foundation for Comprehensive Smile Design
Contouring is an extremely effective treatment as a single service. When patients finally see themselves with their natural tooth length restored, they can’t believe it. It’s also an essential preliminary measure for our most extensive cosmetic surgeries.
When planning a full smile makeover, it is essential that you take care of your gums’ position and health first. If forced to work around an uneven or excessive gum margin, even a world-class ceramist cannot make effective elongated porcelain veneers. You can’t use luxury porcelain on a poorly shaped gum line, it just won’t look right.
This is why contouring frequently comes bundled with other high-end treatments. Once Dr. Desai creates an even baseline and the gums heal, only then can she blend the edges of the new teeth with bespoke composite artistry. She can also make the veneers unique to match the length and width needed to achieve a perfect look. Additionally, we suggest using this service in conjunction with professional cleaning and whitening so that the freshly exposed enamel will be as bright as the other enamel elements of the smile.
Uncover Your Confidence
There’s a huge emotional load to an unbalanced smile. If you’re always conscious of your gums, it will affect the way in which you present yourself to the world. You catch yourself covering your mouth at dinner parties, and the moment a camera appears, anxiety kicks in. At dinner parties, you might want to try to restrain yourself from laughing, or feel anxious when someone pulls out a camera. You constantly check yourself, sapping your natural energy and charisma.
Your natural teeth will bring harmony to your face the moment you reveal them. It gives you the liberty to express yourself without ever having to think twice. You will have the confidence and assurance that comes with knowing that you look good.
A smile is your personal trademark. It can be a symbol of your achievements and your energy. We use cutting-edge technology and expertise to even things out and give you your natural look back in the best way possible.
Dr. Dimple Desai welcomes you to Luminous Smiles.
Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you find your groove back.
