A gum lift, also known as crown lengthening, is a procedure used in cosmetic dentistry to restore your gumline. Wherever you are looking to remove excess gum tissue from your smile, a gum lift could be your solution.
There is different type of methods which your dentist may use to restore your gumline. These include:
- Gum contouring (remove excess gum)
- Gum transplant (add more gumline to your teeth)
Our team has outlined what is involved in these gum restoration methods. In addition, we have identified other cosmetic treatments we offer that may address your gumline issues throughout the procedure.
What is gum contouring?
If you are looking to reshape your gumline then gum contouring may be what you are looking for. Gum contouring is a cosmetic dental procedure which in some cases isn’t medically required. It may be simply carried out to help enhance the look of your gums and smile.
However, each case is different and depends if you are a suitable candidate for the surgical and invasive procedure.
During your treatment, your dentist may provide you with a local anaesthetic to ensure your gums are numb. This way, the procedure may cause minimal pain and aims to be a comfortable process. In addition, they may also mark out your new gumline with a pen as a guide when they remove part of your gum tissue.
Following this, your dentist may use a high-precision laser or scalpel to remove any excess gumline to match or achieve your desired results.
What is a gum transplant?
In some cases, your dentist may advise you to undergo a gum transplant or graft when you have conditions such as a gum recession. Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue around your teeth begins to:
- Wear away
- Recede
- Expose more of your tooth
If your gums begin to recede and are left alone without proper care, your oral health may be at risk. Bacteria may use your weakened gum tissue as an entry point to build up underneath your gum and access the root of your tooth. Therefore, you may be at risk of developing oral conditions such as gum disease or even losing your tooth completely.
For this reason, you may require your dentist to add more gum tissue to treat gum recession. In some cases, your dentist may graft tissue from another part of your body or from a tissue donor. After this, the tissue will be added to your gumline where your gum has receded, or your tooth is over-exposed.
Is a gum lift painful?
Before undertaking this cosmetic dental treatment, you should consult with your dentist first to understand what is involved in the treatment and the risks it entails. Furthermore, if you are allergic to general anaesthesia you should make your dentist aware of this also.
Aside from your dentist administering local anaesthetic into your gum, you may not experience much pain throughout the procedure. However, you may experience some minor discomfort if your dentist uses a pen to mark out your desired gumline.
Following your treatment, there may be a period where you experience some discomfort during your recovery. In this case, you should consult with your dentist so they can provide you with a plan to enhance your recovery.
Smile Makeover on the Gold Coast
If you are looking to achieve a healthier smile, we also offer a smile makeover, which may include a variety of treatments such as:
Through our smile makeover your dentist may be able to enhance your gumline or treat your gumline issues through one of these treatments.
If you would like to see one of our dentist’s to discuss our cosmetic dental treatments, contact one of our friendly practices today. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online 24/7.
