Gummy Smile Laser Lift

Patients may have, or may know someone who shows a lot of their gums when they are laughing, speaking or smiling. This is what is commonly known as a “gummy smile.” A gummy smile can be unaesthetic for people who have very visible gums in their natural smile position. The good thing to know is that this is not a pathology or disease, but mainly an aesthetic concern. Treatments range from surgery, to Botox of the three lip elevator muscles.  

Alternatively, lasers have been used to effectively treat a gummy smile using a diode laser. A gummy smile lift is performed at our office with a device that uses laser technology to trim and contour away the excess gums. There is no bleeding, no downtime, and in two to three days the gums appear healed and in their final resting state.

Not everyone is a good candidate for the laser treatment of gummy smile. This is primarily for patients that do not have a skeletal involvement as the reason for their gummy smile, and who do not have hypermobility of the upper lip causing the gummy smile. Candidates for the laser smile lift are generally those with excessive gum growth that drapes over their natural teeth. This generally occurs while the permanent teeth are erupting, medicine induced overgrowth, or a byproduct of orthodontic treatment.

The process involves a local anesthetic which makes the gums comfortable during the treatment, so you stay relaxed and pain free during the procedure. The laser is used to contour the gum tissue to its most biologically favorable position, all the while maintaining utmost aesthetics.

There is no physical downtown, however, the gums still need a recovery period which is approximately 72 hours as the gums take their final resting position. However, patients are able to go to work, eat, smile, laugh, brush and floss their teeth immediately after treatment.

Excessive gum growth over teeth is not only an aesthetic concern for many people, but also a reason for gum disease, bleeding gums, and bad breath. As the gums grow heavily over the teeth, they create a pocket where food and debris get caught causing bacterial growth below the gum line. Patients may have associated with their gummy smile, active gum disease which is not favorable to oral and overall health.

Following the treatment, we recommend seeing your dental hygienist for regular follow up cleanings or “maintenance” of the gums every three to four months, as well as using antiseptic over the counter mouth rinses, daily brushing as well as flossing. This not only ensures the treatment stays effective longer, but that your gum health is well-maintained.