(I) Aesthetics — No. 04
Gum Aesthetics
Every smile has a frame.
Refining the frame of the smile: balancing the gum line and bringing the visible length of the teeth into harmony with the face.
At a glance
- Sessions
- Usually one
- Duration
- 30–90 min
- Anaesthesia
- Local
- Healing
- Usually 1–2 weeks
Durations and visit counts are typical values; they vary from person to person and become clear after an examination.
If the teeth are the painting, the gum is its frame. Gums that show too much in a smile, a line that runs unevenly from left to right, teeth that look shorter than they are — more often than not, it is the frame, not the teeth.
Gum aesthetics brings together small but delicate procedures that balance the gum line, lengthen the visible part of a tooth where needed, or cover receded gums. It is often the first step of a smile design; everything after it is measured from this line.
The gums must be healthy before any aesthetic work. A lasting line cannot be drawn on inflamed tissue.
Who it is for
- Those who feel their gums show too much when they smile
- A gum line that differs from left to right
- Teeth that look short or square
- Roots exposed by gum recession
Options
- 01
Gingivectomy and gingivoplasty
Reshaping excess gum tissue to restore balance.
- 02
Crown lengthening
Adjusting the gum — and, where needed, the bone — to increase the visible length of a tooth.
- 03
Gum graft
Covering receded gum with tissue taken from inside the mouth.
- 04
Depigmentation
Lightening dark pigmentation of the gums.
The process
Analysis
The smile line, the level of the gums and gum health are assessed.
Planning
The new line is planned from the length of the teeth and the proportions of the face; a trial is made if needed.
Procedure
Carried out under local anaesthesia, with as little intervention as possible.
Healing
The gum settles into its final shape over a few weeks, with check-ups along the way.
—The Dent BB approach
We never draw the frame without looking at the picture. The gum line is always planned for the composition that the teeth and the lip make together.
Honest expectations
- Excess gum display is not always caused by the gum; lip movement or jaw structure can play a part.
- Temporary sensitivity and mild swelling can occur while healing.
- Healing after a graft can take longer.
Aftercare
- Clean the area gently with a soft brush in the first days
- Use the mouthwash your dentist recommends
- Avoid hard and spicy food for the first week
- Keep your follow-up appointments
Frequently asked
Is it painful?
It is done under local anaesthesia. There may be some tenderness afterwards, usually managed with pain relief.
Will the gum grow back?
With a well-planned procedure the result is usually lasting; in some cases the tissue may show small changes over time.
When can veneers follow?
Once the gum line has settled — usually after a few weeks of healing.
This page is for information. A diagnosis and a treatment plan require an examination.