When people ask you to smile for a photo, do you get a little nervous?

If you’ve mastered the art of smiling with your lips closed, it could be because you feel self-conscious about your smile. From our experience helping patients in and around Birmingham, MI, this is pretty common among people with “gummy” smiles.

You can correct this if it is a problem for you. At Newingham Dental Center, our gum reshaping procedure can give you the smile you wish that you have. This can be a stand-alone treatment or part of an overall smile makeover.

If you are ready to make a change, then you are ready to call us at 248-972-8720 to schedule a consultation.

Why You May Have A Gummy Smile

Let’s start by acknowledging that a “gummy” smile is somewhat subjective. There’s not an official definition for this, but in general, it is a smile that reveals as much or more gum tissue than teeth. What matters is how you feel. If you think you have a gummy smile, then we can help.

There are two basic reasons you may have a gummy smile, however. Some people also have a combination of issues.

The first is that you have more gum tissue than most. This is just part of the variations of human anatomy. Some people have long legs. Other people have short fingers. Ears and noses come in many shapes and sizes as well.
And some people have more gum tissue than others. This can affect what people see when you smile.

The other common reason for gummy smiles is “short” teeth. This isn’t necessary because your teeth are undersized. However, your teeth can look small relative to your gums depending on how far they erupted.

If they only erupted a little, you may have pink tissue covering part of the crowns of your teeth.

In either situation, you can make your teeth more visible if you would like.

How to Make Your Teeth More Noticeable

Through a process called gum reshaping, we can remove excess gingival tissue to change your smile.

The process starts when you visit our Birmingham, MI office. We’ll talk to you about what changes you want to make and examine your gums to assess their health. Using photos, we can show you how we can change your gumline to reveal more of your teeth.

On the day of your procedure, we’ll take every step to keep you comfortable and pain-free. Using a local anesthetic, we can numb your gum tissue so you won’t feel a thing during your procedure. If you prefer something stronger, we also offer inhaled (laughing gas) and oral sedation.

You will need a few days to recover from the procedure, but it won’t be long until you’re showing off your pearly whites.

Get Started on Your New Smile

If you are unhappy with your smile, then know that you have the power to do something about it. You can make an appointment at Newingham Dental Center in Birmingham, MI. To contact us, fill out our online form or call 248-972-8720 now!