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Gum contouring is a common and simple procedure that reshapes or sculpts your gumline.

Gummy Smile

Gum contouring is a common and simple procedure that reshapes or sculpts your gumline. The gum contouring process focuses on removing any excess gum tissue around your teeth. Gum contouring is often an elective procedure. This means that it will not medically improve your health. Instead, it is being performed electively to improve the appearance of the ratio of gums and teeth during your smile.

 

When you smile, does it seem like your upper teeth are out of proportional balance with too much gum tissue. Do your upper teeth seem short relative to the amount of gum tissue visible when you smile? If the proportions are indeed askew, you may have an issue called a gummy smile, or excessive gingival display.

 

A gummy smile can negatively affect the perception of your smile. A gummy smile can be easily corrected with several treatment options, one being gum contouring.

 

The entire team at Missouri River Dental is committed to providing a patient experience unlike any other. The foundation of that philosophy is our personable and professional staff. We collectively strive to blend technology, art, and healthcare for each patient. Our goal is to provide you with an individualized patient experience unlike any other you have had at a dental office. We strive to create a positive and comfortable atmosphere for our patients while still meeting their dental needs, wishes, and exceeding expectations. Call us today at 701-751-7177 or enter your request online to schedule an appointment for your evaluation regarding the benefits of a gum contouring procedure for you. You can conveniently find Missouri River Dental at 1600 Uptown Lane, Bismarck, ND, 58503.

 

A visually attractive smile is more than just straight, white teeth, but also the balanced ratio between the teeth and the gums. A gummy smile shows more gum than is considered desirable. If you do not care for your gummy smile, gum contouring will create a more visually pleasing balance between your teeth and gums allowing you to enjoy and share your invaluable asset, your smile.

Some Causes of a Gummy Smile

A gummy smile does not mean there is anything functionally wrong. The ratio between the gums and the teeth is a visual issue, and it is an issue only if you perceive it to be one. However, it could be the result of your teeth not emerging correctly from the gums, a condition called delayed passive eruption. It could also happen when your upper lip pulls back farther than it normally should when smiling.

 

The perception of a gummy smile can also be from your teeth being proportionally small or having become severely worn down. Missouri River Dental can correct your gummy smile with a gum contouring treatment that will improve your gum-line. Here are a few examples of some causes:

 

  • An excessive amount of gum tissue displayed with your upper arch may be the result of abnormal eruption of your teeth. Teeth that are covered with excess gum tissue will look shorter, even though they are physically the proper length.
  • The abnormal development of your upper jawbone causing the appearance of a gummy smile. If there is a bulging protrusion of the upper jaw within the gum tissue, you could experience a gummy appearance during your smile.
  • The muscle that moves your upper lip is hyperactive, which will make your upper lip lift higher than normal. With this elevated lip movement more of your gums are exposed when you smile.

Is It an Aesthetic Problem Only?

The aesthetic zone, or smile line, which is the amount of teeth that show when you smile, is determined by several contributing factors:

 

  • Your gum tissues that are involved.
  • The shape and size of your lips.
  • The size and shape of your teeth.
  • Your facial muscles.

 

The ideal smile line appearance should show some gum tissue. Your gum tissue visible with your smile line should have a balanced, even contour line that is harmonious and runs parallel with your upper lip.

 

More serious underlying dental health conditions may still be present. If your gummy smile is from how the teeth erupted and how your jaw developed, you might have an uncomfortable or improper bite that will affect your long-term oral health.

meet Dr. Timothy Anderson
meet Dr. Timothy Anderson

dr. anderson
MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL

“I believe in comprehensive, quality oral health care that is patient-centered. I strive to create a positive and comfortable experience for each patient while still meeting their dental needs, wishes and expectations.”

our team is excited to welcome you to your new dental home
our team is excited to welcome you to your new dental home

our team
MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL

At Missouri River Dental, our goal is to create an exceptional patient experience. We strive to exceed that experience through being compassionate, clinically thorough and providing excellent communication.

contact
our team
today

Every little detail matters,
relationships matter,
experience matters,
first-class dental care matters.

The Gum Contouring Procedure

If you believe you might have a gummy smile, visit us at Missouri River Dental for an evaluation to review your treatment options. Research has stated that smiles are considered attractive when two millimeters or less of gum tissue is exposed. When there is three millimeters or more, the smile is then considered to be a gummy smile. Our team will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to objectively measure the extent of the excessive gingival display and the probable causes. This exam could include standard or digital impressions of your teeth and gums. We might also want to take X-rays so we can examine your tooth roots and jawbone.

 

Gum contouring is performed in our office. Our team will use a surgical scalpel or a dental laser to perform your gum contouring procedure based on your case.

 

Before your treatment, we will explain what we will be doing during the procedure. We may use a pen and draw a line to mark your new gum line. From this you can see exactly how much gum will be removed or how your gum line will be reshaped with the gum contouring treatment.

 

To start, we will administer a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area. Sometimes, the bone at the front of the tooth's root needs to be removed during gum contouring to provide the best long-term results. During your procedure, Missouri River Dental will use a soft tissue laser or scalpel to remove the excess gum tissue and recontour the gumline to reveal more of the teeth. Sutures may be used to hold the gum tissue in place. The length of the procedure will vary based on the extent of the gum contouring. Usually, gum contouring takes an hour or two.

 

The American Academy of Periodontology states that the benefits of a gum contouring treatment include increased comfort, an improvement in self-esteem and self-confidence when smiling, eating, and speaking, as well as improved overall periodontal health.

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Changing the Dental Experience Norm
One Patient at a Time

Missouri River Dental provides you with a clean, comfortable, and modern feel. Our team goal is to provide you with the best possible care utilizing the most current dental technologies and services. The entire team at Missouri River Dental focuses on providing comprehensive, quality oral health care that is always centered on you, our patient. We appreciate the value of your time. That is why we are flexible with our hours of operation; open early, open late, and open Saturdays. Call us now at 701-751-7177 or make your appointment online for your personal evaluation and consultation regarding the benefits of a possible gum contouring treatment for you. Our office is located at 1600 Uptown Lane, Bismarck, ND, 58503.

dr. anderson using the solea laser. missouri river dental <br>features the latest in dental technologies.
dr. anderson using the solea laser. missouri river dental
features the latest in dental technologies.

TECH AT
MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL

We were the first to bring the Solea Laser to North Dakota which allowed us to do fillings without anesthetic which was a game changer for the patient experience.

our team is excited to welcome you to your new dental home
our team is excited to welcome you to your new dental home

TEAM AT
MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL

All team members have an education focus in being constant learners in all things dental and you will experience that the minute you walk into our doors.

the primary focus of smile design is to reach the best aesthetic result for your smile.
the primary focus of smile design is to reach the best aesthetic result for your smile.

EDUCATION AT
MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL

We believe that our guests deserve the best in cutting edge technology and information; and we pride ourselves in being experts to answer questions for our guests.

our entire practice centralizes on <br>patient experience and positive dental outcomes.
our entire practice centralizes on
patient experience and positive dental outcomes.

EXPERIENCE AT
MISSOURI RIVER DENTAL

Our goal of this office was to create a dental atmosphere like no other in our community, almost a modern high end hotel-like experience for guests to arrive and feel at ease all while receiving exceptional dental care.