Have A ‘Gummy Smile?’

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Think of a photo that shows someone who is truly happy. They are typically beaming with a big, wide smile. For those who feel their smile has flaws, however, letting loose with a truly happy smile can be difficult.

For example, this can be the case for those who have a ‘gummy smile.’ In a gummy smile, too much gum line is seen above the upper teeth when the individual is smiling fully. This extra gum tissue detracts from the beauty of a smile. And, it often causes those with the trait to ‘hold back’ rather than allow a full smile to emerge. It can even cause people to cover their smile with a hand to conceal what they feel is an unattractive flaw.

A healthy smile should never feel awkward. However, the appearance of a smile can have tremendous impact on self-esteem, self-confidence and of course, appearance. While it is important to have a healthy smile, it is also beneficial to our self-image that we have a smile that makes us feel good on the inside and out.

A gummy smile can be repaired easily with modern techniques, and with exceptional comfort and reduced healing time. This is done by gum contouring. In this procedure, a ‘gingivectomy’ is performed that removes excess gum tissue above the teeth.

We begin by anesthetizing the gums and carefully trim the excess tissue. After the procedure, some tenderness or swelling may occur, which can be minimized by applying an ice pack to the affected area for a day. While most discomfort is managed with over-the-counter pain medications, prescription strength options are available for patients who desire them.

Healing time depends on the individual and can vary from a few days to a few weeks. Patients who smoke can expect the longer healing time.  This is because the chemicals in cigarette smoke are very drying to oral tissues. Dryness slows the body’s ability to support a proper pace of healing.

Most gingivectomies are followed by crown lengthening procedures that enhance the appearance of the teeth most visible in a smile. Crown lengthening uses porcelain veneers or crowns to give a beautiful, even smile line.

The costs for repairing a gummy smile will vary according to the severity of the condition and subsequent addition of crowns or veneers. However, we’ve seen remarkable results with those who have had the procedure. They seem to transform into a more outgoing, vibrant personality through a fabulous smile that gets shared often!

Begin with a consultation to discuss the gingivectomy procedure and if subsequent crown lengthening is recommended. Call 828-274-9440 for a time that is convenient to you.

Smile Affects More Than Appearance

Posted on Mar 16, 2015 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

The dictionary defines a smile as: “a pleasant or agreeable appearance, look, or aspect.” Does that describe your smile?

As a periodontist who performs gum recontouring to repair ‘gummy smiles’ and dental implants to replace missing teeth, patients often share the emotional repercussions of a flawed smile before treatment. Many of them explain how they’ve  ‘held back’ on their smile, often concealing it with their hand or smiling with lips only. Some share they felt uncomfortable speaking with the opposite sex. Others felt their smile has kept them from pursuing higher positions or particular jobs.

Your smile is much more than teeth and gums. It reflects your overall personality. Would a confident smile make you more comfortable smiling and interacting with others? Would it prompt you to smile more often? Would it make you feel more attractive and outgoing? These are changes that patients have shared after treatment. Truly, the effects go much deeper than visual.

Adults often indulge in cars, clothes, electronics and trips as ways to create good feelings. Yet, none can provide the lasting effects of a confident, appealing smile. If you’d like to discuss dental implants for tooth replacement or gum recontouring for a smile you’ll enjoy sharing, every day, call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation.

Smoking & Oral Health

Posted on Dec 22, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Smokers already know they are taking health risks. However, many smokers are unaware of the negative oral health issues when it comes to tobacco use.

For example, research shows that smokers lose more teeth than nonsmokers. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, about 20 percent of people over age 65 who have never smoked are toothless, while over 41 percent of daily smokers over age 65 are toothless.

It’s no surprise to Periodontists that following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery (including implant placement), patients who smoke have longer healing times with less predictable treatment outcomes. Other oral problems include a heightened risk for oral cancer, bad breath, stained teeth, loss of taste, gum recession, mouth sores, tooth loss and deep wrinkling around the mouth.

As a smoker, you also have a far greater increase for periodontal disease. One reason is your increased susceptibility to calculus. This is the plaque that hardens on teeth and can only be removed through a professional cleaning.

When calculus is not removed, the bacteria it harbors can destroy gum tissue and cause gums to pull away from teeth. As a result, teeth look longer and are more vulnerable to bacteria. As bacteria growth develops into periodontal disease, sore pockets form between teeth and fill with bacteria, destroying tissues and supporting bone. Eventually, the teeth become loose and require removal.

Cigarette smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes your overall health. Nearly 50 percent of those who don’t quit smoking will die of smoking-related problems.

Quitting is not easy but the benefits are almost immediate. Your circulation improves, your blood pressure starts to return to normal and breathing becomes easier. You’ll also have a healthier mouth.

A new year is an ideal time to kick the habit. The American Cancer Society’s web site, www.cancer.org, is an excellent resource for smokers who are trying to quit. Or, call us at (828) 274-9440 for more information.

Reshaping Gums Puts The ‘Perfect’ In Your Smile!

Posted on Dec 18, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Having attractive teeth is not the only requirement of a beautiful smile. Your gums effect a smile’s appearance tremendously.

We have addressed procedures for correcting a ‘gummy smile’ previously in our blog. This is when too much gum tissue is visible over the tops of teeth in a full smile. Katie Couric, for example, has a gummy smile.

While a gummy smile can be corrected by removing the excess of gum tissue, crown lengthening is a procedure that adds gum tissue. This is done to even out the gum line in a smile when porcelain veneers or crowns are placed.

Today’s crowns and veneers are beautiful, even reflecting light as natural teeth. When crowns or veneers are placed on teeth most visible in a smile, the arch of gum tissue above each tooth forms a frame. When some teeth have a higher arch than others, it makes the teeth or restoration (crown or veneer) appear long. Although the restorations may be beautiful, this mismatch of gum framing tends to detract from a smile’s appearance.

The best time to have crown lengthening performed is promptly following placement of the final restoration. Once the gums have an even line of ‘arches,’ those veneers or crowns will make your smile even more fabulous!

For more information, call us at (828) 274-9440 and request a Consultation appointment.