When it comes to cosmetic dental procedures, chances are you’re quite familiar with those such as braces and veneers. You’ve likely also heard of gum grafting, the procedure performed to address unhealthy gum recession for people who don’t have enough gum tissue. But one dental procedure you possibly haven’t heard of is one called a gum lift, which is ideal for people who have excessive gum tissue that interferes with the appearance of their smile.
Also known as gum contouring (or a gingivectomy, if you want to use the official medical terminology), a gum lift is a cosmetic procedure that involves the removal of a portion of the gums around the teeth in order to alter the shape and appearance of the gum line. It’s ideal for anyone who has what could be considered a “gummy smile” who wants to minimize the appearance of their gums and highlight their pearly whites.
In this article, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about gum lift procedures and what they entail. And when you’re finished here, head on over to Cosmetic Town TV to watch the video breakdown of this content.
As mentioned before, a gum lift is an outpatient surgical procedure where a dentist or oral surgeon removes parts of the gum as a way to change the appearance of someone’s smile. This is particularly useful in cases where someone has more gum showing than they would like, and this procedure can give their smile a subtle, yet dramatic, improvement.
This procedure can be done by itself, or in conjunction with other cosmetic dental procedures being performed as part of a smile makeover, such as veneers or braces. It can be done on both top and bottom teeth, though as a general rule, a gum lift is reserved for only those teeth that are visible when a person smiles.
A gum lift procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour, though this will vary depending on how many teeth are being worked on and how much gum tissue is being removed.
For the first 7-10 days following the procedure, the patient will only be permitted to eat soft foods, as well as take special care when brushing their teeth not to irritate the gums or brush too hard. If any pain in the mouth is experienced, cool compresses and pain medication can be used to help alleviate any discomfort.
It’s also important to make sure to keep the mouth clean and sterile while the gums are healing. This can be achieved by regularly rinsing the mouth with diluted salt water or a mouthwash prescribed by the dentist. Full recovery can take up to 3 months.
As usual, prices for cosmetic procedures such as these vary based on a variety of factors, with prices ranging as low as $200 to as much as several thousand dollars. The final price will depend on the size of the procedure, as well as the expertise of the dentist, your geographical location where you’re having the procedure performed, and any other fees associated with the facility you choose.
If you’re considering getting a gum lift procedure to enhance your smile, speak to your family dentist or an oral surgeon to schedule a consultation. We connect patients with the best doctors for cosmetic procedures. Get the answers to all of your questions and find a doctor near you.
- BJ
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