Hypermobile Lip Plastic Surgery for a Gummy Smile

A Beautiful Smile for a Beautiful You! Although orthognathic (jaw) surgery is the most predictable way to address the problem of a "gummy" smile—excessive gum tissue showing when smiling—recent success with a lip lowering plastic surgery can successfully and dramatically address the issue. Similar to a frenectomy (a very common procedure required for many individuals) this lip lowering procedure will reduce the fold between the lip and gum tissue thereby reducing the amount of upward movement of the lips. Under the right circumstance and with minimal invasiveness, dramatic improvements have been produced.

Pre-Prosthetic Surgery Botox® and Juvéderm®/Restylane®

During the consultation with Dr. Allard in Glendale, AZ, he will review the skeletal relationships involved in the development of a gummy smile, discuss the role of jaw relationships and the vertical position of the upper jaw in the development of a gummy smile, the role of orthognathic (jaw) surgery and the potential of a lip lowering procedure to more conservatively address the gummy smile issue. Dr. Allard typically utilizes in-office IV sedation to perform this minimally invasive surgery, and may also address the possible use of Botox® and/or crown lengthening if there is excessive gingiva contributing to the gummy smile.

Aesthetic Crown Lengthening

Those who feel that they have a "gummy" smile can greatly benefit from aesthetic crown lengthening. This relatively simple procedure usually takes about an hour to perform and is essentially a "gum lift." During the procedure, the doctor removes excess gum and bone tissue and reshapes the smile to expose more of the natural tooth. While this gum reduction surgery can be performed on just one tooth, it is often done on the entire smile. The end result is that more of the natural tooth surface is exposed creating a wider, more beautiful smile.

Asthetic crown lengthening can also be done to preserve the health of the smile. Removing excess gum tissue with gum reduction surgery can help control and prevent periodontal disease. Increasing the exposed surface area of the tooth will decrease the depth of periodontal pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria can grow and harm your oral health.