The diagnosis
The height of gum visible on each tooth, the thickness of the tissues, the underlying bone and the smile line are analysed together.
Gum aesthetics · Harmony
Cosmetic gum treatment: correcting the gum line.
Correcting the gum line, for example an asymmetry or excess gum, only when the diagnosis justifies it.
Asymmetrical gums, recession (gum that leaves the root exposed) or excess gum that makes the teeth look short all alter how the proportions of the teeth are perceived.
The plan takes into account the health of the tissues, their stability and the healing time, before any restoration.
Key points
- When? When excess gum makes the teeth look too short, when the gum line is irregular, or when receding gum exposes a root.
- The treatment Depending on the situation, it may involve reshaping the gum, repositioning it or strengthening the tissues with a graft. An examination of the gum and the bone guides this choice.
- Good to know Healing takes time. Healthy gums, appropriate oral hygiene and regular follow-up contribute to the stability of the result.
What the procedure can correct
Depending on the situation, the procedure aims to preserve, thicken, reposition or reshape the gum. A gingivectomy, for example, removes excess gum to increase the visible height of the teeth and even out the gum margins.
The stability of the result
Oral hygiene, healing and follow-up determine how stable the result remains over time.
Frequently asked questions
Understand before choosing.
When is cosmetic gum treatment indicated?
The height of gum visible on each tooth, the thickness of the tissues, the underlying bone and the smile line are analysed together.
How is the decision made?
Asymmetrical gums, recession (gum that leaves the root exposed) or excess gum that makes the teeth look short all alter how the proportions of the teeth are perceived. The final proposal always depends on the clinical examination, the bite and the expectations you have expressed.
Is this solution suitable for every situation?
No. The same request can call for several solutions. The diagnosis makes it possible to compare the benefits, the limits, the alternatives and the biological cost of each one.
From treatment to clinical practice
Exploring this approach further.
Clinical case
A ceramic crown on a central incisor
Clinical case: a ceramic crown on a central incisor after a failed gum graft, with the gum stabilised first and the crown matched to its neighbour.
First step
The aesthetic consultation
How the diagnosis and the options are presented before any decision is made.
Further reading
Related approaches.
Treatments
Smile design
Smile design brings together photographs, measurements and simulation to build a plan in keeping with the face.
Treatments
Ceramic veneers
A thin piece of ceramic bonded to the visible surface of a tooth, to correct shape, shade or proportion.
Treatments
Injection-moulded composite
Injection-moulded composite is an additive technique for transferring a plan designed in advance to the teeth.
A tailored indication
Every situation
needs its own diagnosis.
The information on this page is general. Only a clinical examination can establish whether a treatment is indicated, and clarify its benefits, limits and alternatives.