Crown Lengthening (Laser Gum Lift)
This surgical procedure removes and recontours the gum tissue. We remove some of the gum tissue above the tooth, making the teeth longer. This is done surgically, under local anesthesia, with a laser.
Crown lengthening is ideal when there is excess gum tissue covering the short teeth. Once the gum tissue is removed, the teeth will appear longer. In some cases exposed root will be showing, so porcelain veneers or bonding will be needed to aesthetically enhance the teeth. If you already have porcelain veneers, you will most likely need a new a set to cover the root surface.
As scary as this procedure sounds, it is relatively fast and easy, and patients tolerate it well and heal quickly. If only a small amount of gum tissue is removed, healing may be under 24 hours. If some of the bone around the teeth is removed, full recovery may take one to two weeks. This procedure is done in one appointment and usually takes between one and two hours, and can be done under local anesthesia. If you're really apprehensive, ask about oral sedation.
Pros:
- Quick
- easy
- inexpensive
- predictable results
- minimal recovery time
Cons:
- Limited success in some cases
- may expose root of tooth and thus require veneers or bonding.
Lip Repositioning
This simple yet dramatic procedure is typically performed by a plastic surgeon or periodontist. It is most often used in conjunction with crown lengthening, but can work as a stand alone procedure. It achieves optimal results if the lip needs to be repositioned ten millimeters or less.
In this procedure a small portion of the tissue on the inside of your upper lip is removed and the lip is sutured to the gums. This limits the muscles that raise your lip from showing too much gum tissue. This procedure will not change the appearance of your face, but will stop your lip from rising up too high when you smile. It is usually done under local anesthesia, and the procedure lasts around one hour. Often there is some swelling, particularly the first few days, but usually it is barely noticeable after one week and completely gone in two weeks.
Pros:
- Fast
- easy
- dramatic results
- quick recovery
- relatively inexpensive
- can alleviate the need for orthognathic surgery
- with changes that can be just as dramatic
Cons:
- The surgeon can only move the lip a limited amount
- may need to be used in conjunction with crown lengthening to solve the problem
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