Do you feel like your smile’s gum-to-teeth ratio is off? It is called a gummy smile. Consider veneers for a better balance, and you’ll be showing off your smile in no time.
Most people show some of their gums when they smile. In fact, a little gum exposure lends to a youthful and balanced grin. But seeing too much of your gums when you smile may be the result of a muscular imbalance in your lower face.
If you’re not happy with your gummy smile, it’s time to explore cosmetic treatments like veneers to address it.
Veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment because they are easy to place and long-lasting. Plus, they look and feel natural.
If you’re looking to fix your gummy smile, our team can design custom veneers that fit your smile flawlessly. Las Positas Family Dental in Livermore, California, offers patients stunning and sustainable results with cosmetic treatments using advanced digital scanning. With your new veneers, you can smile confidently without hesitating because of excess gum exposure.
Why veneers?
While exploring treatments for a gummy smile, you want to choose an option that offers long-term results with minimal extra maintenance beyond your typical oral hygiene routine.
Veneers offer these benefits, plus a few more. When you use veneers to treat a gummy smile, you can expect:
- Completed treatment in just two visits
- A solution that lasts for 20 years or longer as long as you care for them
- Minimal maintenance beyond your dental hygiene routine
To ensure your veneers last as long as possible, brush and floss daily, using the proper technique. Plus, plan on visiting our office twice a year for professional cleanings and preventive care.
How veneers can conceal gum tissue
You might wonder how dental restorations such as veneers can make your gums appear shorter. Our dentists use quality porcelain veneers to treat a gummy smile by making them a little longer than your natural teeth. They extend farther up than your natural teeth go.
To accommodate veneers for a gummy smile, our dentists might also suggest a gum contouring procedure. Gum contouring reshapes your gumline to make your teeth appear longer by exposing some of their roots. The veneers are then placed to cover them.
As a result, your teeth appear longer, and your gums appear shorter. Best of all — we achieve this result without changing the musculoskeletal structure of your face.
Maintaining your results
Though modern porcelain veneers can last for decades, you’ll need to replace them eventually. Placing veneers involves removing a thin layer of enamel from the surfaces of the teeth, so they’ll always need veneers.
To avoid breaking, dislodging, or staining your new veneers, you should:
- Limit staining foods and beverages (e.g. coffee, berries, red wine)
- Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco
- Avoid biting down on solid objects
- Invest in a night guard if you grind your teeth while sleeping
- Keep your mouth clean
If you break a veneer, call our office for a replacement immediately. Our team uses your original digital scans to create an identical veneer.
A gummy smile doesn’t inhibit your chewing or speaking, but it may hold you back from fully expressing yourself by sharing a genuine grin. Call Las Positas Family Dental or book an appointment online for a veneers consultation today.