What Causes a Gummy Smile?
When gums appear to swallow teeth, it’s known as excessive gum display. There may be several potential causes.
For example, teeth may have erupted normally during childhood, but the surrounding soft tissue failed to retreat enough, which buries the healthy enamel. In other cases, a hyperactive upper lip pulls back too high, showing a lot of gum tissue. Or perhaps the upper jawbone grew downward excessively, drawing development. We identify the exact structural cause to determine the right treatment option.
How Aesthetic Crown Lengthening Works
Here’s what to expect when visiting us for gummy smile treatment in Burke:
- Numbing: On procedure day at our Burke surgical center, Dr. Karapetian uses local numbing or gentle sedation to keep you comfortable.
- Reshaping: Next, she precisely reshapes the excess gum tissue to create clean, natural arches over each tooth.
- Bone Adjustment: Then, she adjusts the underlying bone level just enough to prevent tissue regrowth.
- Balanced Smile: The procedure permanently lengthens your teeth while establishing a stable foundation.
Why See Our Periodontist for Gummy Smile Reshaping
Cosmetic changes near the gumline require expertise and a careful approach. Removing too much tissue increases the risk of inflammation and root exposure.
As a Board-Certified Periodontist, Dr. Karapetian specializes in soft tissue and jawbone procedures. She carefully evaluates tooth proportions and tissue symmetry before making any adjustments.
Whether you are traveling from Kings Park West, West Springfield, or down Braddock Road from Fairfax, our Burke office handles cosmetic gum recontouring with surgical precision. If you are preparing for porcelain veneers or crowns, Dr. Karapetian works directly with your restorative dentist to prepare your gumline so your final restorations fit flawlessly.
Schedule a Consultation to Address Your Gummy Smile in Burke, VA
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Christine Karapetian at Washington Periodontics by calling (571) 569-7540 to discuss personalized gummy smile treatment in Burke, VA.
