What is a Gum Lift?
Gum Lift is a procedure involving removal or reshaping of over-grown or over-sized gum tissues.
Excess gum tissue can lead to a “gummy smile” which can make your teeth look shorter and compromise aesthetics. Excess gum often makes the teeth look uneven, out of proportion and not symmetrical in appearance. Over grown gum can make it difficult for you to provide good oral hygiene which can lead to gum diseases.
Reasons for Excessive Gum
Majority of cases for receiving gum lift or recontouring treatment is due to the “gummy smile.” Genetics play a major role in causing lengthy upper jaw bone, excessive gum tissues, short lips, protruded teeth etc.
Gum swelling is commonly caused by periodontal disease. It is bacteria or plaque induced gum swelling due to inflammation of the tissues around the teeth. This can cause bad odour, bad taste, bleeding and redness.
Certain medications can induce gum enlargement. Antiepileptic drugs, calcium channel blockers often used for high blood pressure and immunosuppressive drugs may be associated with gum enlargement.
These drugs do not cause gum growth all the time and there has been cases where genetic predisposition was also associated.
Enlargement of gum can also be associated due to systemic factors such as pregnancy, leukaemia and neoplasm etc.
As you can see, there are few different reasons that can cause gum to swell or grow abnormally, therefore a thorough dental examination is absolutely necessary to identify the cause of the excessive gum prior to any dental treatment is commenced.
Why receive a Gum Lift surgery?
– Cosmetic Reason
May require jaw augmentation, by reducing the alveolar bone level
Depending on the conditions in conjunction with gum lift, reduction of jaw alveolar bone underneath the gum tissues, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, orthodontic treatment may be needed to properly achieve natural looking cosmetic smile.
– Restorative Reason
– Periodontal Treatment
– Procedure involved
