Beautifully shaped, healthy, white teeth are the key to an attractive smile. However, the rules of aesthetics in dentistry tell us what the ideal ratio of white (teeth) to pink (gums) is attractive to the eye. When the gums are highly visible, we talk about a gummy smile. The causes of excessively visible gums can be varied and, consequently, there are different ways of correcting it.
One of the most common causes of excessively visible gums, which we can solve in our clinic, is the consequence of a normal dental growth disorder, whereby the gums are not removed far enough back and placed where they should naturally be. For this reason, with highly visible gums, the teeth appear very small and short. Sometimes the height of the gums is uneven rising above individual teeth and can even vary between the right and left sides of the jaw. Namely, right-handers often squeeze the brush harder when brushing the left side of the jaw and in this area, the gums are pulled down, while on the right side, due to less pressure, these changes do not occur. The surgical procedure for removing excess gums or equalising their height creates an aesthetically, much more attractive smile offering larger, more visible rows of teeth and a harmonious gum line.
Since an individual approach to each of our patients is extremely important in our practice, the cause of excessively visible gums or unevenness in the height of gums is first determined and then a treatment plan is developed accordingly. Sometimes, in addition to the surgical procedure of removing excess gums, dental crowns (covers) are also made, which further enhances the appearance, size and shape of the teeth.
A surgical procedure to remove excess gums is called a gingivectomy. This is done under a local anaesthetic and it is totally pain-free. For minor corrections, only the gum is removed and its harmonious appearance is shaped. The results are noticeable immediately after the procedure, and the dental tissue heals very quickly. In order to extend the crown of the tooth and make the tooth appear bigger, it is sometimes necessary to remove a little bone around the tooth. In this case, after the surgical procedure, sutures are inserted for a more harmonious and faster healing process, and the sutures are removed after 2 weeks. This specific aesthetic procedure is closely dealt with in the field of dentistry, which is called periodontology, and our doctor Jovičević, a specialist in periodontology, obtained his title and expertise specifically through the specialist training in this field of dental medicine. A gingivectomy is a surgical procedure that makes a big, immediate impact by creating a harmonious appearance with healthy gums and exposing a large, visible row of teeth.
