Cosmetic Gum Surgery

If you want to improve the aesthetics of your smile, there’s no limit to the procedures available in cosmetic dentistry to help you do so. But there’s more to your smile than your teeth, and well-proportioned, healthy-looking gums can also dramatically improve your appearance.

You may have gum tissue that covers too much or too little of your teeth, an uneven gum line, or gum recession that exposes part of your tooth’s roots. At Advanced Periodontics of Washington, we offer cosmetic gum surgery to correct these flaws and leave you with a better proportioned, more symmetrical smile.

Why We Treat Gum Recession

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue surrounding the teeth pulls back or wears away. The most common cause is periodontal disease, but it can also occur due to over-aggressive brushing, genetics, and even hormonal changes.

From a medical perspective, gum or gingival recession should be treated because it increases your risk for decay and is a significant risk factor for tooth loss. It also impacts your comfort because your teeth can become very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.

Aesthetically, gum recession is a problem because it makes your teeth appear too long, which detracts from your smile.

Correcting Gum Recession with Gum Grafting

If you feel self-conscious about the appearance of receding gums, our Washington, DC periodontist may recommend gum grafting to improve the aesthetics of your smile and help protect your tooth’s roots. Patients who complain to us that their teeth appear too long are often helped with a gum grafting procedure or soft tissue augmentation.

If you need gum tissue grafting, Dr. Levy may take the material from your own mouth or use donor tissue that is screened for your safety. Since cosmetic gum surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, most of our patients experience only mild discomfort.

Treatment for "Gummy Smiles"

Many people have the opposite problem, and there is too much gum tissue covering the teeth. This results in what’s commonly called a “gummy” smile.

In this case, Dr. Levy may recommend gum recontouring—also referred to as a gingival lift or gum lift. Gum recontouring is a procedure where our periodontist reshapes the gum line for a more even, pleasing effect. During this procedure, he removes excess gum tissue to make the teeth appear longer and in better proportion to your smile.

What’s Involved with Cosmetic Gum Surgery?

At Advanced Periodontics of Washington, cosmetic gum surgery is an in-office procedure that typically only requires a local anesthetic. Dr. Levy would also be happy to talk to you about prescribing an oral sedative to help you relax.

Book an Appointment to Get Started

We are happy to accept a referral from your general or cosmetic dentist, or you can call us directly at (202) to schedule a consultation with Dr. Levy.