Do your teeth look great but your gums look less than symmetrical? What you need to know about gum lifts in W1*

In the world of cosmetic surgery, a face lift is a common procedure, but have you ever heard of a treatment called a gum lift?

It is a fairly common occurrence across dental clinics in W1; patients have a dental makeover, veneers or whitening performed, leaving them with a fresh-looking set of teeth, but their gums lines look less than presentable. When we smile, we show off our gums as well as our teeth, so for a flawless smile, your gums need to look their best too!

Luckily, cosmetic dental surgeries  have the solution for this too; a gum lift.

What is a gum lift?
A gum lift is a cosmetic procedure that raises the gum line and sculpts the gum line. This can involve either reshaping the gum tissue or the bones in the jaw, to create a more symmetrical look to the gums.

It is typically performed when a patient is worried about asymmetry in their smiles or they feel they show too much gum when they smile, also known as a ‘gummy smile.’ It is a newer procedure. Many cosmetic dental surgeries  have only been performing gum lifts for the last 5 years for aesthetic purposes, to correct asymmetries or to even out the tooth to gum ratio.

Gum lifts do not require scalpels
Very few delicate procedures can be done by hand. If you and your dentist decide you are suitable for a gum lift, it may seem worrying to hear that they are typically performed with lasers!

Don’t worry; lasers are used to minimise the somewhat invasive nature of a gum lift and the gingival tissue does not require stitching after a laser-based gum lift has been performed, depending of course on the amount of gum that has been removed.

Fast recovery time
Gum tissue is very fast at healing and after a gum lift has been performed, you will be able to continue your daily activities. If you are experiencing severe discomfort after a gum lift, you should book an appointment to see a dentist as soon as you can.

It is advised that you do not drink alcohol for 24-48 hours after a gum lift.

You can ask for sedation
If you are worried about the underlying idea of lasers and gum being removed, talk to your dentist before the appointment about your fears.

Although a gum lift is not a lengthy process, your dentist will be able to offer you sedation or partial sedation for the duration, to ensure you are comfortable. Just make sure you bring along a family member to take you home.

It is wise to discuss whether you are suitable for a gum lift with your dentist before deciding to undertake one. There may be other solutions that your dentist can offer to help you minimise or enhance the appearance of your gum line.