Procedure page gummy smile treatment chattanooga periodontics dental implants

We Help Build Confidence

Chattanooga Periodontics & Dental Implants understand that the way we feel about our appearance affects us all. Dr. Randall of Chattanooga, TN, doesn’t just want you to have a healthy smile. She wants you to feel confident showing it off. A gummy smile is when little or no tooth structure and a lot of gum tissue shows when you smile. In most cases, a “gummy smile” treatment can help you look your best.

Showing too much gum can negatively affect the way you feel about yourself and have an impact on your oral health. Fortunately, this isn’t how it has to be. If you expose a large amount of tissue and not enough teeth, our aesthetic options can help rid the appearance of gummy smiles. This process can be done in one of two ways. The first is called crown lengthening (or soft tissue recontouring). The second is lip repositioning. During your consultation, we’ll discuss which option is best for you.


Crown Lengthening Can:

  • Enhance appearance
  • Even the gum line
  • Improve health


Crown Lengthening

Our teeth extend upward beneath the gums where we can’t see. With a simple procedure like crown lengthening, Dr. Randall will shape and trim back the excessive tissues. With these adjustments to the gumlines, more tooth structure can be exposed. There is little to no discomfort with this procedure. Enjoy great results with a quick recovery. 

Chattanooga periodontics dental implants

Lip Repositioning

People with a very gummy smile may benefit more from a procedure called lip repositioning. This surgery is a bit more extensive but works very well and the results are amazing. Most patients even get the advantage of fuller lips. During this procedure, the section of skin where the lip meets the gum is shortened by removing some of the excess tissue. This prevents the lip from coming up as high, showing less gum when you smile. Recovery time is longer than crown lengthening, simply because more healing needs to take place. But the discomfort is minimal.


Enhance Your Appearance

Schedule a consultation with Chattanooga Periodontics & Dental Implants to address your gummy smile. Call our Chattanooga, TN periodontal specialists at (423) 756-2450 today for a free consultation to get started.