What *exactly* is gum contouring all about then?
12/10/2021
One writer tried the treatment billed to fix a ‘gummy smile’
When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, there are a tonne of toothy ‘tweakments’ on offer for those who aren’t happy with their smiles – which could be for a variety of reasons. Some feel their teeth aren’t ‘white enough’, others worry they’re uneven, and some fixate on having a ‘gummy smile’. The latter, in layman’s terms, being when a person feels their tooth-to-gum ratio is off.
Now, of course, it goes without saying that no cosmetic dentistry decision should be taken lightly and it won’t be the right choice for everyone – nor are cosmetic procedures necessary. There’s so much power to be gained by embracing what makes us unique. But, while I’ve been able to do that in many other ways (see: no longer hiding my eczema-covered legs away), when it came to my jagged-looking teeth and that aforementioned tooth-to-gum ratio issue… I have to confess, I just couldn’t shake it. They (amongst other things) fed into me hating my smile for a long time.
After trying two rounds of Invisalign braces and plenty of Whitening strips, I still wasn’t happy. In particular, I found myself obsessing over one tooth that was comparatively smaller than the others, next to a particularly pointy fang. I know, I know (my mum also rolled her eyes). We all have our hang-ups, and this was truly my biggest.
So, fed up of smiling with my lips firmly shut all the time, and keen to find out if anything could be done to remedy the situation, I was kindly introduced to the team at Chelsea Dental Clinic, including Dr Rhona Eskander (London’s cosmetic dentistry queen) and Dr Mitul Shah, a brilliant GDC registered Specialist in Periodontics (essentially, the man knows all there is to know about gums, tooth structure and everything in between).
After an initial consultation, they confirmed I’d be a good candidate for a gum lift, which would help with my journey towards getting a more symmetric smile and ultimately, composite veneers.
This is my personal experience of having a gum lift and Dr Shah’s comprehensive answers to any and all other gummy smile-related questions you might have…
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