When you consider how your smile looks, your first thought is probably to worry about the appearance of your teeth – the color, the shape, any chips or cracks, and so on. But did you realize that your gums can also be a major factor? Here’s what you need to know about a gummy smile – and how porcelain veneers in Hackettstown can be the solution.
What Does It Mean When a Smile is Gummy?
In most smiles, there’s only a little bit of gum showing; it’s mostly the teeth that are visible. However, if there’s more than 4 millimeters of the gumline peeking past the lip, the smile can appear “gummy.”
This can be a result of teeth failing to emerge normally and having more gum covering them than usual; it could also be the case that the teeth are just proportionately small. Other reasons could be an upper lip that draws too far back or the shape of the face.
Fortunately, none of these causes will prevent your teeth from functioning normally. However, a gummy smile can still lead to self-consciousness, which decreases confidence overall.
How Can Porcelain Veneers Fix a Gummy Smile?
Porcelain veneers are thin covers placed on the front of the teeth. They’re often used to cover a wide variety of aesthetic problems, such as discoloration, chips, and tooth shape.
With porcelain veneers, the teeth can be made to look longer. In some cases, tissue can be removed from the gums, with the exposed tooth being covered by veneers and blended into the gumline. This helps correct the proportions of your visible smile; everyone’s attention will be drawn to your pearly whites instead of your gums!
What Other Advantages Do Porcelain Veneers Have?
There are other reasons why porcelain veneers might be recommended by your cosmetic dentist in Hackettstown:
- Veneers can be used to make multiple corrections at once.
- There are many different shades of veneers; you can receive a customized cover that fits with the appearance of your smile and creates a natural look.
- Natural teeth can become stained over time due to frequent exposure to coffee, certain fruits, and other dark-colored foods and beverages. In comparison, veneers are more stain resistant.
- Veneers are a minimally invasive procedure that will let you preserve more of your natural tooth enamel.
For any cosmetic procedure, you’ll want to speak with your dentist about the available options before committing to a decision. Make sure you explain clearly what you’re looking for, and don’t set unrealistic expectations. Oftentimes, you’ll be able to see sample pictures of the results of a procedure. Ask any questions you have and confirm that you understand the answers. A little extra effort is worth it in order to create a smile you can be proud of!
About the Author
Dr. Arindam Kakkar is proficient in many different fields of dentistry (including general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry) strongly believes that 95% of all treatment can be done at his practice, Skylands Dental of New Jersey, instead of referring out. He offers porcelain veneers for a variety of cosmetic corrections. To schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (808) 850-0005.