Gummy Smile Treatment

In the perfect smile, the upper lip sits just above the top of the teeth. But for people with a high lip line, too much of their upper gum is revealed, creating what's commonly referred to as a "Gummy Smile." The unflattering appearance of highly visible gums causes many people with a high lip line to avoid smiling or place their hand over their mouth when they smile or laugh.

There is no need to be self conscious or to hide your emotions. Patients have a better option when they choose a lip lowering treatment from Dr. Alex Farnoosh, a celebrity periodontist in Beverly Hills. This brief, comfortable procedure offers permanent correction of a high lip line to create a more pleasing smile.

You can start enjoying attractive gums and smiling with total confidence when you choose a lip lowering treatment. Request an appointment with celebrity periodontist and Los Angeles cosmetic dentist Dr. Alex A. Farnoosh, or call 310.657.0503 to set up a consultation. To learn more about Dr. Farnoosh's specialized treatment for Gummy Smiles, watch the doctor discuss lip lowering.

Treatment Options

A "Gummy Smile" is more than a cosmetic problem - it can make you self conscious and cause you to cover up your true emotions. Until recently, the only way to correct this problem was to undergo orthognathic surgery to cut and reposition the front segment of the upper jaw. However, not everyone is willing to go through with this treatment because of the complexity of the surgery, discomfort, hospitalization, and inherent complications. Also, this procedure requires the jaw to be wired and stabilized for an extended period and is very expensive, with prices generally ranging between $35,000 and $40,000.

The lip lowering procedure gives men and women with Gummy Smiles a much more comfortable and affordable option. Dr. Farnoosh has developed a relatively simple approach to minimize the appearance of a high lip line by lowering or repositioning of the upper lip in conjunction with some minor periodontal cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Farnoosh started treating patients with Gummy Smiles in 1998 and since then has been revising and enhancing his treatment methods. The outcome of lip lowering treatment is often very dramatic and rewarding for the patients. You can hear what patients have to say when you view video testimonials.

Part of Your Total Smile

Appealing, well-placed lips are an essential part of any person's smile. But the "Total Smile" involves much more, including beautiful teeth and pink, healthy-looking gums. Dr. Farnoosh will take the time to evaluate all aspects of your dental health and physical anatomy to revise your Gummy Smile while also addressing other cosmetic concerns such as dark gums, missing teeth, or teeth that are discolored.

Gummy Smile FAQ

What is a "Gummy Smile"?

Anyone who shows a significant amount of their upper gums when they smile may be considered to have this condition, which creates an unbalanced look in which the gums are emphasized over the teeth. Excess gum tissue or an upper lip that lifts considerably when a person smiles are the main causes for a Gummy Smile appearance.

What are my treatment options?

There are basically two ways to treat highly visible gums - lowering the lip or raising the upper front teeth. For some patients with too much gum tissue covering their teeth, a gum re-contouring procedure can be used to reveal more of the front teeth. In some cases, dental veneers can be used as part of this procedure.

If the lip is being lowered, patients again have a few options. Dr. Farnoosh can perform his lip lowering technique, which modifies the area where your upper lip and gum tissue conjoin. This procedure creates excellent results for many patients, including those who need only subtle lip lowering. The other option is complex orthognathic surgery that requires cutting and repositioning the jaw. Dr. Farnoosh believes that this method should be used only in more extreme cases.

Will my upper lip look saggy after this procedure?

No. After surgery, your lip will look just like it does now when it is in a normal position. The main benefit is that surgery limits how high your lip lifts when you smile.

How long is the recovery period?

Patients who choose lip lowering have minimal downtime following their procedure. Discomfort is also minimal for most patients. Be sure to follow Dr. Farnoosh's post-procedure instructions carefully to avoid the risk of complications.

Learn more about cosmetic gum care in Los Angeles from Dr. Farnoosh when you request an appointment with him at his office on Wilshire Boulevard. Also, be sure to view our video library to find out about all the cosmetic dentistry services we offer.