Gummy Smile Treatment in Northridge
If your smile shows more gum than you would like, treatment can bring your teeth and gumline into better balance. The right approach depends on what is causing it, and a periodontist is the specialist trained to find out.
Gummy smile treatment at Northridge Dental Group is led by Dr. Farshid Ariz, DMD, a board-certified periodontist, working alongside cosmetic dentist Dr. Shahdad Arami when a case calls for both. Serving the San Fernando Valley since 1974.
What causes a gummy smile
A smile that shows a lot of gum is common and completely normal. Some people simply do not like how it looks, and treatment can help. What matters is identifying the reason, since the right fix for one cause is not the right fix for another.
Common causes
- Extra gum tissue covering more of the teeth than needed
- Teeth that appear short, even though they are a normal size under the gum
- A lip that rises higher than average when you smile
- How the upper jaw and teeth developed
How it is treated
When extra or uneven gum tissue is the cause, a periodontist can reshape the gumline to reveal more of the natural tooth, a procedure often called crown lengthening. In some cases the best result combines gum reshaping with cosmetic work such as veneers. Because Dr. Ariz and Dr. Arami work in the same practice, your plan can bring both together when needed.
Gummy smile treatment sits between periodontics and cosmetic dentistry. A consultation tells you which approach fits your smile.
Gummy Smile Questions
It depends on the cause. When extra or uneven gum tissue is the reason, reshaping the gumline, often called crown lengthening, reveals more of the natural tooth. Other causes may call for a different approach or a combination with cosmetic treatment. The exam determines which is right for you.
Reshaping the gumline gives a lasting change when the cause was gum-related. Results depend on your specific case and on keeping your gums healthy afterward. Dr. Ariz will explain what to expect for the treatment that fits you.
The area is numbed so you are comfortable during treatment, and sedation is available if you feel anxious. Any soreness afterward is usually mild and short-lived. You receive clear aftercare guidance to keep the area comfortable as it heals.
Not always. Some smiles look balanced with gum reshaping alone. Others get the best result when reshaping is paired with cosmetic work like veneers. Because Dr. Ariz and Dr. Arami practice together, your plan can combine both if that gives the better outcome.
Want a more balanced smile?
Balance your gumline and your smile
Schedule a consultation to find out which gummy smile treatment fits you.