Gum Lift
WHAT IS GUM LIFT?
A beautiful smile is not just about the teeth. The gum line frames everything, and when it is balanced, everything looks different.
A gum lift is a cosmetic periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum line to reveal more of the natural tooth surface, create greater symmetry between adjacent teeth, and improve the overall proportion and balance of the smile. At LUMI Dental in Boca Raton, a gum lift is planned with precision, using digital imaging to preview the expected outcome and clinical measurements to ensure the reshaping is both aesthetically successful and biologically sound.
Many patients with a gummy smile, where the gums are visually prominent when they smile, have beautiful teeth that are simply not being fully revealed. The gum tissue covers a significant portion of the tooth surface, making teeth appear short, square, or disproportionate relative to the facial structure. A gum lift addresses this by removing the excess tissue to expose the full natural crown of each tooth, creating a more balanced, proportionate, and open smile. The procedure can also correct asymmetry where some teeth appear shorter than others because the gum line is not at a consistent level across the arch.
BENEFITS OF GUM LIFT
- Reveals more of the natural tooth surface for a more open, balanced, and proportionate smile.
- Corrects gum line asymmetry where different teeth appear at different heights.
- Immediate and visible results with improvement apparent from the same appointment.
- Results are permanent in most cases, as removed gum tissue does not return.
- Creates the ideal gum frame for cosmetic restorations such as veneers when planned as part of a smile makeover.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING A GUM LIFT TREATMENT?
A gum lift is typically performed in a single appointment under local anesthesia. Before any tissue is removed, we review the planned new gum line with you and confirm the proposed changes align with your expectations. The procedure itself takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on the extent of reshaping. Some mild tenderness and swelling in the days following are normal and resolve within one to two weeks. The full aesthetic result is visible once any minor swelling has resolved, typically within two weeks of the procedure.
OUR APPROACH TO GUM LIFT
At LUMI Dental, a gum lift is always approached as a clinical procedure before it is approached as a cosmetic one. We evaluate the health of the gum tissue, confirm there is no active periodontal disease that must be addressed first, and assess the biologic width to ensure that the tissue removal does not impinge on the biological structures that support gum health long term. We use digital planning to preview the outcome with you before we begin, so the result is never a surprise.
Your smile deserves attention today, not tomorrow.
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VIEW ALL TESTIMONIALFrequently Asked Questions LUMI Dental
How is a gum lift different from gum contouring?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both describe the reshaping of the gum line for cosmetic improvement. At LUMI Dental, we plan and perform both procedures with the same clinical rigor regardless of the terminology used.
Is a gum lift permanent?
In most cases, yes. The reshaped gum tissue does not typically regenerate, making the results long lasting. In younger patients with ongoing tissue maturation, minor regrowth is possible and is discussed at your consultation.
Can I combine a gum lift with veneers?
Absolutely. A gum lift is commonly performed before veneers or other cosmetic restorations as part of a coordinated smile makeover plan. Reshaping the gum line first establishes the ideal frame for the restorations that follow.
Does a gum lift hurt?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is comfortable throughout. Some tenderness in the days following is expected and manageable. Most patients find the recovery easier than anticipated.
How long does recovery take after a gum lift?
Most patients are comfortable within a few days. We recommend a soft diet and gentle oral hygiene near the treated area for one to two weeks. The full aesthetic result is typically visible within two weeks as the tissue heals.