If you’re worried about how much your gums show when you smile, you might be a good candidate for lip repositioning. Instead of having to feel embarrassed about laughing or smiling, cosmetic dentists and oral surgeons can offer you a simple procedure that brings the top lip down further over the teeth, enhancing the appearance of your smile and giving you more confidence.
How Does Lip Repositioning Work?
During a lip repositioning procedure, a small cut is made inside the top lip and a piece of tissue is removed. Doing this allows the lip to rest further down along the gum line, removing the “gummy” look that can cause self-esteem issues. The whole procedure takes less than an hour and can be performed under local anesthesia. Stitches are typically inserted into the area to ensure proper healing.
Caring for Your Smile after Surgery
After the procedure, you will typically experience some swelling. This is normal and will reduce over the next few days, leaving you with a natural-looking smile. The healing process will take about two weeks, and during that time you should avoid smiling or laughing unnaturally, as this can disturb the stitches and make the healing process take longer. Your upper lip may also feel tight as it heals, though this will go away with time.
Is Lip Repositioning Right for Me?
If you’re bothered by how much your gums show when you laugh, talk, or smile, our team of cosmetic dentists can provide you with an assessment to find out if you would be a good candidate for lip repositioning surgery. If you are, we’ll be happy to provide you with a referral to an experienced oral surgeon who we work with closely. You’ll be smiling without worry before you know it!
