Cosmetic Gum Surgery in Melbourne

Dr. Michel Furtado can give you a bright, confident new smile.

Have a gummy smile? or Feel your teeth are too long?

When you think of cosmetic dentistry, you probably think of procedures like whitening or porcelain veneers that will enhance your teeth. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about the appearance of your gums.

While the teeth are the focal point of your smile, the gums provide the frame for your teeth. They can make your teeth appear long, short or uneven. Dr. Lee Sheldon and Dr. Michel Furtado combine over 30 years of experience with advanced periodontal training to enhance gum appearance. They have special expertise when it comes to fixing a gummy smile, covering exposed roots and recontouring an uneven gumline.

What we can do about a gummy smile

When your teeth appear short, your smile looks “gummy.” This is most likely not because your teeth are really too short, but because they’re covered with too much gum tissue. To fix this, Drs. Sheldon and Furtado perform a crown lengthening procedure in which excess gum tissue is trimmed and sculpted to frame your teeth perfectly. This advanced procedure can be performed on a single tooth to even your gumline – or on many teeth to reveal a natural-looking smile.

A "gummy smile" is corrected by removing excess gum tissue, leaving a beautiful smile.

Recontouring an uneven gumline

Gum contouring is a simple procedure in which Drs. Sheldon and Furtado gently sculpt the gumline to a more beautiful shape. There are several potential causes of uneven gums, including genetics.

Any periodontal disease or other oral health problems that are present will need to be treated before, or in conjunction with, cosmetic procedures. In the case of gum disease, gum contouring may be incorporated into your treatment since the excess tissue can be removed easily during your other periodontal treatment.

Covering exposed roots

Exposed tooth roots, which often make the teeth look longer, are the result of gum recession. Drs. Sheldon and Furtado perform gum tissue grafting. The donor tissue can be your own, using tissue-sparing, comfortable techniques, or can be from tissue manufactured for this purpose. They will advise you of the benefits of each so that you may make the best decision for yourself.

Here, Dr. Sheldon used tissue grafting to cover the patient's exposed roots. Next, a veneer will be placed on the gray tooth. Imagine how that tooth would have looked without the tissue graft.

Ridge augmentation

Dr. Lee Sheldon and Dr. Michel Furtado perform ridge augmentation when a patient has a large cleft, crease or depression in the gum. This surprisingly simple procedure is performed with a small incision to access the bone. A bit of either natural or artificial material is placed, and then the incision is closed. Over time, the bone grows around the grafting material.

Besides restoring gumline and facial support, Drs. Sheldon and Furtado use this procedure to create a stable base for dental implant placement.

To make an appointment, call 321.259.8000 or click here to request an appointment online.