LipTuk™ Procedure in Houston, TX
At Smile Texas®, every smile should reflect balance, beauty, and confidence.
For patients who feel self-conscious about showing too much gum when they smile, we offer a minimally invasive treatment designed to address a more visible gumline than desired and create a more harmonious smile line. Whether caused by excess gum tissue, an upper lip that moves too much, or both, our gummy smile solution is a precise and effective way to restore symmetry and reveal your natural teeth.
Gum Lift (aesthetic crown lengthening) and LipTuk (lip repositioning)
Reduces excess gum tissue, minimizes upper lip movement, and creates a balanced, aesthetically ideal smile
Typically completed in a single visit, often under an hour
Minimal — most patients return to normal activities right away
Performed under local anesthetic with little post-procedure discomfort
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The aesthetically ideal smile has the upper lip line laying almost exactly across the top of the upper teeth. In other words, very little of the gum tissue is visible even when you smile broadly. Many people are self-conscious about this aspect of their smile.
The treatment of a gummy smile is the process by which the doctor removes excess gum tissue that causes your teeth to look too short and boxy. We use a Diode Laser, which gently and permanently removes the excess gum tissue that is hiding the top of the teeth. In addition, many cases need to have aesthetic crown lengthening, which is a minimally invasive microsurgery, with no visible stitches or downtime. Finally, some of our guests have a naturally overactive upper lip that moves up too high when they smile. This exposes the gum tissue to view and is often not considered optimal. Using a simple Lip Tuck procedure, we can reduce the amount that the upper lip moves to create a beautiful smile line. Guests who have had this procedure have loved their results!
There are many things that may cause someone to require a gingivectomy. Some of these include:
As part of a Smile Makeover, we often perform our procedure to eliminate the appearance of a “Gummy Smile.”
In many cases, these treatments are combined to achieve an aesthetically ideal smile that looks balanced, natural, and confident.
The Procedure is often combined with other cosmetic treatments at Smile Texas®, such as:
By addressing both gum tissue and tooth appearance, we ensure patients achieve smiles that look and feel correct for their unique features.
At Smile Texas, we can correct gummy smiles due to excess gum tissue, gummy smiles that need the teeth to be somewhat longer, and gummy smiles due to hyperactive upper lip muscles. The best course of treatment will vary for each patient. The doctors of Smile Texas will discuss which treatment will be best for you during your consultation.
At Smile Texas, we offer the following treatment options:
After we ascertain that the problem is the amount of gum tissue visible, we can reduce it with a diode laser. We plan out a line across your teeth where the final gumline should be. After anesthetizing the gums and surrounding area, the diode then removes the excess gum tissue, instantly cauterizing and closing the incisions at the same time. Our doctors often perform the procedure in conjunction with all-porcelain veneers. Results are amazing and will eliminate the look of a gummy smile.
If your teeth are too short from genetics or tooth wear, we perform aesthetic crown lengthening. This is a gentle surgical approach to remove excess gum tissue and set the stage for a beautiful new smile using all-porcelain veneers. These add length to your teeth, making them more proportionate to the gums. For aesthetic crown lengthening, there may also be some gum removal as discussed above.
After a local anesthetic is administered, a set of small incisions is made in the existing tissue that connects your lip to your gums. These incisions are made entirely inside the mouth, in the gums. This is a fast, effective procedure and has little post-procedure discomfort. The result is an upper lip that sits lower on the upper teeth, covering the gums to a normal degree.
“I simply cannot write enough positive things about Smile Texas. For someone that truly hated my smile/teeth, I could not be happier with the results. If you are self-conscious about your smile, do yourself a favor and set up a consultation appointment and arrive early so you can watch the lobby video for a while. You’ll see from the video they really understand how disliking your smile has an effect on you. Take the leap and you’ll join the ranks of everyone else that ‘wishes they had done it years ago.”
A gummy smile is the result of teeth that show too much gum tissue when a person smiles. If left untreated, it can cause self-consciousness and low self-esteem in some people. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available that can help improve your smile’s appearance by making it look more balanced and even. This can boost your confidence and help you in sharing your smile with others.
When you smile, if you feel that the appearance of your teeth is overshadowed by excessive gum exposure, then you may benefit from a reduction of the gums or an extension of your visible teeth. For some people, this can be due to your teeth appearing too short, even though they are more likely simply covered by excessive gum tissue.
Or your teeth may have shortened due to grinding. For others, it’s not a case of excess gum tissue; it’s a case of the muscle that controls your upper lip being hyperactive and causing your lip to rise up higher than normal. The best candidates for gummy smile treatment with the team at Smile Texas in Houston, TX, are individuals who have excess or unbalanced gum tissue. The treatment for a gummy smile may vary. For some, the removal of excess gum tissue is a great way to reveal more of the natural tooth enamel and balance out the upper and lower part of the smile. Alternatively, some patients might benefit from Botox™ injections, which are administered on the lip area to keep the upper lip from lifting when a smile occurs. This can disguise the gummy smile without oral surgery. During your consultation with our team, you can take the time to learn about each of these options, allowing you to make an informed decision about which method of treatment is best for you and whether you are a suitable candidate for injections or oral surgery.
You can’t put a price on the quality service they provide for lifelong confidence. I am overwhelmingly happy with my results, and it’s shown in my day-to-day activities.
No matter the approach the doctors use to address your gummy smile, your results will be beautiful.
Patients can expect:
Patients choose Smile Texas because experience matters. Smile Texas has completed thousands of Smile Makeovers, including gummy smile treatment!
Patients from all over Houston, Texas, the United States, and the world come to Smile Texas for their Smile Makeovers. Our experience means less hassle for you. In other words, we’ll transform your smile correctly the first time and make you look and feel more attractive without any heartache.
Questions? Call Us
To learn more about gummy smile treatment or to schedule a consultation, call our Smile Texas Houston office at (281) 265-7645.
Like any dental or cosmetic procedure, there are some risks, but they are generally low and depend on the specific treatment being performed. For laser gum contouring, a diode laser is used to precisely reshape the gum tissue. The laser simultaneously cauterizes as it works, which helps minimize bleeding and often eliminates the need for sutures. This can support a smooth and comfortable healing process compared to traditional scalpel techniques. Porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive restorative procedure and, when performed on appropriate candidates, carry a very low risk profile. For procedures that involve adjusting upper lip muscle activity, there is a small risk of temporary swelling, discomfort, or infection, as with any soft tissue procedure, though complications are uncommon when proper clinical protocols are followed.
A “gummy” smile refers to a mouth that appears overly exaggerated. Someone with a gummy smile has very noticeable gum tissue, and the upper lip reveals all of it when smiling. Several factors, including high lip lines, a short upper jaw, and excess gum tissue, can cause gummy smiles. Patients might be unaware of how they can treat this imbalance in the smile, but our team at Smile Texas in Houston, TX, can help with injections or gum tissue contouring.
Some people might think that having a gummy smile is unhealthy, but this is not the case. Having generous gum tissue does not directly cause health problems and can still be treated to make you more comfortable with your smile. Your teeth and gum tissues are just as susceptible to tooth decay and periodontal disease as those of someone without a gummy smile. In most situations, the gummy smile is simply an imperfection that may require a consultation with a dentist to resolve.
The LipTuk™ gum contouring procedure at Smile Texas usually takes about one to two hours. The exact length varies based on the extent of the treatment required. Your dentist will assess your specific condition during your first consultation. They’ll then provide a more accurate estimate of the time needed for your LipTuk™ appointment. This relatively quick process can transform your smile. It delivers immediate results that are noticeable right after the treatment is completed.
After undergoing the LipTuk™ procedure, waiting a few hours before eating or drinking is generally recommended. This allows time for the local anesthesia to wear off completely. It also helps to avoid any accidental injury to the numb areas of your mouth.
Your dentist will give you post-treatment guidelines tailored to your situation. This will include a list of the types of foods and beverages to avoid. In most cases, patients are told to consume soft foods and avoid very hot or spicy foods for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Like any dental procedure, the LipTuk™ treatment may have some side effects. Common side effects include:
These symptoms are usually temporary and should subside within a few days.
Infection is a rare but possible complication. Following your dentist’s care instructions can help prevent this issue and ensure your gums stay healthy. If you have severe pain, excessive bleeding, or signs of infection, contact Smile Texas® immediately for further guidance.
The recovery period for the LipTuk™ procedure is relatively short. Most patients can go back to normal activities immediately. However, complete gum healing may take up to a week. During this time, you must maintain good oral hygiene and follow the care instructions your dentist provides. Avoiding strenuous activities and being gentle with your brushing and flossing around the treated area will help to promote a smooth recovery.
