Re: Correcting a gummy smile - how much can they correct?

[Guest guest]

When I went for my pre-surgery surgeon consult 2 weeks ago, he

informed me that I have exactly one cm of gum showing above my teeth

and he would only be able to fix 5-6 mm of it. He explained that

this is because if he cut anymore gum out, he would cut the roots of

my teeth, and then all my teeth would fall out! Some people that

have shorter roots can probably get a bigger improvement. He also

mentioned that they can cosmetically bring your upper lip down so

that it covers more of your gums. For me it was a shock, because

like you, I thought that having the surgery would correct any little

bit of gum showing no problem. But now that I am over the shock and

understand the reasoning, I will be happy to have half my gum gone

in 9 days!!!!

~LIsa~

> Hey just a brief question that occured to me:

>

> When I went for my OS consult he said that I should have upper

surgery

> to correct my gummy smile, but the other OS who was present said

> something along the lines of it being able to be improved, but not

> eliminated.

>

> Why is this? What factors affect how far they can move the upper

jaw?

>

> I ask because I'm sure Ive seen patients with a huge amount of

> correction - going from something extreme like 2-3cm of gum

showing to

> near 0.

>

> Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sweetpearl, that makes perfect sense now you've pointed out

about the roots of the teeth. Thank you!

> > Hey just a brief question that occured to me:

> >

> > When I went for my OS consult he said that I should have upper

> surgery

> > to correct my gummy smile, but the other OS who was present said

> > something along the lines of it being able to be improved, but

not

> > eliminated.

> >

> > Why is this? What factors affect how far they can move the upper

> jaw?

> >

> > I ask because I'm sure Ive seen patients with a huge amount of

> > correction - going from something extreme like 2-3cm of gum

> showing to

> > near 0.

> >

> > Thanks!