Often, when people smile, as well as being unhappy with their teeth they show large amounts of gum. A smile that is deemed attractive usually has the top lip covering the necks of the upper teeth by 1-2 mm or has 1-2 mm of gum showing. Thus there is a range of positions for the upper lip.

A smile showing large amounts of gum above the teeth can be improved by a gum lift or “crown lengthening” in the dental world. This procedure is most often done in conjunction with veneers, crowns, dental bridges or dental implants.

This lady was unhappy with her unsightly front teeth crowns and the amount of gum that showed. Some gum was removed (gum lift) and new crowns placed on her upper and lower teeth.