How Long Does It Take to Recover from Gummy Smile Surgery?

An imbalanced gum-to-tooth ratio can cause other dental issues and can make some people feel uncomfortable about their smile. Luckily, this can be corrected with gummy smile surgery. Several procedures can be used, including lip lowering, crown lengthening and gum contouring. Although these are minimally invasive procedures, they are considered surgery and do require recovery time. The gummy smile surgery recovery can vary based on the type and extent of your treatment, though.

Stitches or bandages may be applied over the surgical site immediately following the procedure. Our surgeon will go over how to care for these and when to return if needed. You may need to avoid flashing big smiles or laughing with a big smile for a few days to a week, as this can pull the stitches or cause pain. We will explain how to properly clean your teeth while you heal, also. You will need to use a gentle hand while brushing and floss carefully to avoid disrupting the healing tissues.

Most people recover fully within two weeks after a minor procedure. If large amounts of gum and bone tissue were removed, your recovery may be somewhat longer. Yet, the recovery can be shorter if the procedure was less extensive or involved only the lip. Call us to learn more about correcting gummy smiles or to schedule an appointment with our team.