Help - dental question...should I get this done?

Question

This is is kind of hard to explain so it might sound weird but if you understand I'd like some advice. I just got my braces off (I'm almost 17) and my orthodontist told me recently that there is something else I might want to think about getting done. He said that the reason that my teeth look so small is because I have more gum than normal covering my teeth...it's not bad for my health or anything and it feels fine to me but after he told me that I've been all insecure about my smile because you can't really see people's gums when they smile but you kind of can see mine when I do. He said I could get this thing done where they just like shave off some of the gum and it will be fine but I don't know...plus my parents told me that once you get older your gums die down anyway so I might as well not. I don't know. What do you all think? [sorry for making you read so much by the way]

Answer 1

I got told that once too about my lower front teeth when I went for a cleaning. I declined it and told the doctor that I was not interested at the moment, his response was that my teeth where small in my lower front but with a reduction of gum. they would look longer, well I like the way they look and I said no way, Don't be insecure about your smile, if its not affecting your teeth and your health and you didn't even notice till he mention it then don't bother and be happy with yourself. I am a dental assistant as well and I asked the periodontist that I work for and he told me that it is only for aesthetic purpose.

Answer 2

Well if your gum will get smaller in the future then there is no point but how far in the future and is it 100%

i think i would get it done i mean you got the chance and if your not happy with them then it is going to make you feel better about your smile

good luck with what you choose

=]

Answer 3

right

when i smile you can see all my gums, literally. im sure it doesnt look that bad, but now your conscience of it your probably seeing it in quite a bad light. i think if no one outside of the dentist have ever mentioned your teeth being particulary small then you should leave it, if no one notices anyway then theres no point. but if people tell you all the time you should consider it more. ask people what they think?

Answer 4

i have three friends who have had this done.

their teeth look awesome now.

however, they said it hurt quite a bit to start with, but was worth the pain.

but if you have had braces, you probably know what pain is LOL.

i had them too, and how much do they KILL.

talk to your dentist about it..

see what he says and what his recommendations are.

If your parents are willing to pay, i say yes:)

x*x