Gums appear light pink and are sharply defined. Bone completely surrounds the roots of the teeth. Healthy teeth and gums are maintained by daily plaque removal from all surfaces of the tooth (through tooth brushing and interdental cleaning).

The following features characterize healthy gums :

• pink or coral pink color, (normal variations in color depend on race and complexion)
• firm, resilient tissues
• 'orange-peel' texture (known as stippling)
• teeth are firmly anchored into the bone
• shape that follows the contour of the teeth and forms a scalloped edge
• no areas of redness, swelling or inflammation
• no bleeding during daily plaque removal
• no discomfort

The terms "gum contouring" and "gum sculpting" are used to refer to a surgical procedure where a person's gum line is repositioned so a greater percentage of that person's teeth is revealed. When you look at the upper teeth in the picture above (especially the lateral incisors, the two teeth that lie to each side of the center two teeth) it really does seem that only a portion of the teeth are showing. Sometimes people refer to this appearance as a "gummy smile".

A fair amount of variation can exist when it comes to the precise manner in which gum contouring is performed. And in all cases the specifics of the procedure need to be discussed with the prospective patient by the dentist who will perform the procedure (after the dentist has had opportunity to examine the patient). However, although gum contouring is technically a surgical one a person may find that it is much less involved than they might have anticipated. It simply depends on the conditions presented by the person's precise situation. Each person simply needs to ask their dentist for specific details.

If the teeth can be described as the canvas of a painting then the gums are the frame around the canvas in other words, the gum tissue can make or break your smile. Some people show significant amount of gums when they smile, infact sometimes they cover the tooth structure so much that teeth start appearing really short.

Smile Makeovers:
Since many aspects and angles of your current smile are taken into consideration, your Smile Makeover may also include a combination of treatments that may be right for you. Most are relatively simple procedures that are conservative, painless, fast, and surprisingly affordable. Aesthetic eye in the doctor will quickly repair chips, fill in spaces, and camouflage stains to give you a new smile that would have otherwise required years of braces and months of surgery and dental work.  Your beautiful smile can be created in as little as one or two days, so you, too, can enjoy the benefits of cosmetic dentistry!

Your smile is as personalized as your signature, and can make or break that critical first impression. Your smile is a statement about who you are.  The course of treatment will however determine as to how many subsequent visits will be necessary. For simple whitening cases, the BriteSmile or Zoom treatments of about an hour, will make the result last up to several years under honest caring regimen.

Am I a Candidate? If you answer yes to any of the following statements, you are a candidate for a smile designing/makeover

• I dislike the appearance of my smile.
• I'm embarrassed to smile.
• My teeth are chipped or broken.
• I have missing teeth.
• My teeth are crooked.
• My teeth are uneven.
• I have unsightly gaps between my teeth.
• My teeth are stained and discolored.
• My smile is keeping me from fulfilling my personal and professional life.
• I have grown a mustache or beard to cover my smile.