Much is said about teeth when discussing dental esthetics. Rarely about gums. Yet the gingival frame is as important as the teeth themselves in composing a beautiful smile. Overly visible gums (gummy smile), asymmetrical gums, missing interdental papillae: all situations that impair overall harmony and that cosmetic dental surgery can correct.
At Clinique Dentaire Longchamp in Casablanca, cosmetic dental surgery is performed by Dr El Belghami Kadiri Chafika, whose training in paro-implantology at Columbia University gives her rare mastery of these techniques at the boundary between dentistry and esthetic surgery.
This guide explains which procedures fall under cosmetic dental surgery, in which cases it is indicated, and what you can expect in terms of results and post-operative follow-up.
A gummy smile occurs when more than two to three millimeters of gum appear above the teeth when smiling. It is a common situation, often genetic, and can also result from incomplete tooth eruption (the teeth appear short because the gum partially covers them).
Gingivectomy or gingival reshaping surgery involves removing or redesigning the gum to expose more of the dental crowns and create a more harmonious tooth-to-gum proportion. Performed under local anesthesia, the procedure generally lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Follow-up is light: one week of dietary precautions and adapted hygiene.
The result, combined with veneers if the teeth still lack volume or esthetics, can be absolutely transformative. It is often the missing piece of a Hollywood Smile.
Gingival recession (gum receding that exposes the tooth root) is both an esthetic and medical problem. Esthetic because it makes teeth look elongated and ages the smile. Medical because exposed roots are hypersensitive, more vulnerable to cavities, and often signal underlying bone loss.
A gingival graft involves taking a small fragment of tissue (from the palate or via biomaterials) and placing it over the recession area to recreate a protective gingival covering. Performed under local anesthesia, it requires a few weeks of healing. Results at six months are remarkable: the smile regains its balance and the tooth its natural protection.
This procedure is indicated before implant placement in areas of severe recession, and before some veneer or crown placements to ensure a stable gingival frame.
Cosmetic dental surgery is precise, effective, and often underestimated in its esthetic impact. If your gums make you self-conscious, or if you have been informed of gingival recession, do not put it off.
Consult Dr El Belghami Kadiri Chafika at Clinique Dentaire Longchamp. A complete periodontal assessment will tell you exactly what is possible and within what timeframe.
