When you smile, do your front teeth look too small for your face? Or, do you see too much of your gums on your upper teeth? If you experience these two problems, a visit to a cosmetic dentist might be just what you need. A cosmetic dentist, such as those at Kemper Pond Dental, can fix these issues with two different services: veneers and gum reshaping. You may need one of these to fix the problem, or you might need both.

What Is Gum Reshaping?

Gum reshaping is a procedure that involves removing a portion of the gums. This procedure is used when a person's gums cover too much of their teeth. When this happens, a person's teeth often look really small and short. A dentist can cut away some of the gums and contour them so the gum lines are straight. When complete, it often leaves a person with teeth that appear much longer.

When this is done, the parts of the teeth that have been covered may be a different color than the exposed parts of your teeth, but your dentist might be able to fix this with teeth-whitening services.

What Are Veneers?

In some cases, gum reshaping is enough to correct the problem of having teeth that look too small. If it is, then you will not need to go through another procedure. If this is not enough to fix the problem completely, your dentist may recommend veneers.

Dental veneers are products used for many purposes, including making teeth larger and longer, and they come in several types. Porcelain veneers are the most common and most durable type, but you can talk to your dentist about other options too.

A porcelain veneer is designed to fit over a tooth. When the dentist makes them to fix your short teeth, he or she will create them longer than your original teeth. By doing this, they will make your teeth appear larger, and this will completely solve the problem you have. When they are placed on your teeth, your dentist will scrape the outer layer of your teeth off to make room for them and to ensure that they stick. This is a semi-permanent procedure.

Using a combination of these two services is ideal for a person with a gummy smile and short teeth. If you would like to find out if these options are right for you, schedule a visit with a cosmetic dentist today.