Can Invisalign move teeth upward to correct gum line? (photos)

Question

The gumline is too low over my top canine teeth. A periodontist said a gumlift cannot bedone without veneers due to insufficient enamel. Gumlift can be done over central incisors. Can the canine teeth be raised with Invisalign or are metal braces required?

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

Moving teeth will do little to nothing to change tissue heights around your teeth. The teeth already look to be in their ideal location. You may want to seek a second opinion on gingival contouring. If the periodontist says the centrals can have a gingivectomy but the canines can't is peculiar in that the gingival heights of the two centrals should actually match the two canines. Good luck!

Charles Briscoe, DDS · Answer

To directly answer your questions, yes, Invisalign or braces can raise your canine teeth. But, I am not so sure that either Invisalign or braces are needed. Your main concern is lengthening your front teeth by raising your gums. You saw a periodontist about doing this, and he or she gave you their idea of how to accomplish your goal. Another thought would be to see a cosmetic dentist that is accustomed to using the laser to raise the gums over the front teeth.  The cuspids may be fine with bonding instead of veneers once the gums are raised. Getting the gums contoured with the laser to give longer appearing teeth is what you are really after. Get another opinion from a well qualified cosmetic dentist.

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

From your photo it does not look like your concern can be treated with any type of orthodontic therapy to get the results you desire. It looks as if you have a condition called "Delayed Passive Eruption" and there is too much bone covering the enamel of your teeth. This cannot be treated with a simple gum lift or gingivectomy. You need a "complete gum lift" which is referred to as "Esthetic Crown Lengthening" which is a more involved surgical procedure.In order to get this conditiion properly addressed, it must be done using the correct procedure. Esthetic crown lengthening  will  help make the teeth look the right length and the gums look less prominent. If this is not done first, even veneers will not look correct.Douglas Jopling,  DDS Dallas Texas area

Can Invisalign move teeth upward to correct gum line? (photos)

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Can Invisalign move teeth upward to correct gum line? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.