My Front Tooth Implant Makes My Gums Uneven

Posted by AllSmiles

After getting an implant for my left front tooth, the gumline is still higher than my other teeth. My dentist said that the temporary crown would give my gumline a chance to settle, but it has been almost three months, and the unevenness makes my $5,400 implant look fake. Is this issue likely to resolve on its own? – Thanks, Jon from Allentown, PA

Jon,

Thank you for your question.

Before dental implant surgery, a dentist or oral surgeon must determine the optimal position for your implant so that it looks like it is coming out of your gums—not sitting on your gumline.

Sometimes a temporary implant crown allows the gum to grow down to the crown. But if it has been almost three months and you do not see any improvement, your dentist needs to intervene.

Especially if your gumline shows when you smile, you want it to be even with the rest of your teeth. You can insist that your dentist corrects the issue while you are wearing the temporary crown. Otherwise, your final implant crown may not look any better.

What to Do About an Uneven Gumline After Dental implants

If your gumline is uneven after dental implants, it could require additional surgery. If you have enough gum tissue above the implants, a dentist or periodontist can stretch and secure it over the edge of your dental crown. Otherwise, a dentist can take gum tissue from the roof of your mouth,

If your dentist is not skilled with gum grafting or contouring, you can look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training to complete the work. Consider scheduling a second opinion with a skilled cosmetic dentist to discuss your options. You will get natural-looking results that help your dental implant blend with your natural teeth.

 

Thomas J. Goebel, DDS, of Moline, IL, sponsors this post.