gum lift

gum lift

English

Etymology

From gum + lift, apparently by analogy with face lift.

Noun

gum lift (plural gum lifts)

1. (cosmetic dentistry) A gingivectomy performed for the aesthetic purpose of raising or shaping the gum line.
   • 2000 June, Lorin Berland, "Digital art helps patients accept treatment", Dental Practice Report, page 24,

     Cosmetic imaging helps my patients see for themselves how gum lifts can make the difference between a satisfactory case and a great case.

   • 2002 summer, John A. Merrill, "Clinical Case Report: All-Ceramic Crown on Maxillary Left Central Incisor", in The Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, Volume 18, Number 2, page 54,

     A simple gum lift (gingivectomy) would not produce the desired results, as the actual mesiodistal root dimension is deficient.

   • 2003 January 15, [e-mail], "various comments on the subject of teeth", rec.arts.bodyart, Usenet,

     so i saw on the news the other day a report on "gum lifts".... if you have a rather-too gummy smile, you apparently can now pay $800-3000 bucks for a periodontist to evaluate the gumminess of your smile, gentian-violet your face, & carve away big chunks of gum tissue.

   • 2006 January 18, Olivia Barker, "Patients smile at getting long in the tooth", USA Today,

     Those whose smiles are more Mister Ed than Miss America have a new hope: the gum lift.