Our Flexible Gum Veneers are carefully crafted to your patients individual needs by highly experienced technicians at our Northampton laboratories using pioneering techniques and Gingivamoll(r). This unique material was developed especially for flexible epitheses. Clinically tested by The University of Zurich, Gingivamoll results showed a high percentage of patients were more than satisfied with it's retention, comfort and aesthetics, in fact 85% reported that neither their partners or friends were aware of their epitheses.1

Dental technicians are sometimes called on to produce gum veneers to cover unsightly gaps between teeth that have been subject to gingival and periodontal disease.
The accepted material has been denture acrylic, and some fine aesthetic results have been made. However, the hard veneers were impossible to be made further distal than the canines because of undercuts and they could also rub and further damage the delicate gingiva.
Soft and flexible silicone is a solution to these problems. It does not damage the condition and because of its flexibility can be extended as far as the molars if needed. The patient also appreciates a more "natural" feel without any discomfort.
The material looks and feels just like the lost tissue. Provided the patient observes the cleaning maintenance procedures these will offer at least one year of cosmetically problem free treatment.
They are not easy to make and the material will lose colour after about 12 to 24 months, depending on the habits of the patient. Smoking heavily has a bad effect, also coloured spices. For this reason, the veneers are made in pairs or in some cases as many as four at a time for people with high profile public lives. However, the results are so good that patients are happy to accept those drawbacks.
Construction
The clinical procedures are simple. Special trays are recommended making it a 2 stage procedure. A tray is made from a preliminary alginate impression covering the area to be treated. The tray is located on the incisal edges and buccal cusps of the teeth.
Before using this tray to make a rubber impression, a palate core is made using silicone putty. The interdental tags are trimmed to their bases with a scalpel to form a palatal seal which confines the rubber impression material to the interdental spaces.
The final impression is taken using a strong rubber material with the palatal core in position and careful removal is necessary to avoid tearing the vital interdental tags, which are, of course, accurate impressions of the inter-proximal spaces. Now the laboratory takes over.

Laboratory Procedure
It is helpful if the clinician can draw the extension on the preliminary model, since the patient's lip line can be assessed in the surgery. The working model is made in hard stone and the epithesis waxed up exactly as it is to appear.
The surface of the veneers is given its final appearance and characterisation. This is very important because after the material has set, contouring and polishing are no longer possible.
Dramatic results have been achieved with the flexible gingival veneers. As opposed to hard prosthesis, it offers better aesthetics and a more comfortable solution to patients after periodontal and implant surgery; where recession and phonetic problems may be present. The cosmetic benefits have enabled many patients to smile again with confidence.

Indications
1.
Gingival recession with root exposure and open interdental spaces due to loss of papillae after periodontal disease or therapy. Oral hygiene must be excellent.
2.
"Hissing" and "bubbling" through open interdental spaces causing phonetic problems.
3.
Provisional coverage prior to definite restorations.

Contraindications
1. Poor or unstable periodontal health.
2. Poor oral hygiene.
3. High caries activity.
4. Known allergy to silicone.
5. Heavy smokers.

Acknowledgments
Detax GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, manufacturer of Gingivamoll (Registered Trade Mark)

1 Full report is published by Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed No.100:967, 1990
Written copies can be obtained on request from Hemming Healthcare Laboratory.