Do you get embarrassed about the way your smile looks?

Do you feel like your gums steal the show every time you grin? It’s time to take control and get the perfect smile you deserve! With a single visit to the dentist, you can say goodbye to excessive gingival display, also known as gummy smile. But what causes gummy smiles in the first place?

A few factors are involved, from genetics to the position of your teeth. However, your dentist can help you identify the cause and choose the best treatment option. So don’t let your gums hold you back any longer. Let’s explore the solutions for fixing gummy smiles together!

WHAT IS A GUMMY SMILE?

You may have a gummy smile if your gums are excessively visible when you smile. Any smile is considered gummy when gums are more than 4 mm visible above the upper teeth when a person smiles. It can be generalized across the entire smile or just a few teeth. Gummy smiles are typically more recurrent in females as compared to males.

A gummy smile can be characterized as:

  • Wrong growth of teeth during childhood.
  • Excessive growth of the jaw or downward movement of the upper teeth.

Almost 10.5% to 29% of people usually have a gummy smile, so it’s nothing to worry about. Among all these people, some choose to fix it, and some get generally comfortable with it and do nothing about it.

PRIMARY CAUSES OF GUMMY SMILE

A gummy smile can develop due to a myriad of reasons. So many unpredictable factors can result in showing your gums more than they should.

Below are some of the most common causes of gummy smiles:

  1. Shorter upper teeth that remain covered by gum tissue.
  2. An upper lip that is too short and cannot conceal the excessively revealing gums.
  3. Due to genetics, teeth grow in relatively smaller sizes.
  4. An upper lip that lifts generally lifts high when smiling.
  5. Gingival hypertrophy (enlarged gum tissue).
  6. Maxillary excess.

Sometimes, a gummy smile is developed just because of genetics. In such situations, individuals can do nothing about it to prevent it.

TREATMENT OPTIONS OF A GUMMY SMILE

You can go for different treatment methods to fix your gummy smile. Firstly, you need to book an appointment with your dentist. In this session, he will thoroughly assess your oral health and the reason behind your gummy smile. He can then determine the suitable treatment for fixing the exposed gums when smiling.

The treatment method he suggests can vary based on certain factors. These will typically include the longevity of results, complexity, and possible side effects. Thus, you need to discuss every concern of yours with your oral health care practitioner before opting for any treatment option. Here are the top 4 treatments that dentists usually recommend for a gummy smile:

1. CROWN LENGTHENING

Crown Lengthening is an oral treatment procedure that involves the removal of excess gum tissue to reveal more of the tooth’s crown. This procedure is performed by a specialized dentist known as a periodontist.

The process consists of two parts: gingivectomy, which involves removing the surplus gum tissue, and osseous surgery, which entails removing the excess bone and shaping the jawbone. The need for both stages of the procedure can vary for every patient, depending on the extent of excess gum tissues.

Crown Lengthening
Orthodontic Treatment

2. ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Another effective way to fix a gummy smile is to undergo orthodontic treatments, such as clear aligners and braces. Both approaches can help move your teeth in a more appropriate direction, which can correct some gummy smiles. However, you should remember that orthodontic treatments cannot solve all gummy smiles.

3. GINGIVECTOMY/GUM LIFT

A gingivectomy can be an excellent treatment option if you have a gummy smile caused by overgrown gums. This type of periodontal surgery is also known as a “gum lift.” A gingivectomy can be completed in just one appointment with your dentist or periodontist. It may involve using a laser to reshape and remove the excess gum tissue. This will effectively reduce the height of your gums and create more symmetry in your gum line.

Gingivectomy / Gum Lift
Jaw Surgery

4. JAW SURGERY

In certain severe cases, when other treatments don’t prove helpful in correcting a gummy smile or gums that are too exposed, dentists suggest jaw surgeries. A specialist orthodontist and oral surgeon performs this invasive surgical procedure. During the procedure, the upper jaw is surgically moved upwards.

After completing these surgical processes, patients need a few weeks to recover fully. Moreover, it’s the last option that dentists choose when other treatment options bring no positive improvements.

SUMMARY

Many people suffer from a gummy smile. Some are OK with it, and others may find it unattractive or self-conscious. Multiple reasons behind the development of a gummy smile exist. However, the good news is that various treatment options are available to fix a gummy smile. So, if you feel embarrassed about the appearance of your smile, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist and get your smile fixed.

FAQs:

Yes, studies have shown that women tend to display more gums when smiling than men. Additionally, the prevalence of a gummy smile typically decreases with age. This occurrence is due to various age-related factors, such as the loss of muscle tone. This ultimately contributes to the reduced visibility of upper teeth and increased visibility of lower teeth.

Here are some tips you can try at home to reduce the appearance of your gums when you smile:

  • Use your index finger to massage the wings of your nose down along the corners of your mouth for 30 seconds.
  • Open your mouth wide and hold your lips for 10 seconds.
  • Keep your lips closed, and smile as wide as possible for a few seconds.
  • Suck on your cheeks. This might make your mouth look like a fish’s mouth, but it can help reduce your gummy smile over time.

Yes, orthodontic treatments like crowns and veneers can make your teeth appear relatively longer. This will, in turn, balance the positioning of your teeth and gums, correcting your gummy smile.