Gummy Smile Treatment

Smile with confidence

We believe that everybody deserves to smile with confidence.

Sometimes you may feel that you show too much gum when smiling.

A gummy smile is known as an excessive gingiva display in doctor language and is present when you show too much gum tissue above your teeth when you smile. There isn’t a fixed definition of a gummy smile and is mainly based on our perception. In most cases, we consider an attractive smile when around 2-3 millimetres or less is displayed on smiling.

What causes a gummy smile?

There are many reasons for a gummy smile; the most common are:

• teeth did not erupt properly and are still partially covered by gum tissue
• teeth appear small compared to the gum tissue due to wear or genetics
• the upper lip is too short or hyperactive and lifts too high when smiling
• gingival hypertrophy – gums are enlarged
• An overgrowth of the upper jaw, called vertical maxillary excess that makes gums bulge out.

In most cases, smile aesthetic depends on the relation of teeth, lips, jaws or gums, and some of them can be corrected.

On the other hand, if the condition behind the gummy smile is genetic, there is not much you can do to prevent it.

Is it possible to improve a gummy smile?

There are different ways to improve a gummy smile, and each approach depends on the reason behind the condition. Some of the treatments include:

• orthodontic and/or orthognathic treatment
• gum contouring/levelling which removes excess of gum tissue and is a part of the periodontal treatment
• crown lengthening – during periodontal procedure gum tissue is removed and the bone can be modified and re-contoured to provide a longer crown appearance
• if the teeth are too short due to wear, restorations such as dental veneers or dental crowns can make the teeth appear longer and improve the tooth-to-gum ratio
• botox – to reduce high pulling effect if the upper lip is hyperactive. This treatment gives temporary results and lasts about three to four months and should be repeated after this time.

If you would like to discuss possible treatment options, please book your consultation appointment.