Does it seem like your smile exposes too much gum tissue? If so, you are not alone. As many as 14% of women and 7% of men have excessive gingival display (or a “gummy smile”) when they smile.[1] In most cases, your gum line could be responsible for your unbalanced smile. Luckily, there are various treatment options to fix your gummy smile, including options that can tackle multiple dental issues simultaneously.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
Many potential factors can contribute to a gummy smile. Abnormal eruption from excess gum tissue leaves the teeth partially covered, making them appear short. You could also have abnormally small teeth due to genetics or enamel wear and experience a similar effect.
Some gummy smiles are caused by a condition known as vertical maxillary excess.[2] With this condition, the upper jaw has an overgrowth that makes the gums appear to jut out and look more prominent when smiling. Additionally, you might have a hyperactive upper lip muscle that raises too high when smiling, exposing a higher amount of gum tissue.
Gingival hypertrophy occurs when gum tissue grows out of control, covering more teeth than it should.[2] A short upper lip is another common cause, again leading to showing too much gum when you smile.
Any of these factors could lead to an unbalanced smile. Sometimes, more than one factor can cause a gummy smile. It’s important to know the multiple causes so they can be treated effectively.
Gummy Smile Treatment Options
Cosmetic dentistry provides various treatment options to balance a gummy smile, depending on the specific issue and your smile goals. In some cases, orthodontic issues like a misaligned bite contribute to a gummy smile. Orthodontic treatments like braces or clear aligners can resolve that issue.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are often a highly effective and accessible option to balance a gummy smile. The thin sheets of porcelain fit over the front of your teeth, presenting a stunningly natural appearance. Dentists will customize the veneers to suit your specific needs. This treatment option can tackle various potential issues, including a gummy smile, permanent discoloration, chips, cracks, and other flaws.
Scaling and Root Planing
On one hand, your gummy smile could be caused by gum disease, which can irritate the gum tissue and cause it to swell. In these cases, scaling and root planing are effective and straightforward interventions. With these methods, the periodontist, a dental expert specializing in treating gum disease, removes bacteria in the pockets around your teeth to eliminate infection and reduce inflammation.
Crown Lengthening
Additionally, crown lengthening procedures remove excess gum tissue that causes a gummy smile. If there is too much gum tissue, this treatment may be the only option, providing a balanced smile with the appropriate amount of gum tissue and tooth showing.
Lip Repositioning Surgery
Lip repositioning surgery is a minor operation that removes a small section of tissue under the upper lip.[3] This procedure prevents the upper lip from rising too high, so less gum tissue shows when you smile.
Fix Your Gummy Smile with Empire Dental Care
If you want a balanced and beautiful smile, the team at Empire Dental Care can help. We provide veneers and other cosmetic dentistry treatments to deliver naturally stunning smiles that suit patients’ needs. Reach out today at 585-671-1650 or contact us online to book your consultation and learn more about your treatment options.
Sources:
[1] https://archive.nytimes.com/well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/31/bothered-by-a-gummy-smile/
