There has been an occasion or two when you have met someone who had a gummy smile. That smile is all about perception, but now it might be all you see when they smile. You only notice their gums, not any other outstanding features they may have. And maybe this person is you.
We all have flaws, real or imagined, that we do not like about our face and our smile. If you hate your gummy smile, there are some common solutions.
What Makes for a Perfect Smile
The only data available to determine a gummy smile is the amount of gum exposed during a smile. 2 millimeters is considered optimal, around 3 millimeters is considered a gummy smile. You are looking at a balance of tooth to gum ration.
An Examination will Identify the Cause of Your Gummy Smile
If you are indeed unhappy with what you perceive is a gummy smile, your first step should be to visit your dentist for an examination. Before they can recommend a solution to your gummy smile, you need to first find out the cause for why more gum than teeth are visible when you smile.
There are a number of reasons this happens, but only a dental professional can diagnose the reasons by conducting an examination. Treatment will be based on the diagnosis and what exactly is causing your gummy smile.
Some causes are genetic and include:
- Excessive gum tissue.
- Small teeth.
- A short upper lip.
- An improper or uncomfortable bite.
Your dental professional will identify the cause and suggest some solutions.
Five Solutions to Improve a Gummy Smile
Some treatments are less invasive than others. Some will include surgical intervention.
- Botox Injections- This is a short-term correction because you will need to have it repeated every few months. Botox is injected into your upper lip to freeze the muscles and prevent contraction of the upper lip when you smile. This is a less invasive way to clarify if you like your fresh look.
- Lip Filler Injections- A gel volume filler substance can be injected into the upper lip to make it fuller. This will also result in the gums being less noticeable. This option is more expensive than Botox.
- Laser or Scalpel Gingivectomy Surgery- Also known as a gum lift procedure, this involves removing some of the excessive gum tissue, and sometimes bone, to expose more teeth. It is a sculpting procedure to even out the gum line, making for a more natural smile.
- Laser Gum Contouring- By using a laser, the excessive gum tissue can be removed exposing more of the teeth. The added benefit of this treatment is the laser also seals the tissue, requiring no sutures.
- Lip Repositioning Surgery or Lip Lowering Procedure- A small strip of tissue from the inside of the upper lip is removed. The cut is then sutured to the gums, which will prevent your lip from pulling up too much when you smile. An extra bonus for many women, who find they have a fuller upper lip after this procedure.
- Corrective Jaw Surgery- Reserved for very severe cases, this surgery will reposition the upper jaw.
If you are truly bothered by a gummy smile, contact your dentist for an evaluation.