A gummy smile, also known as excessive gingival display in the dental community, is when you smile and too much gum tissue is visible above the top teeth. We see patients all the time here at Accent Smile Center who have concerns about their gummy smiles being less attractive and often feel self-conscious. If this sounds relatable to you, we have great news! A gummy smile can be corrected with the right knowledge and expertise.
There are a few different causes of gummy smiles and each one will have a different treatment. Thankfully, Dr. Gatgens and Dr. Wilson have what it takes to give you the smile of your dreams! Keep reading to find out what causes a gummy smile and how it can be fixed.
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile is one of those dental issues that doesn’t have one specific definition. Since it is largely based on perception, you’ll likely know a gummy smile when you see it. There have even been studies conducted to determine what people consider excessive gingival display. In most cases, subjects rated smiles as attractive when two millimeters or less of gum tissue was exposed. Any more than that and subjects considered a smile to be “too gummy”.
What causes a gummy smile?
There are quite a few causes of a gummy smile, so let’s take a closer look at the most common ones:
- Teeth that appear short due to premature eruption and remain partially covered by gum tissue
- Teeth that are small in comparison to the gums due to genetics or wear and tear
- A short upper lip
- A hyperactive upper lip that is normal in length when the face is resting but raises too high when smiling
- Gums that are long or enlarged, known as gingival hypertrophy
- An overgrowth of the upper jaw, called vertical maxillary excess, makes gums bulge out
Did you notice what all of these causes have in common? They’re all related to the teeth, lips, jaws, or gums, which happen to be the key components of your smile! An aesthetically pleasing smile is all about proportion, so if one aspect is off-kilter, it will throw off the balance of your entire smile. Unfortunately, many of the factors that contribute to gummy smiles are genetic so they can’t be prevented. But with a little help from the team at Accent Smile Center, you can get a pleasant smile in no time.
Treatment options for gummy smiles
As we mentioned before, the exact treatment for a gummy smile will be chosen once Dr. Gatgens or Dr. Wilson determines the underlying cause. Options include:
- If the underlying reason for excessive gingival display is mild or due to the jaws or teeth, it can sometimes be fixed with orthodontics alone. Your doctor will use braces or another orthodontic appliance to shift the bite into the correct position and make the gums appear less prominent. When we perform treatment for a gummy smile in our Dickson office, we often use braces or Invisalign along with temporary anchorage devices (TADS), which are little titanium implants that are anchored into the bone above the teeth to provide a stable point from which to apply force. This might sound scary, but don’t worry! The procedure is very simple and the device is only temporary.
- If the cause of your gummy smile is moderate to severe jaw protrusion, the best course of action is typically orthognathic surgery, also known as jaw surgery, combined with orthodontic treatment. An oral surgeon will recontour the upper jaw so that it’s the correct size and then move it upward into its ideal position before securing it with plates and screws. This is done under general anesthesia and requires a hospital stay. Dr. Gatgens and Dr. Wilson work closely with patients and oral surgeons to provide a comprehensive approach, typically starting off with a round of braces for about a year. Surgery will take place after the first round of braces followed by another year of treatment to solidify your bite. While jaw surgery does have a lengthier recovery time and a higher cost, it will lead to dramatic results!
- Crowns or veneers can be used to make the teeth appear longer and improve the tooth-to-gum ratio if your teeth are too short.
- If there is too much gum tissue present, we can perform a laser gingivectomy. This procedure involves removing the extra gum tissue and reshaping it to expose more of the teeth and improve the appearance of your smile.
- If the teeth aren’t fully erupted, laser crown-lengthening surgery is an option. This involves removing gum tissue and/or bone to expose more tooth surface and let the gums retract back to their correct position.
- Lip repositioning surgery followed by orthodontic treatment can be a viable alternative to jaw surgery if the excessive gingival display is the result of a short or hyperactive upper lip.
- Laser gum contouring is a procedure that can remove extra gum tissue without the need to go under the knife for those with gums that extend too far down covering their teeth.
Find the perfect treatment for a gummy smile at Accent Smile Center
Receiving a correct diagnosis is the key to correcting a gummy smile. Dr. Gatgens and Dr. Wilson have the training and experience necessary to get to the root cause of your gummy smile and will only recommend the treatment that will be the best for your unique needs. As always success begins with the proper planning and diagnosis to achieve the best final result! We always take a CBCT 3-D scan and well as digital photos and a digital intraoral scan of the gums and teeth to plan the best outcome.
If you’re concerned about a gummy smile, our team is here for you! Contact our Dickson office to schedule an appointment today. We can’t wait to help you get the smile of your dreams!