Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. With all the advances in dentistry, there is no reason why everyone can’t have a beautiful smile!  This being said, not every gummy smile is the same! Here are some common causes of and treatments for a gummy smile.

 

What is a Gummy Smile?

The ideal smile shows about one to three millimeters of gum tissue above the teeth. When very much more than 2 millimeters of gum tissue shows, it can give the appearance of a gummy smile.

 

Causes of a Gummy Smile

 

Improper Tooth Eruption

• Teeth don’t fully erupt from bone resulting in teeth that appear too short
• Teeth erupt too far into the mouth and give appearance of long upper jaw

 

Lip Moves Too Much During Smiling

• Results smile that shows too much tooth and gum

 

Overgrowth of Upper Jaw

• Upper jaw is too long and lip cannot cover teeth or gums

 

 

 

Treatments

There are different treatments depending on the cause of your gummy smile. Sometimes, a combination of treatments will give you the best results. Call your dentist for an evaluation!

 

Non-Surgical

• Orthodontics – used to intrude the teeth or to reposition them for function and esthetics
• Crowns or Veneers – to correct worn-down or short teeth

 

Surgical

• Periodontal Surgery – removal of gum tissue and sometimes some bone to expose “short” teeth. Recontouring of gums can sometimes be done with laser.
• Oral (Jaw Surgery) – repositioning of a long upper jaw to ideal position

 

Other Treatments May Include:

• Botox- to help with an upper lip that moves too much. Botox treatments must be repeated frequently.

 

Talk to your dentist if you are concerned about your smile! You have many options and a team of caring staff to help you make the best decision for you!