Do you have a gummy smile? Understandably, you’ll feel embarrassed about it. A gummy smile, or excessive gingival display, is a condition where your gum is in full view when you smile. It can dampen your confidence. You don’t deserve to live with that. So, can you fix a gummy smile?

 

Yes, you can. You can fix a gummy smile through non-surgical procedures like veneer crowns or minimally-invasive surgical methods like Botox. The option might depend on the cause of the condition. Notably, a gummy smile may result from the wrong shape or size of teeth, an improper bite, a short or overactive upper lip, or abnormal dental eruption. Overly long gums may also cause a gummy smile.

 

Let’s now consider the treatment options to correct a gummy smile.

 

 

 

Crowns or crowns

 

Veneers or crowns can be attached to your teeth to make them look larger, thus causing the gum line to appear smaller in proportion. This is a non-invasive method to treat gummy smiles if there’s no underlying cause for the condition. It is purely for aesthetic purposes; therefore, it won’t be handling any pain or discomfort.

 

 

 

Orthodontic procedure

 

If your gummy smile is caused by a jaw issue, you can easily correct it through orthodontic treatment. It is a non-surgical procedure aiming to fix your jaw’s underlying problem. Jaw issues typically cause improper bite, pain, and discomfort, so this method will eliminate all of those challenges.

 

With a properly aligned jaw, your smile will form as it ought to, with minimal or zero appearance of your gum line. Ensure you consult your doctor to know if this is the most appropriate option for you.

 

 

 

Root scaling and planing

 

Scaling is done by removing all the plaque and tartar above and below the gun line and cleaning the teeth down to the roots. After that, the dentist begins planning by smoothing out the roots to enable the gum to reattach itself.

 

Root scaling and planing is an excellent way to clean your teeth while correcting your gum line.

 

 

 

Gingivectomy (gum contouring)

 

Gingivectomy or gum lift is a crown lengthening that removes gum tissue from the root, thereby reducing the gum line and exposing more teeth. It is more or less the opposite of the veneer method.

Crown lengthening is one way to go if you’re comfortable with a surgical cure for a gummy smile, and it is quite popular. This might be the best option when your teeth size is rather small in proportion to your gum line. The procedure lifts the gum to reveal more teeth. Although surgical, it is minimally invasive; however, you’ll be given anesthesia for the discomfort.

 

 

 

Botox

 

If the underlying cause of your gummy smile is short or overactive lips, Botox is the best method for it. Botox treatment is a minimally invasive procedure with a vast array of uses, ranging from anti-aging to correcting gummy smiles and excessive sweating.

 

Botox works by injecting your upper lip, filling them out (enlargement), and reducing the range of movement. So when you smile, the once overactive upper lip will no longer move up to reveal your gum line excessively. It’s a fast surgical procedure, and you can get back to whatever you’re doing as soon as the surgeon completes the process. However, it’s not permanent, and you would need to repeat the procedure after some months.

 

 

 

Lip repositioning

 

Lip repositioning surgery is another option for correcting gummy smiles caused by a hyperactive upper lip. It works by surgically moving your upper lip downward to hide your exposed gum line. Your smile becomes proportionate, and you won’t be afraid to take happy selfies anymore.

 

 

 

Laser gum contouring

 

Laser gum contouring works similarly to gingivectomy but makes use of a laser. Using the laser to contour and move back the gum line, your smile becomes more proportionate as less gum tissue is in view. In some cases, laser gum contouring is preferred to traditional gingivectomy as it typically removes more gum tissue. However, the amount of tissue it removes will depend on the shape of the mouth and gum. As with traditional gingivectomy, laser gum contouring can cause discomfort, so you’ll be given anesthesia.

 

 

 

 

Final words

 

A gummy smile isn’t always a medical issue that requires treatment. Notwithstanding, correcting a gummy smile is a good way to regain your confidence as your smile becomes more beautiful. You no longer have to avoid smiling and shying away from the camera.

 

Whatever treatment option you choose, make sure you consult with your orthodontist or dentist. They’ll ask you questions to evaluate your situation if an underlying issue is present. That will help to determine the best option to apply.