Your smile is one of your most important features. However, for many people, their smile can be a major sauce of embarrassment and insecurity. A gummy smile is often one of the leading reasons people feel uncomfortable with their smile, resulting in people holding back their smile.
A gummy smile can be caused by a wide range of issues, but the most common being due to an incorrect bite, issues with how the jaw developed, or a hyperactive or overly short upper lip. Whatever the cause might be, working with a professional cosmetic dentist can help you to transform your smile and give you the confidence to flash those pearly whites.
How To Fix A Gummy Smile
If you are feeling self-conscious about your gummy smile and want to fix your smile, then there are thankfully multiple options available. These come in both surgical and non-surgical options and are designed to help you enjoy the smile that you have always dreamt of.
We know how embarrassing a gummy smile can be, which is why we have taken a closer look at some of the best methods of fixing your smile:
Orthodontic Treatment
One of the most common methods of fixing a gummy smile is through orthodontic treatment. This is a great solution if your gummy smile is caused due to issues with how your jaw developed as you grew up or due to an improper bite.
These underlying issues can be very worrying, but orthodontic treatment will help you to treat these conditions and restore your smile. Not only can this treatment help you correct the aesthetics of your smile, but it can also help you to reduce any discomfort and pain that the conditions might be causing you, too.
This form of orthodontic treatment will allow you to enjoy a beautifully aligned smile, helping to minimize how much of your gums are on display, reducing the appearance of your gummy smile. Of course, this is not always the best option for everyone, so before opting for orthodontic treatment, you should speak with your dental care provider to ensure that this is the right solution for you.
Veneers and Crowns
If there is no obvious underlying cause for your gummy smile, then opting for veneers or a crown will be able to help you transform your features and give you the confidence to smile anytime. The use of a crown or a veneer is a form of aesthetic treatment, so if you are also experiencing any pain, bleeding, or sensitivity along with your gummy smile, then this might not be the best form of treatment for you.
When having veneers or crowns added, your dentist will be working to make your teeth appear longer and larger. This will help to make them appear more in proportion to your gums, reducing the appearance of a gummy smile and improving your overall aesthetics.
Of course, while adding veneers or crowns to your teeth can help to improve your gummy smile through a non-invasive procedure, it might not be the best solution. Discussing your needs and concerns with your cosmetic dentist will ensure you are always getting the best treatment possible.
Root Planing and Scaling
If your gummy smile is not too severe, then your dentist might suggest that you opt for a root planing and scaling procedure. This is a very common type of dental treatment, that not only transforms your smile but will also leave your teeth looking and feeling much cleaner.
This process involves your dental care provider removing plaque and other build up from the tooth, cleaning it all the way to the root and under the gum. This process is not usually painful and can help to extend the longevity and health of your teeth. Once the dentist has been able to fully scale your teeth, they will then smooth out the roots of your teeth, helping your gums to reattach and changing the overall gum line.
A root planing and scaling is not always the best solution for a gummy smile, so it might not work on more severe levels of excessive gingival display.
Crown-Lengthening Procedure (Gingivectomy)
For more severe cases of a gummy smile, then a crown-lengthening procedure (known as a gingivectomy) can be a fantastic solution. This is a thorough surgical procedure and is now one of the most common methods of fixing a gummy smile.
A crown-lengthening procedure involves your cosmetic dentist removing some of the gum tissue from around your teeth, helping to expose more of the tooth, and removing the appearance of excess gum. This procedure is effectively the opposite of adding a crown or veneer. While that non-invasive procedure is designed to extend the tooth and make it appear in proportion to the rest of your mouth, a gingivectomy will actually lessen the amount of gum they have.
This is a far more invasive procedure and can be a little uncomfortable for a short while, but it is still considered a relatively minimal orthodontic procedure. This makes it a great option for a wide range of individuals, but as with any procedure, it is important that you understand exactly what happens and any risks involved.
Laser Gum Contouring
This form of gummy smile treatment is very similar to a crown-lengthening procedure, but unlike a gingivectomy this method uses a laser to help change the shape of your gums, contouring them and moving your gum line further back.
This is a rather minimally invasive procedure, helping to improve the aesthetics of your smile and supporting you to feel more comfortable with your grin. Laser gum contouring is traditionally just for cosmetic reasons and will not help to improve any pain or discomfort you are experiencing with your teeth. This method of treatment does not remove as much of the gum tissue as a gingivectomy does, and the shape of the gum will depend on each individual patient.
When having this procedure, your dentist will give you a local anesthetic, ensuring that you will not feel any pain during the contouring. However, it is common to notice a little discomfort immediately after when the anesthetic wears off, but this will depend on how much gum is being removed. Your cosmetic dentist will be able to discuss this with you before your procedure.
Lip Repositioning Surgery and Botox
Another very common method of fixing a gummy smile is through lip repositioning surgery or Botox. If your smile is caused by a hyperactive upper lip, then this procedure will help to transform your appearance and give you the confidence to smile on any occasion.
A lip repositioning surgery involves bringing your lip downward, hiding more of your gum, and helping to make your smile more proportional. This can be a very effective solution but also a relatively invasive procedure and should be considered only after discussing all of your options with your cosmetic dentist.
If your gummy smile is not so severe and surgery is not required, then Botox can be a great alternative. This injection will restrict the movement of your lip, seeing you reveal less hum when you smile. This is a very quick and minimally invasive option, but it is not permanent and will require new injections every few months.
Looking To Change Your Gummy Smile?
If you are looking to change your gummy smile, then speak with your local cosmetic dentist today. They will be able to help you find the right solution to transform your features and give you the confidence to show those pearly whites on any occasion.