When you look in the mirror, you may be wondering if you need certain dental treatments to get that gorgeous smile you’ve always dreamed of.
One of the common aesthetic problems that most people want to fix in their smile is the gum smile. Your gum smile can take a toll on your self-confidence.
What is a Gummy Smile?
Gummy smile is when the gums appear more dominant than the teeth when a person smiles. Gums are traditionally lower than they should be. This type of smile makes the teeth appear small and short. When the person with a gum smile smiles, the gums will distract attention from the teeth. Most people don’t like this look, but only a few visit the dentist to fix the problem.
What Causes Gummy Smile?
Your first impression of your gum smile may be that your teeth are short, but there are actually several reasons why you might have a gum smile.
Excess Gum Tissue
One of the most important causes of gum smile is excessive gum tissue. When you have a lot of gum tissue, your teeth will appear shorter because your gums actually cover the part of your teeth that should be. Excess gum tissue may also form due to a condition known as gingival hypertrophy.
Short or Worn Teeth
Some people have a gum smile because their teeth are too worn or short. This can be the result of clenching and grinding your teeth. Genetics can also cause shorter teeth.
Short Upper Lip
Another reason for a gum smile is a short upper lip. When you don’t have much tissue on your upper lip, at first, it will naturally reveal most of your gums. If your upper lip rises too high when smiling, this can cause a gum-like smile.
Jaw Problems
If you have an overgrowth of your upper jaw (vertical excess of the upper jaw), it can cause your gums to swell and your smile rates to deteriorate.
Reasons to Treat Your Gummy Smile
If you are satisfied with your gummy smile, of course, you may not want to change it. However, many people are not satisfied with this situation. After treatment, you can see many surprising benefits. First, you will feel more confident in your smile. You won’t be embarrassed every time you open your mouth, smile or speak in front of others. This new confidence can seep into other areas of your life as well and help you become more outgoing and confident.
Treating your gummy smile can also help you take better care of your oral health. When you have a smile you love, you’ll be more inspired to brush and floss your teeth and visit us for regular dental checkups. Your oral and general health will improve.
Gum Lift Surgery
One of the best treatments for a gum smile is gum shaping or gum lift surgery. This treatment consists of removing excess gum tissue around your teeth. This will reveal less of your natural teeth when you smile. Treatment is fast, effective and relatively painless.
The laser is used to make the most precise cuts possible to ensure the results look flawless. The dental laser also feels more comfortable than a scalpel, promotes faster healing, and reduces bleeding and infection. Gum lift surgery provides instant results that will last a lifetime.
Porcelain Veneers
In some cases, your gummy smile is the result of having very short teeth. In these cases, we strongly recommend porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic material that are adhered to your teeth. They can change the shape, size and color of your teeth. We can make your veneers longer than your existing teeth to make your teeth appear longer. This will distract attention away from your gums.
Orthodontics
The last treatment we can recommend for your gingival smile is orthodontics. Patients who have a gummy smile as a result of their jaw problems will need to correct these issues to help their smiles have less gummy smiles.
