If you have a gummy smile, it may affect how often you smile. Many people are unhappy with their smiles because of the amount of gums that show when they smile. If you have ever felt embarrassed about a gummy smile, you’re not alone. This is a common issue, but it usually isn’t a functional one. It won’t be a problem that will affect the function of your mouth and is simply a cosmetic issue. However, it’s a cosmetic issue that can make people self-conscious when they smile. It can make them not want to smile or laugh because of the issue. If you have this problem, there are ways that a gummy smile can be treated so that you are proud of your smile and want to smile and laugh often.
The goal is to have a smile line that has gums that are about 0 to 2 mm away from the top of your teeth. This smile line should be level with your eyes. The gumline should also be symmetrical as well as have the appropriate height when you smile. If you have a gummy smile and are happy with it, there is no cause for concern about it. If you are unhappy, however, there is no reason why you have to live with it when there are treatments available.
Causes of a Gummy Smile
There are many reasons that people can develop a gummy smile. One of the most common causes is simply genetics. This is the top reason for this kind of smile. Genetics can cause the teeth to be small or the upper lip to be short, or both. These can cause you to show more gum tissue when you smile. You may also have a bad bite that is causing it. If your upper jaw protrudes excessively, this can cause more gum tissue to be visible when you smile. Another reason is as simple as having too much gum tissue. Sometimes, gum tissue will grow too much during the time that the permanent teeth come in. If you have gums that are infected and inflamed, this can also cause this appearance. Make sure that you take care of your gums by brushing and flossing daily.
Fixing Extra Gum Tissue
When the problem is extra gum tissue, this can be fixed with oral surgery. If your teeth are not too small but are simply hidden by too much gum tissue, this will make the teeth look shorter because part of them is covered. The surgeon can remove some of the extra gum tissue and sculpt what is left so that it looks natural. This will make the teeth look the right size, and there will be less gum tissue showing when you smile. This is a common problem generally caused by genetics, but it can be fixed by our team at DFW Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
A Lip That Rises Too High
The upper lip is made up of a number of muscles. If the length of the upper lip and the strength of its muscles cause the lip to be pulled up too high, too much gum tissue will be shown when you smile. Even if the teeth have a normal size and height, and the gums are at a normal height, a lip that draws back too far will still show too much gum tissue. There are surgical treatments for this problem so that the upper lip lies in a lower position and there is little gum tissue showing. For some patients who don’t want to have surgery, Botox may be able to help relax the upper lip. This is a minimally invasive treatment that uses injections to relax the muscles that control the upper lip.
Scaling and Root Planing
If the gummy smile is caused by gum disease, it may be infected gums that are causing inflammation and causing the gums to come loose from the teeth. If this is the case, getting scaling and root planing can help to change the appearance of the gums. The scaling portion of the procedure is the removal of plaque. This removes it from your entire tooth up until the roots. After that, the dentist will perform the root planing. This smooths the roots of the teeth so that the gums can reattach to them. This can greatly change your gum line for a smile that is less gummy.
Do You Need Surgery for a Gummy Smile?
Because the issue of too much gum tissue showing when you smile doesn’t have a functional effect on your mouth, being a good candidate for treatment is generally because patients are unhappy with their smiles. About 25% of all adults are unhappy with the way their gums look when they smile. If you are included in this number, it’s a good idea to consult with our team about the problem.
Call Us for a Consultation
If you’re concerned about the way your gums look when you smile, it may be time to call us for a consultation. The dentist will assess your smile and determine the reason for the excess gum tissue showing. Then, you can find out about the options available to you for treatment. Call us at DFW Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery to schedule your consultation.