A “gummy smile”, otherwise known as an excessive gingival display, is a smile that shows a bit too much of your gum line. For many people, it can cause embarrassment or an insecurity. It is estimated that around 10% of 20- to 30-year-olds think that they have gummy smiles. Gummy smiles can be caused by a host of issues with your mouth such as a jaw development problem, incorrect bite, and hyperactive or overly short upper lip. But the biggest question you are likely asking yourself: can you fix a gummy smile?
Whether you want to fix your gummy smile for simply aesthetic reasons or because there are underlying issues that need to be addressed, there are many options available to you. If you’re interested in a non-surgical procedure, like crowns or veneers, or a surgical procedure, like a gingivectomy or lip repositioning surgery, read on to find more information on a full range of different treatment options that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Non-Surgical Options to Fix a Gummy Smile
Here are some of the most popular non-surgical options for fixing a gummy smile.
Veneers or Crowns
Veneers or crowns are a great solution if you do not have any major underlying issues causing your gummy smile. This would be a purely aesthetic treatment, so if there’s an underlying condition that’s causing your gummy smile, this won’t help with any pain or discomfort caused by those conditions. Your dentist will let you know if this is a good option for you.
For this treatment option, your dentist will attach veneers or crowns to your teeth to make them appear longer and larger. This has the effect of making your teeth appear more proportionate to your gums. This is a relatively non-invasive way to lessen the appearance of your gummy smile.
Root Planing and Scaling
Scaling is when a dentist removes plaque from the top of the tooth all the way to the root, including under the gum. After scaling the teeth, your dentist will smooth out your tooth’s roots to help your gums reattach. This is a good option that will both deep clean your teeth and change the appearance of your gum line.
Surgical Options to Fix a Gummy Smile
A surgical option may be the best option to fix your gummy smile.
Crown-Lengthening Procedures (Gingivectomy)
If you’re interested in a surgical procedure, a gingivectomy, also referred to as a gum contouring surgery, is one of the most popular ways to treat a gummy smile. Gingivectomy and laser contouring procedures reshape the gumline through gum removal, exposing more of your natural tooth.
Where a veneer or a crown will make your teeth appear more proportionate to your gums, a gingivectomy actually reduces the amount of gum tissue you have, making your natural teeth more proportionate. This is a slightly more invasive procedure than simply adding a veneer or crown but is still overall a minimally invasive procedure.
Laser Gum Contouring
Laser gum contouring is similar to a gingivectomy, but this procedure uses a laser to contour the gums and move back your gum line. Like a gingivectomy, this procedure is minimally invasive way to reshape the gum line. It is usually done for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes, not because it is medically necessary.
With both laser gum contouring and a traditional gingivectomy, you’ll likely be given a local anesthetic for the procedure. You will likely experience some discomfort after both of these procedures, though the pain from your procedure will change depending on how much of your gum needs to be removed. Your dentist can provide you with more information when you’re discussing your procedure options.
Lip Repositioning Surgery or Botox
If the underlying cause of your gummy smile is a hyperactive upper lip, you have a few options that can help. One option is lip repositioning surgery, which is when your lip is surgically moved downward to hide more of your gums and make your smile more proportionate. This is a minimally invasive procedure that can be very effective in making your smile look more proportional and get rid of your gummy smile.
Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox, can also be helpful if you have a hyperactive upper lip. Botox is a newer contender and it’s a much cheaper gummy smile treatment option than surgery. A doctor injects the lip with Botox, which paralyzes the muscle and prevents it from lifting too high when you smile. This is a very minimally invasive issue if your gummy smile is caused by a hyperactive upper lip. However, the results are temporary and last about three to four months and it will only work when the upper lip is the cause of.a gummy smile.
To find out if one of these options is right for you, make sure to consult your dentist.
What is the Cost to Fix a Gummy Smile?
The cost of fixing your gummy smile can range significantly based on a number of different factors. It can range from the hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on what treatment option you choose. If the option you choose involves multiple visits or treatments or a surgery, it will be more expensive.
You should be sure to consult with your dentist about the specific cost of your treatment. Root planing and scaling, typically the most inexpensive option, may sound good to your bank account, but that doesn’t mean it will be the best option to fix your gummy smile.
Talk to Your Dentist
If you’re interested in correcting your gummy smile or the underlying issues that are causing your gummy smile, make sure to consult your dentist about your overall dental health. They’ll be able to determine whether your issue is purely aesthetic or if there’s an underlying problem, like a hyperactive upper lip or an improper bite, that can be corrected to help give you pain relief and relieve you of your gummy smile. If there’s a specific treatment option that you’re particularly interested in, your dentist can tell you whether that option is a good fit for you or if there’s another treatment option that may be better for you.
A gummy smile doesn’t always require a serious medical procedure to correct. Crowns, veneers, and gingivectomies are minimally invasive and will make your teeth and gums look more proportionate. You may feel insecure about a gummy smile, but there are quite a few treatment options that can ensure it is a problem of the past. Many of these options are permanent as well, meaning you won’t have to worry about repeated treatment in order to keep your smile just the way you like it.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Jim Peck and Smile New Braunfels to start the process of fixing your smile. (830) 629-8011.