Can You Fix A Gummy Smile?

Many things can lead to self-consciousness. For some people, a gummy smile is their biggest insecurity. A gummy smile is one in which there is an excessive amount of gum tissue that shows above the upper teeth when smiling. Research has found that women are more likely than men to have a gummy smile.

If you have a gummy smile, there is no need to fear or feel embarrassed. Today there are several treatments available to treat a gummy smile. If you’re searching for treatment, know that choosing the best treatment for you has to do with which factors are causing your gummy smile.

Talking with your dentist about your smile is a great place to start as they can evaluate what is explicitly causing your gummy smile. Any of the following dental abnormalities and characteristics may be factors causing a gummy smile:

• Irregular tooth eruption
• Jaw development
• Inappropriate bite
• An upper lip that is too short
• Extremely enlarged gums
• Overgrowth of the upper jaw

Keep reading to find out the best treatment options for replacing your gummy smile with a confident, healthy smile.

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment may be recommended for those with a mildly gummy smile. An improper bite or minor jaw problems can often be corrected with braces or other orthodontic appliances. Once bite and jaw problems are fixed, one’s smile is often also improved.

It is best to have a thorough evaluation done by a dental professional as some orthodontic treatment is more of a one size fits all, and that may not be best for your specific case. Taking time to research orthodontists in your area and finding someone who is specialized or has experience treating a gummy smile is essential.

Veneers or Crowns

Teeth that appear too short due to wear or because of genetics may benefit from getting veneers or crowns. Veneers and crowns are custom-crafted for your exact mouth and teeth. Your dentist can produce crowns or veneers that help your teeth to appear longer. When the crowns or veneers are made longer than your natural tooth, it helps to visually balance out your gums and teeth so that your smile doesn’t appear so gummy.
Veneers and crowns can be a more considerable investment than some other procedures, but it all depends on how many veneers and crowns would be needed. If you have just one or two teeth affected versus a generalized gummy smile affecting many or all teeth, it dramatically impacts the investment costs of treatment.

Crown-Lengthening Procedures

This procedure involves removing and recontouring part of the gum tissue to help improve the aesthetics of a person’s smile. It is also commonly known as a gingivectomy or gum-lift procedure.

While the procedure sounds quite invasive, it is a pretty painless and straightforward procedure. You would be numb during the process to keep you comfortable, and healing is quick following the procedure. Usually, 24 hours after the procedure, you can resume eating and drinking, and gum tissue is fully healed after one week after the procedure.

Lip Aesthetics Procedures

Lip aesthetics procedures can also help in situations of a gummy smile. If you have a short lip, more of your gum tissue is visible when you smile. A simple procedure to reposition your lip can help make your upper lip look fuller, and as a result, your smile will look less gummy.

Are you still feeling self-conscious about your gummy smile? Are you ready to kick the anxiety that it is causing you? The great news is that you can fix this. Many people hesitate to seek treatment because they think it will be too difficult and too expensive, but it’s not usually the case. As we have seen, treatment options vary depending on the person. Reach out to your dentist today to have an evaluation done. You, too, can be confident in your smile!