Fix a Gummy Smile
Most of us are sensitive about the way we look whenever we smile, and can you blame us? Many people’s smiles can be their charm. Luckily, it’s the 21st century, and cosmetic dentistry makes a lot of things possible with methods that can safely boost your smile and tooth functionality. Your local dental clinic can address gummy smiles. Read on to find out what gummy smiles are and their treatment solutions.
Table of Contents
What is a Gummy Smile?
If you notice that your smile shows off more of the upper gums than the teeth, that is known as a gummy smile. The technical term for the gummy smile condition is ‘Excessive Gingival Display.’ The bad news is that it goes beyond appearance by limiting effective oral hygiene and even resulting in gum disease complications.
Causes of Gummy Smiles
Unfortunately, irregular teeth and gums can greatly affect our confidence and self-esteem, and here are the factors that promote a gummy smile:
- Overgrown gums
- Small teeth
- Jaw issues
- Hyperactive upper lips
Overgrown Gums
Such gums conceal a significant part of your teeth. As a result, they minimise the space between the teeth and upper lip. If your gums grow as far as occupying more space than your teeth, you will likely have a gummy smile.
Small Teeth
Having small teeth can result from genetic factors or simply a gradual wearing down. In such a circumstance, your gums stretch outwards or downward whenever the teeth erupt to maintain a correct bite. The disproportion of your teeth and gum sizes causes a gummy smile.
Jaw Issues
In some cases, the lower jaw is significantly shorter than the upper jaw; hence the lips will not cover the teeth appropriately. This way, your lips pull back and expose your gums whenever you smile.
Hyperactive Lips
If your lip muscles are too strong, they may pull back your upper lip too far. As such, there is extra exposure to your gum area, giving a gummy smile. At the same time, shorter lips make the condition visible.
Gummy Smile Treatment
Dentists offer several treatments, and below are remedies for gummy smiles:
- Jaw Surgery
- Periodontal Surgery
- Botox
Jaw Surgery
If an elongated upper jaw costs you that charming smile, getting jaw surgery is the best option. The procedure’s objective is to reset your upper jaw by aligning it with the lower one. Some dentists recommend it as one of the most effective gummy smile treatments available.
Periodontal Surgery
For small teeth or overgrown gums, cosmetic periodontal surgery is most suitable. It incorporates cutting out some of the gum tissues for more exposure at the tops of your teeth. As expected, it will reduce the gum size while increasing the visible portion of your teeth.
Botox Treatment
Unlike conventional gummy smile treatments, Botox is less invasive and doesn’t cost a fortune. However, the sensitivity involved requires a professional dentist with special training and experience in this line of work. The novel gummy smile fix is perfect for hyperactive lips and those whose lips contract too far above the teeth when they smile. The treatment works by relaxing the lip muscles so that they somehow drop lower for less exposure of your gums as you smile. In addition, there is less downtime needed due to quick recovery after having the procedure.
Conclusion
Are you ready to bring on more confidence with your smile? Schedule an appointment with your dentist. The best clinic will give more insight into the treatments and help you determine the best one for you. Since there are no similar dental issues, find professionals ready to offer the best and tailored care.
