Do you feel self-conscious when you smile because too much gum shows above your teeth? Is your gummy smile affecting your confidence? You may be surprised to learn that this condition is actually quite common and it can be corrected. Here's everything you need to know about gummy smile treatment.
What is a gummy smile?
In medical terminology, a gummy smile is called excessive gingival display. It is a condition in which too much gum tissue is visible above the teeth when you smile. If you are embarrassed by your gummy smile, know that you are not alone. Around 10% of people in the world have gummy smiles. Women tend to show more gum tissue than men. Some experts say 14% of women and 7% of men have excessive gingival display.
What's considered a gummy smile?
There is no set definition of how much gum is too much. However, studies have shown that 2 mm or less of visible gum is considered an attractive smile by most people. Around 3 mm of visible gum is considered to be gummy, and 4 mm or more of visible gum tissue is considered least attractive.
What causes a gummy smile?
Patients can have too much gums visible due to various reasons, the most common being:
- Tooth eruption problems, such as altered passive eruption, as a result of which the teeth look short and covered in part by the gums.
- Small teeth compared to the gums due to wear or genetics.
- A short upper lip.
- A hyperactive upper lip which lifts too much when smiling to reveal excessive gums.
- Gingival hypertrophy (gum overgrowth or enlargement).
- Vertical maxillary excess (excess growth of upper jaw or maxilla).
As you can see, a gummy smile can be the result of various factors, including problems with the lips, teeth, gums, or jaw bone, all of which play key roles in the aesthetics of your smile. If any of these components is out of proportion or poorly positioned, it can take away from the beauty of your smile. A periodontist (gum specialist) can help correct the problem.
What improvements can be expected from gummy smile correction?
In patients who have excessive gum tissue showing when they smile, correction can dramatically improve the aesthetic appearance of the smile and thereby improve self-esteem and self-confidence.
Gummy smile treatment methods
The treatment options for a gummy smile depend on what is causing the problem in a particular patient - the gums, teeth, lips, or jaw bone. There are various solutions available. The periodontist will talk to you about the options during your consultation.
If the gummy smile is mild and the underlying reason for it is due to the teeth or jaw, orthodontic treatment with braces may be the best way to fix the problem.
If the cause of a gummy smile in a patient is moderate to severe jaw protrusion, orthognathic surgery may be necessary in addition to an orthodontic treatment plan. During this procedure, the surgeon will recontour the upper jaw, move it into better position, and secure it with screws and plates.
In many cases when the teeth are short due to genetics or wear, veneers and crowns can make the teeth appear longer.
For teeth that are not fully erupted, a crown lengthening procedure may be an option. This procedure involves removing gum tissue and/or bone to expose more tooth surface.
If the cause of a gummy smile is found to be a hyperactive upper lip during the consultation, a lip repositioning surgery and orthodontics may be recommended to correct the problem with the lip line.
In people who have gums extending too far down, laser gum contouring can be used to remove excess gum tissue without surgery.
Botox is one of the most popular procedures to reduce the amount of gum visible. Although this is a minimally-invasive and less expensive treatment option, the result is temporary and only lasts 3-4 months. Also, Botox is only useful when the upper lip is the cause of a gummy smile. The injections paralyze the elevator muscles of the upper lip and prevent them from lifting too high when you smile.
What is a gum lift or gummy smile surgery?
A gummy smile surgery or gum lift (gingivectomy in medical terms) is an outpatient surgical procedure. This plastic surgery is performed in patients with excessive visibility of the gum line and resultant unattractive smiles. The procedure is performed with a local anesthetic and IV sedation. Most patients do not require general anesthesia for this procedure. The results are long term (permanent).
Does gummy smile surgery simply involve cutting excess gum tissue?
During the procedure, the surgeon will cut into the gum line and reshape its appearance. Some connective tissue may need to be removed. This is done with a laser to minimize bleeding. Some reshaping of the bone might be necessary for stable and permanent results. So, it is more than just removing excess gum tissue. The procedure is quick and relatively painless.
Will there be stitches?
A soft tissue laser is used to cauterize the wounds during the surgical procedure, so stitches are not needed.
Who is a good candidate for gummy smile surgery?
Ideal candidate
The ideal candidate for gummy smile surgery is an individual who has not had prior restoration work done on the teeth with veneers and crowns, because in these cases the color and overall aesthetics may be affected. However, people who have had restoration work done are not precluded from getting a gum lift and may still be candidates for the procedure.
Not recommended for
Gummy smile correction procedures are not recommended for patients with tooth decay because they may not have enough tooth root to allow exposing more of the tooth without compromising the overall structure.
Is the gummy smile procedure painful?
The procedure is done with local anesthesia and is not painful. You may experience some discomfort in the recovery period, which can usually be managed with pain medication.
How long is the recovery after gummy smile surgery?
Immediately after the procedure, you will have bleeding, swelling, and minor discomfort for 24-48 hours. Pain medication and cold compresses can help reduce discomfort and swelling. You can return to work the day after the procedure. You will be on a soft diet for 7-10 days. Your doctor will advise you to avoid eating hard, chewy, crunchy, or spicy food for about 2 weeks. You will also be instructed to avoid brushing or flossing the surgical area for 2 weeks.
Complete recovery from gummy smile surgery can take up to 3 months depending on the extent of the procedure.
What are the possible complications from gummy smile surgery?
Possible side effects include pain and loosening of the teeth over time. Exposure of the tooth roots can lead to hot and cold sensitivity.
Will I later need veneers or crowns on my teeth?
You will not need crowns and veneers later. However, crowns and veneers can be a treatment option for a gummy smile to make the teeth appear longer in individuals who have too-short teeth.
Are there any guarantees?
There are never any guarantees with surgical procedures. However, in the hands of an experienced surgeon, there is a very high likelihood that patients will get excellent results. The results of a gummy smile surgery are visible immediately after the procedure and are permanent. In some patients, if the gums are removed but the underlying bone is not reshaped, there can be re-growth of the gum tissue.
How much does gummy smile correction cost?
The cost of gummy smile surgery varies from case to case. It can be anything from $300 to $8,000 depending on the extent of correction necessary and whether jaw surgery is needed.
Finding a provider for a gum lift
The MeTime app makes it easy to find dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons in your area. You can click and upload pictures and have suggestions sent directly to you. Want to find a provider for gummy smile surgery? Try the MeTime app now!
