How to Fix a Gummy Smile and Gain Confidence
Many people are sensitive about how they look when they smile. Cosmetic dentistry provides several methods to safely improve your smile while enhancing the function of your teeth. One common case we tackle at our dental clinics in Parramatta is gummy smiles. This article explains what gummy smiles are and their treatment – read on if you would like to know more about gummy smile treatment.
What is a Gummy Smile?
In simple terms, when your smile shows more of your upper gums than teeth, it is referred to as a gummy smile. The technical name for the gummy smile condition is ‘Excessive Gingival Display’. Gummy smiles can limit effective oral hygiene and cause gum disease complications.
Causes of Gummy Smiles
Several factors can cause gummy smiles. Irregular teeth and gums can affect your self-esteem and confidence. Below are some common causes of gummy smiles.
- Small teeth
- Overgrown gums
- Hyperactive upper lips
- Jaw issues
Small Teeth
Genetic factors or gradual wearing down over time can cause you to have small teeth. As your teeth erupt to maintain a correct bite, your gums also stretch outwards or downward. The disproportionate size of your teeth and gums may cause a gummy smile.
Overgrown Gums
Your gums can conceal a significant proportion of your teeth. Overgrown gums reduce the space between your teeth and upper lip, so if your gums grow to occupy more space than your teeth, you develop a gummy smile.
Hyperactive Lips
If the muscles in your lips are too strong, they can pull back your upper lips further than you expect when you smile. The extra exposure of your gums gives you a gummy smile. Gummy smiles are also visible if you have shorter lips.
Jaw Issues
If your upper jaw is significantly longer than your lower one, your lips may not cover your teeth appropriately. As such, when you smile, your lips may pull back and expose your gums more.
Gummy Smile Treatment
Our dentists in Parramatta are top-rated professionals in the country, and we offer several types of dental treatments. Below is a breakdown of our gummy smile treatment options.
- Periodontal Surgery
- Jaw Surgery
- Botox
Periodontal Surgery
Cosmetic periodontal surgery is the ideal gummy smile treatment due to small teeth or overgrown gums. Periodontal surgery involves cutting out some gum tissue to expose the tops of your teeth. This procedure increases the visible portion of your teeth while reducing the size of your gums.
Jaw Surgery
If your gummy smile is due to an elongated upper jaw, it is best to have jaw surgery. This procedure resets your upper jaw to align with the lower one. Jaw surgery is one of the most effective gummy smile treatments available.
Botox Treatment
Botox treatment is a novel gummy smile fix that requires dentists with special training and experience. Yet, the botox option is more affordable and less invasive than the conventional gummy smile treatments.
Botox is ideal for hyperactive lips and cases where your lips contract too far above your teeth when you smile. The Botox treatment helps to relax your lip muscles so that they drop lower and expose less of your gums when you smile. An added advantage of Botox treatment for gummy smiles is that you can recover quickly from the procedure.
All things considered, to determine the best treatment for a gummy smile, you should consult our Parramatta dentist. Every dental challenge is as unique as the patient. We take a professional yet compassionate approach and tailor our services to suit each patient’s needs, so book an appointment today.
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