WHAT ARE GUMMY SMILES

Smile is one of the best gifts God has given us. However, sometimes people refrain from smiling owing to a few insecurities. Stained teeth, misaligned teeth and other tooth imperfections make them hesitant from smiling and expressing their happiness among the public. A gummy smile is one other dental imperfection that dulls the appearance of a smile. In this article, we present an overview of gummy smiles, the causes for gummy smiles and how to correct them.

WHAT ARE GUMMY SMILES?

When you smile, revealing more of your gums than expected, it is known as a gummy smile. Clinically, this is termed as an excessive gingival display. However, gummy smiles seem to be subjective with a person’s perception and his/her aesthetic vision. On average, 3 to 4 millimetres of exposed gumline is known to be excessive, causing a gummy smile.

Your gummy smile depends on 

the height and shape of your teeth. 
the movement of your upper lips when you smile

the amount of gum tissue display
the vertical position of the upper jaw in relation with other parts of the face

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GUMMY SMILES?

IMPROPER GROWTH OF TEETH

When the milk teeth fall, the permanent teeth begin erupting through the gums. Sometimes the teeth do not erupt as long as they should and remain short and submerged among the gums. This condition is known as altered passive eruption. 

VERTICAL MAXILLARY EXCESS

If the bones of the upper jaw extend longer, the gums cover the teeth. It again leads to a gummy smile.

LIP DIFFERENCES

At times it happens that the upper lip of the people is shorter than expected. When the upper lip is shorter, more of the upper jaw, teeth and gums are exposed when you smile. For some people, their upper lip remains normal and in place while being idle, but when they smile, the upper lip moves dramatically, extending too high such that it exposes more of the gums, rendering a gummy smile appearance.

MEDICATIONS

Certain medicines that treat blood pressure or medicines that suppress your immune system cause overgrowth of gums. These conditions must be treated soon to avoid the overgrowth of gums and gummy smiles. Overgrowth of gums can also cause severe gum diseases like Periodontitis.

GENETICS

Due to genetics, the teeth remain too short for some people, and hence the gums cover the teeth.

TREATMENT OF GUMMY SMILES

Use of Orthodontic Devices

When the excessive gingival display is not so severe and caused by the jaws and teeth, it can be corrected by placing orthodontic devices like braces or Invisalign. If the teeth are too short, dental veneers or dental crowns get placed to correct the ratio between the teeth and gums and make the smile look anti-gummy. 

Oral Surgery

If the issue is because of excessive gum tissues covering the teeth, the dentist might go for gingivectomy surgery. Gingivectomy is nothing but gum contouring or removal of excessive gum tissues. With the help of a scalpel or laser, the dentist trims off the excess gum tissues and expose more of the teeth’s surface. 

Lip Repositioning Surgery

The lip repositioning surgery changes the position of your lips relative to the teeth. The dentist makes two incisions in the inner side of the upper lip and removes connective tissues, and stitch back the incisions. This makes the upper lip extend only to a certain limit such that more gums are not exposed.

There are also other treatment options like orthognathic surgery to correct the positioning of upper and lower jaws, botox and the use of anchorage devices. While some treatments methods are more invasive and expensive, visit our dental clinic, The Elite Dental Care for your regular dental checkup. We will assess your smile to the reason for excessive gingival display and suggest the best treatment method that corrects your gummy smile. No more hesitance in smiling, visit our dental care and get your dental imperfections corrected to lead a happy, cheerful life.