A gummy smile highlights that a lot more gum tissue is overshadowing your teeth, meaning that only a small length of your tooth set is shown. This is one of many popular reasons patients aren’t happy with their smiles.
A gummy smile means you show more gums than your teeth. This means you’re growing a higher proportion of tissue than your teeth.
Can A Gummy Smile Be Treated?
Yes, gummy smiles can be treated. It is recommended that you consult your dentist on this to apply the appropriate treatment to lift the amount of gum tissue.
What Causes A Gummy Smile?
If your smile is exposed to higher amounts of gum tissue, this indicates a gummy smile. However, what are the causes of it?
Jaw Alignment Issues
Jaw alignment is important to protect your bite. Still, when your jaw is misaligned, your upper jaw either overlaps the lower jaw too far forward, presenting a large gap (known as an overbite), or when the lower jaw is too far forward, covering your upper teeth (known as underbite).
Hyperactive Upper Lip
When the upper lip muscles and under the nose are hyperactive, its continuous use causes the gum tissue to become exposed. This can also form part of any genetics you’ve picked up in your family tree.
Too Much Gum Tissue
If gum tissue has overgrown, it will cover your teeth, meaning when you smile, people will see more gum tissue than your teeth. This also introduces a greater risk of gum disease if you don’t carry out strong oral hygiene routines daily. Gum swelling and bleeding are also more visible.
Can You Fix A Gummy Smile?
Yes, there are treatments available to lift the amount of gum tissue so your teeth have more exposure. Here are some treatments that the dentist is likely to recommend:
Scaling & Root Planing
Scale and root planning is a deep cleaning procedure that allows the dentist to reach the gum pockets around the tooth and remove sources of bacteria to protect your oral health from infection. Any inflammation is then reduced as the infection is removed.
Gum Lifting
Gum lifting is described as it is, removing the gum tissue that is covering your teeth and gradually lifting the gum line higher, so more of your teeth become more visible.
Orthodontic Treatment
The dentist can also apply orthodontic appliances to push your teeth in an upwards position should the gummy smile be caused by too much growth of your upper jawbone.
Crown Lengthening
If a tooth needs a new crown, crown lengthening is the right treatment for this. This is also a useful form of treatment if you’ve experienced gum line decay or if a tooth is fractured.
Treatment For A Gummy Smile Is One Call Away
Having a smile covered by more gum tissue can impact the confidence in your smile. Painless yet simple treatments are available to show off your pearly whites. Consult your dentist for treatment today!