Can a gummy smile be corrected?

Do you have a gummy smile?

Does your excessive gingival display embarrass you when you smile?

Well, suffering from a gummy smile can affect your self-confidence and discourage you from displaying your pearly whites. Luckily you don't have to worry about your gummy smile as this condition is treatable. Let us learn more about a gummy smile.

What is a Gummy Smile?

According to an article published in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports (IJSCR), a gummy smile is a condition that occurs when more than 2 millimeters of your gum is exposed while smiling. It is a common condition that affects around 10-30% of the population and is more commonly seen in females. There are several causes of GS, including:

Childhood alteration of tooth eruption
Excessive growth of the upper jawbone or downward movement of the upper teeth
Lip lifting is caused by short or overactive upper lip muscles, such as the levator labii superioris and levator anguli oris.

Treatments for Gummy Smiles

If you have a gummy smile, discuss it with your dentist to get the best-suited treatment option. Your dentist may diagnose the exact cause of the issue and provide treatment accordingly. Below mentioned are the three most common treatments for a gummy smile:

Crown Lengthening:
Clinical crown lengthening is a surgical procedure designed to increase the extent of supragingival tooth structure for restorative or esthetic purposes. The process is carried out in two steps:

Gingivectomy: Removal of excess gum tissue or supporting bone and apical positioning of the gingival margin.
Osseous surgery: It involves the removal of the excess bone and shaping the jawbone.

The crown lengthening procedure is performed by a specialist known as a periodontist. The process stages depend on each patient and how much excess gum tissue is there.

Botulinum Toxin (BT) Injection

Besides its cosmetic utilization, botulinum toxin (BT) has many other medical uses, such as treating GS. As per the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research, BT treatment can be helpful in cases where the individual has overactive lip muscles. The procedure involves injecting small doses of Botulinum toxin to limit the over-contraction of the upper lip muscles, which can have the opposite effect of the desired outcome. The treatment period is around three-six months and must be repeated every six months to a year to get desired results. Highly skilled or trained doctors who have appropriate training can perform this procedure.

Orthodontic Treatment or Surgery

If a gummy smile is caused due to the downward movement of the upper teeth or excessive growth of the upper jawbone, orthodontic treatment or surgery may be required. The surgery may help straighten the teeth and jaw. Orthodontic treatment surgery is carried out by an orthodontist who specializes in it and may use orthodontic appliances to push the teeth upward or work with surgeons to surgically move them upward, if necessary.

So, if you are the one suffering from a gummy smile, speak to your dentist and discuss the different treatment options available for you. Depending upon the extent and cause of your gummy smile, your dentist will give you a perfect solution. You can also choose to speak to our highly skilled dentists at MyDentalPlan- India’s largest Dental Network Platform.

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About the Author:

Suprithi Choudhary, M.Pharm (Pharmacology) Medical Content writer

Suprithi is a Pharma Professional working as a medical content writer and previously worked as a Research Scientist and Senior Research Analyst

Education

C.M Academy
Attended the Panjab University- Chandigarh, Pharma post-graduate in Pharmacology

Special thanks to Dr Deepak Kulkarni, a dental surgeon with over 23 years of experience who proofread this blog. He graduated from the H.K.E's Dental College, Gulbarga, and has certifications in ACHS International Accreditation Education Plan; Advanced Rotary Endodontic - Restorative Continuum; and Leadership, Team Building and Customer Service Leadership from the Oscar Murphy International.