Does your smile reveal more of your gums than you would like? Some of the patients who visit the Therapeuo Dental Clinic answer this question in a yes. They are persons with a Gummy Smile. But you should know that it is relatively common and you do not compulsorily need to take a treatment for this. But, of course, if you want your smile to be perfect or feel that your Gummy Smile needs correction, various treatments can assist you to smile with joy without feeling conscious about your gums.
Let us understand more about Gummy smiles.
What is a Gummy Smile?
There is no particular definition for a Gummy Smile. However, more than the average amount of tissue is visible in a Gummy Smile, and it is also known as Excessive Gingival Display.
It is driven by a jaw growth problem, inaccurate bite, and extremely short upper lip. The factors affecting your smile are your teeth’s height and shape, how your lips move when you smile, and the angle of your jaw as compared with the rest of your face affects your smile.
Typically 3 – 4 millimeters of exposed gumline is disproportionate, causing a Gummy Smile. A Gummy Smile is more dominant in females as compared to males.
Causes a Gummy Smile
There can be several causes for a Gummy Smile, and we are discussing some of the common causes.
Teeth Growth:
Adult teeth may extend in a way that is not even. When gums cover more of the teeth’s surface when developing, it can cause a Gummy Smile. This growth can be of various forms.
If your gums cover more of your teeth’s surface, this condition is called Altered Passive Eruption.
If the teeth in the front of your mouth grew too much, your gums might have grown too far. This condition is known as Dentoalveolar Extrusion.
If the bones of your upper jaw grow longer than their typical length, this condition is called Vertical Maxillary Excess.
Lip differences:
When your upper lip is on the shorter side, it results in a Gummy Smile. The teeth and the gums might be at actual height, but the lip pulls up far while smiling.
Medications:
Some medicines can cause gums to develop too much around the teeth. Medications taken to treat high blood pressure, prevent seizures, suppress the immune system, etc., can cause a Gummy Smile. In this case, you need to treat Gummy Smile. If untreated, the overgrowth of gums can direct to periodontal disease.
Mouth Breathing:
If an individual has the practice of breathing from the mouth due to enlarged tonsils, or any other breathing issues, gums show up and can lead to a Gummy Smile.
Treatment options for correcting a Gummy Smile:
To treat a Gummy Smile, you must discover and understand its cause. It will assist in delivering the correct treatment. There are various surgical and non-surgical treatment options available.
Non-surgical methods
Orthodontic Treatment:
You should consider orthodontic treatment if your Gummy Smile is mild and caused by a jaw issue or an improper bite. Braces and aligners can be used for a Gummy Smile correction. By ministering these issues, you can reduce the pain and discomfort caused to you along with the treatment of Gummy Smile.
With a precisely aligned smile, your gums may show less, which will lessen the appearance of your Gummy Smile.
Remember to speak with your dentist or orthodontist about whether orthodontic treatment is a good prospect for your Gummy Smile.
Veneers or Crowns:
Some patients feel like their upper set of teeth seems too short, which influences the amount of gum visible when smiling. It may be caused by wear and even genetics.
Veneers or crowns are dental repairs that can be used to make your teeth appear longer. It will assist in balancing your teeth and gums, making your smile less gummy.
Veneers or crowns are a good solution if there are no significant underlying problems that cause a Gummy Smile. This procedure will not help with any pain or discomfort caused.
If you want to go for Surgical Methods for a Gummy Smile, the Therapeuo Dental Clinic in Mumbai can help you.
Lip repositioning surgery::
The technique for Gummy Smile deduction by Lip Repositioning Surgery involves making two incisions at the gum line under the lip. An area of connective tissue underneath the upper lip is removed. When the person smiles, the lip will not rise as high as before, thus controlling a Gummy Smile.
The exterior part of the lip is not affected. Recovery from this surgery generally takes about a week. In most cases, the outcomes are permanent, but there are possibilities of a relapse.
Crown-Lengthening Procedure
During a Crown-Lengthening Procedure, an orthodontist removes gum tissue from the tooth that exposes more of your natural tooth. It is recommended in cases where gum covers the surface of the teeth, and it is also known as Gum Contouring. A scalpel or laser to trim the gums to reveal more of your teeth’s surface. The effects are probable to be long-lasting.
If you are willing to correct your Gummy Smile, make sure you consult your dentist or orthodontist about the process, and they will guide you about the treatment options.
If there is a treatment choice that you are especially interested in, make sure to ask your dentist about that choice whether it is a good fit for you or not.