Do you ever feel self-conscious when you smile because you have too much gum showing above your teeth and this doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing to you? You may sadly have a “gummy smile” — or as doctors put it – an excessive gingival display when smiling. Fear not, because there is a new cosmetic gummy smile treatment available in our London clinic that does not require surgery. We’ll show you how to stop a gummy smile so you can feel confident and put your best face forward.
Before we can move on to fixing a gummy smile, it is important to know the reasons behind it. Here are the most common reasons why you might have a gummy smile: • An upper lip that is too short compared to the teeth size • Teeth that are too short in comparison to the gum either through genetics or age • A hyperactive upper lip that lifts too high to expose the gum tissue • Enlarged gums, known as gingival hypertrophy • An overgrowth of the upper jaw that makes the gums bulge when smiling. Please note there is a chance that a gummy smile can also be caused by genetics, as the proportion and position of your face plays a large part in the aesthetic appearance of your smile.
For a smile to appear gummy, experts say the gum will be around three millimetres or more. Each gum is unique, meaning surgery would greatly depend on how many problems your gummy smile is causing in the first place. There are a few options to fix a gummy smile, some surgical — and the one we do at our clinic that does not require surgery.
If you notice a gummy smile in young people, then there is time to fix it before it becomes a problem. Once you have noticed it — and you are sure you and your child want intervention to fix it — there is the option of a simple soft tissue laser treatment. This experience is described as similar to having a filling, so it’s a more popular option for kids. Be sure to ask the orthodontist to talk you through the process to ensure you feel confident about your child undergoing the procedure. For minor nuisances, laser treatment can be an easy alternative for children and adults, as it can be taken care of on the same day as your appointment. You can even look into gum contouring, which aims to reshape the gum to make it appear more even and less protruding.
However, for more severe cases where your gum is severely problematic, a periodontist can perform a Gingivectomy. This procedure removes the extra gum tissue, reshaping what remains. While this can lead to great results, please be aware this can be a painful process and can take time before your smile is ready to show the world. An alternative to a Gingivectomy can be used if you or your dentist notice your gummy smile before your teeth have fully erupted. As the teeth are still growing from the gum, it is possible to invest in “crown-lengthening” surgery. This procedure involves removing some of the gum tissue to expose more of the teeth. Once this has been completed and allowed to heal, the gum will begin to retract back it’s normal position. Reviews from The American Academic of Periodontology have stated the benefits of this surgery have increased the confidence and comfort of the clients — especially when smiling, eating and talking. In some cases, this procedure has even improved gum health.
Worry not! One alternative to surgery is investing in either veneers or crowns to expose more tooth rather than the gum. The veneers or crowns will be slightly larger than your teeth and will need a bit of gum space to make room for them. Adding crowns and veneers can be a lengthy and expensive process. However, once they are in, you will never notice your gums again. Make sure to keep them clean to avoid having to buy new ones.
Previously, surgery was the main treatment for a gummy smile, with costs around £15,000 to fix the gum. Since these surgeries are often too expensive and painful, Botox seems to be the cheaper and quickest way to get rid of gummy excess. The procedure takes around ten minutes and can last up to six months. The treatment uses an injection, which works by paralysing the hyperactive muscles within the upper lip. As a result, the lip no longer elevates and the exposed gum is reduced. Our cosmetic experts and professionals at Harley Street Medical Clinic believe this is the easiest way forward to soothe your smile, with the bonus of calming laughter and smile lines on the face as well.
Are you wanting to reverse and treat a gummy smile? Book a consultation with our experts today. We offer the best treatments for a gummy smile and to meet all your non-surgical cosmetic needs.
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