Causes and Treatments of a Gummy Smile

If a significant portion of your gums is visible when you smile, you may have what is referred to as a "gummy smile."

While many people don't view it as a cosmetic issue, some individuals may feel self-conscious about their gummy smile to the extent that they avoid smiling altogether. Fortunately, there are several solutions available to address this concern.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile is often due to genetic factors and can occur for the following reasons:^[1]

• Small tooth size compared to the gums.
• Excessive gum growth (gingival overgrowth).
• Overactive smile muscles (upper lip muscles), leading to excessive gum exposure.
• Short upper lip.
• Dental and jaw alignment issues.

How Can a Gummy Smile Be Treated?

In general, a gummy smile is not considered a health issue. Treatments are focused on improving the aesthetic appearance of the smile. Depending on the cause of the gummy smile, the doctor will select the most suitable treatment, which may include one or more of the following options: 

1. Non-Surgical Treatments

• Botox:

This is used when the gummy smile is caused by overactive smile muscles. Small amounts of Botox are injected into the upper lip to reduce its elevation when smiling, helping to conceal the gums. This treatment usually needs to be repeated every 3–6 months.

• Fillers:

If the upper lip is small, fillers can be a suitable solution for a gummy smile. The upper lip is usually injected with hyaluronic acid filler to plump it up and increase its volume, thereby reducing its movement when smiling. This helps in lessening the appearance of the gummy smile, with results lasting up to a year.

• Braces:

A mild gummy smile caused by dental issues can be treated with braces, which help reposition the teeth to their correct alignment, thus reducing the exposure of the gums.

• Veneers:

Veneers are thin shells placed on the teeth to improve their appearance and conceal prominent gums. They are often suitable after gum contouring or crown lengthening surgery to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing final result.

2. Surgical Treatments:

• Gum Contouring:

This is the best treatment if there is an excessive amount of gum tissue. The excess tissue is trimmed either with a surgical scalpel or laser after applying local anesthesia.

• Crown Lengthening Surgery:

This surgery is suitable if the teeth are short in comparison to the gums. During the procedure, the doctor may also reshape the gums and bone, in some cases, to expose more of the natural tooth. Depending on the severity of the gummy smile, the surgery may involve one tooth, several teeth, or the entire gum line.

• Jaw Surgery:

This procedure is appropriate only when there is clear protrusion of the jaw. The surgeon reshapes the upper jaw to achieve the desired size and moves it to the correct position. The jaw is then fixed using screws and plates. This surgery typically requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay post-operation.

References:

• Bupa - How to fix a Gummy Smile
• NewMouth - What Causes a Gummy Smile and Can You Fix It?
• American Academy of Periodontology - Surgical Periodontal Procedures