What is a Gummy Smile and how can it be treated?
A gummy smile, you may be surprised to hear, does not have one set definition. The condition, also referred to as excessive gingival display, occurs when too much of an individual’s gum tissue is shown above the top teeth when smiling. There are several causes of a gummy smile, though among the most common is the overgrowth of the upper jaw, enlarged gums, a short or hyperactive upper lip, and teeth that’re too small when compared to the gums. However, these are all issues that can be resolved through the use of cosmetic dentistry and gummy smile correction to alter the visual appearance of your overall smile, and there are many solutions to correcting this, the use of which depend on the cause of the problem.
Gum Contouring
Contouring of the gums is a technique commonly used when aiming to correct issues caused by a gummy smile. The cosmetic dentistry procedure works to remove any excess gum above the top row of the patient’s teeth, improving the look of any uneven gum lines as well as the overall aesthetics of the smile. During the treatment, anaesthesia is utilised to completely numb the area, and with the use of advanced soft tissue lasers that seal the tissue as they work, resulting in minimal bleeding and inflammation, the procedure is more painless that ever before; this type of treatment also involves very little recovery time when compared to traditional methods using a scalpel.
Removing even the smallest amounts of tissue can have a drastic effect on the overall look of your teeth, and with a treatment accompanied by minimal risk, a short recovery time, and that can be achieved within a single appointment to your dental clinic, achieving your ideal smile has never been easier!
Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatments, such as the use of braces, is a method found to be particularly effective for use on younger patients to treat, and prevent the chances of developing, a gummy smile. If it’s the positioning of the teeth or jaw causing your gums to stick out and appear prominently when smiling, this solution, using orthodontic treatments such as invisible braces and Invisalign, may prove very effective in treating the issue. This procedure, available under both orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry, works to fix the appearance of a gummy smile by bringing the jaw and teeth into alignment with one another; thus helping to minimise the amount of gum on display when you smile. This, similarly to gum contouring, is a treatment for a gummy smile that comes with very minimal risk. While the correction process may be slightly prolonged in comparison to other methods, there are multiple orthodontic brace options available, allowing you to find the possible fit for your needs.
Anti-ageing Treatments
Anti-ageing treatments are found to be very effective in solving issues of a gummy smile caused by a hyperactivity of the upper lip. Muscle relaxing therapies, consisting of a simple injection administered to the lip area, reduce the elevation of the upper lip, causing it to drop and mask any excess gum tissue a patient has while doing nothing to alter their other facial expressions. This is a procedure increasingly rising in popularity due to the fact it can be carried out within a matter minutes, is moderately painless, most patients reporting a mild stinging and slight bruising at most, and requires absolutely no recovery time. The treatment is also considered extremely safe, having been used within the cosmetic dentistry field for a period of over twenty years without a single report of an issue; making it a great choice to opt for.
Despite this being a resolution that, unfortunately, does not last forever, effects of the treatment have been seen to remain with some patients for as long as six months; the average time frame being considered anywhere from three to four months with noticeable results being seen within as little as two weeks. However, the procedure can be repeated one the muscle relaxant has worn off.
To conclude, there are multiple ways in which you can alter the look of issues caused by excessive gingival display, helping you to achieve the perfect smile you’ve always wanted. The only step now is to find the treatment that’s right for you! If you’re interested in improving the look of your smile, visit our gummy smile correction page to find out what Ascent Dental Care Malvern can do for you.