No two smiles look exactly the same. Some people naturally flash their pearly whites, while others may show a little more gum when they smile. While there is nothing wrong with this and many are comfortable with it, others may be interested in exploring different ways to safely affect the look of their smile. Thankfully, modern dentistry offers a range of treatment options for gummy smiles.
What is a gummy smile?
All smiles involve a balance between the display of teeth and gums, and some people will naturally show a little more of their gums than others. These are what we call gummy smiles, or something known more technically as excessive gingival display, and is when a larger portion of gum tissue is visible above the teeth. While there is no set threshold of gum visibility, many consider a smile ‘gummy’ if there is more than a few millimetres of gum tissue visible.
Importantly, having a gummy smile isn’t necessarily a bad thing! It doesn’t tend to indicate anything wrong with your dental health, and is most often a difference in aesthetics, but we do understand that some patients may prefer to explore how they can change the look of their smile. There are a number of different available treatments, but the right method depends on the cause behind your gummy smile.
What causes a gummy smile?
The most common cause of a gummy smile is simply an excess of gum tissue. However, there are a variety of other factors that can contribute. The most common gummy smile causes include:
- Short or worn teeth, which make the gums appear more prominent
- Issues with jaw or bite alignment, when the upper jaw sits more forward or downward than normal
- Teeth that haven’t fully erupted, especially in younger patients
- Orthodontic factors, like teeth sitting too low in the gum line
It’s important to understand the reasons behind each smile before considering any treatment. To help you make the best choice, we go through a detailed assessment of your teeth and oral health first, examining the size, shape and position of your teeth, the position of your jaw, and your overall gum levels. This helps us recommend the best solution for you that will have a lasting result.
How to fix a gummy smile
Depending on the cause of your gummy smile, we can suggest one of the following treatments as a solution.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatments, like braces or Invisalign, are used to change the position of your jaw and the alignment of your bite. We may recommend treatments like these when the gummy appearance of your smile is due to teeth sitting too low in the gums, or if poor bite alignment is affecting appearance. More than just being a cosmetic fix, orthodontics will also help to create long-term stability in your jaw, providing significant benefits to your overall oral health.
Veneers or crowns
In situations where your teeth are naturally short or uneven, getting crowns or veneers can help to rebalance the appearance, by increasing the visible tooth surface. This in turn helps to make the gums appear less prominent. We may also recommend this type of treatment if your teeth have existing wear, damage or discolouration, providing a full cosmetic restoration.
Gum contouring
Where the above two treatments work on the teeth, gum contouring involves carefully reshaping the gums themselves. In modern dentistry, this is often done using a laser to remove excess gum tissue, helping to create a balanced and symmetrical smile appearance. However, we only recommend this treatment in cases where a patient’s underlying tooth structure will support it, and when their gum health is stable enough.
Is treatment right for you?
As we mentioned, having a gummy smile isn’t necessarily a health problem, but instead comes down to aesthetics, which means it’s up to each patient whether they’re interested in treatment or not. Improving a gummy smile is about creating balance between your teeth and gums, and with the right approach, we can help you find a smile that best reflects you.
If you’re concerned about the look of your gums, or just want to learn a bit more, get in touch with our helpful team or book an appointment. We’re always here to help you smile.
