Have you ever noticed that your gums appear out of proportion to your smile? If so, you can have a condition called excessive gingival exposure, popularly known as a gummy smile. A gummy smile is a condition where more than 4 mm of gums are visible above your upper teeth when smiling.
Sometimes, a gummy smile is not just the reason for an unattractive smile but can also indicate poor oral health. You run the risk of gum disease, foul breath, and swollen, sore gums with an untreated gummy smile.
But let us tell you the good news: this issue is treatable! With just one trip to the dentist, you can have a movie star’s smile. To help you with it, we have discussed the various factors that cause the gummy smile and its possible cures.
Reasons For A Gummy Smile
The Tooth’s Character
If the teeth have not fully emerged and are still partially covered by gum tissue, they may appear short and tiny. Due to wear attrition or naturally small teeth, the teeth appear small about the gums.
Short Upper Lip
The gap between the top lip and the philtrum, which measures an average of 20 to 24 millimetres in length, is usually 6 to 8 millimetres in a smile. Hypermobile lips are characterized by the top lip lifting excessively high when smiling while maintaining a normal length at rest.
Vertical Maxillary Excess
One way to describe vertical maxillary excess is as excessive upper jaw growth that causes the gums to protrude. The classic signs of these patients include a long face and lip incompetence (inability to unite the upper and lower lip at repose).
Gum Hypertrophy
Gum hypertrophy can be caused by various conditions, including hormonal changes during pregnancy or adolescence. Additionally, specific gum or bony tumours arising from the jaw bone can manifest as too much gum tissue, resulting in gum hypertrophy.
Mouth Breathing
Breathing through the mouth can lead to inflamed gums that ultimately result in a gummy smile.
Types Of Treatments For A Gummy Smile
Gum Surgery
This gummy smile treatment is also known as crown lengthening. The gum tissue is sculpted or reshaped during this surgery to lengthen and enhance the appearance of the targeted teeth.
Lip Lowering
To realign the lip, so it doesn’t pull up as much when the patient smiles, a small portion of connective tissue from inside the lip is removed.
Botox Injections
This method does not involve surgery. Here, botulinum toxin is introduced to the upper lip to numb the muscles that retract.
Jaw Surgery
The upper jaw must be surgically adjusted to restore the proper facial profile in situations of vertical maxillary excess.
Orthodontic Treatments
If the top front teeth erupt more or are pushed forward, the patient has numerous possibilities for treatment, such as removable Invisalign or braces.
Conclusion
There are numerous reasons you can have a gummy smile, ranging from genetics, habits, and other medical conditions you do not have control over. But, with advanced dental treatments, you can get rid of your gummy smile now!
As discussed, a gummy smile can be the reason for various oral issues. Thus, getting it surgically treated by an expert will improve your oral health and make you more confident about your smile and overall appearance.
