Have you heard of a gummy smile? Whether you were lucky enough to grow into a perfectly straight smile or utilized the myriad of innovative orthodontic treatment options available to achieve that award-winning grin, if you have a gummy smile, you are likely very aware of it. Even the most perfect alignment can lose some aesthetic points when your gum-to-tooth ratio is unbalanced. So, what causes a gummy smile, and can it be fixed?
At Shine Orthodontics, we are proud to offer many different treatment options so you can get straighter teeth and a nicer-looking smile you can be proud to show off! Understanding the difference between treatment options is important to ensure your goal and your comfort during your treatment are aligned from the beginning. Let’s take a closer look at what causes a gummy smile and what our experienced team in Holly Springs, NC, can do to alleviate it.
What is a “Gummy” smile?
The technical term for a gummy smile is ‘excessive gingival display,’ which basically means more gums are showing above your upper teeth, either across a few teeth or the whole upper smile, than is common in most healthy adults. This imbalance is typically harmless, but it can make your upper teeth or lip appear too small, making some people feel self-conscious. For other patients, a gummy smile can indicate a deeper problem concerning their oral health. Dr. McGrogan and her caring team believe that if you love your gummy smile, there is no reason to change your appearance. However, if your gums cause you to smile less than you’d like or you are concerned you may have something else going on with your smile, schedule some “chair time” with Dr. McGrogan to get a plan together and get smiling again!
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
There are many causes for excessive gingival display, which makes calling it a “gummy smile” a bit deceptive. Your gums, teeth, lips and jaw are all contributing factors to how much of your gums show when you smile. Studies also show that women are twice as likely to have a gummy smile than men. Most of the credit for your gum appearance can be given to your genetics for each of those elements but sometimes, how we take care of our teeth can lead to an improper bite, inflammation and wear, which can all lead to your mouth compensating with excess gums.
For patients who seem to have a good balance between tooth size and gum amounts, your gummy smile is most likely caused by a hyperactive upper lip. This over-activity happens when the muscles in the upper lip and under the nose are stronger and more reactive than they should be. The repeated overuse can make the gummy smile more and more noticeable over time.
Your teeth and jaw play a part too. When the upper front teeth come down too far, often alongside a deep bite, they bring the gums down with them. In other cases, the upper jaw grows longer from top to bottom than usual, which shows more gum no matter how straight the teeth are. These are the causes orthodontic treatment can help with.
The most common cause of a gummy smile is simply too much gum tissue. When your teeth erupt from the jawline, the gums are stimulated to allow for growth and to create stability for the tooth. In some cases, the gum tissue can overgrow past the necessary point creating an unfavorable look that doesn’t affect the functionality of your teeth or jaws. With all of these possibilities for ending up with a gummy smile, what can be done to fix it?
Can a gummy smile be fixed?
In order to fix your gummy smile, Dr. McGrogan and her skilled team will need first to determine the underlying cause. Some causes are treated with braces or aligners right here in our office. Others are handled by your dentist, a periodontist or an oral surgeon, and Dr. McGrogan can point you to the right specialist. The most common treatment options for a gummy smile are:
Braces or Invisalign
If your gummy smile is caused by a bad bite, orthodontic treatment is often the answer. A common culprit is a deep bite, where the upper front teeth sit too far down over the lower teeth and bring extra gum into view. Invisalign clear aligners or even metal or clear braces can gently move those upper front teeth up into a better position, which raises the gum line along with them. When your teeth are correctly aligned, the gums will appear more balanced during functioning, like smiling, laughing and talking.
Some cases call for small temporary anchors, called TADs, that give the teeth a steady point to move against. If the gummy smile comes from how the upper jaw grew, braces alone may not be enough, and treatment can combine orthodontics with jaw surgery. If an overbite is part of your picture, our post on fixing your overbite with Invisalign walks through how aligners handle it, and you can learn more about treating a misaligned bite.
Scaling & Root Planing
For patients whose gum excess is caused by infected and inflamed gums, the best course of treatment is to start with a professional deep cleaning or scaling and root planing. This is done by your dentist or a periodontist, who can reach the deep pockets in the gums that are harboring bacteria to clear out the infection and help your gums heal. Once healed, the inflammation will also recede to reveal your appropriate tooth appearance.
Gum Lift or Crown Lengthening
If your excess gums are just that, excess gum tissue covering the teeth, a gum lift and contouring from a periodontist can give you the best results for your smile. During this procedure, some of the gum tissue is removed, and the remaining tissue is restructured for the desired gum shape at the new gum line. This procedure is commonly performed with crown lengthening when there is an abundance of gum tissue due to the tooth not erupting fully. With crown lengthening, the bone at the base of the tooth is also altered to make the tooth appear longer.
Lip-Lowering Surgery or Botox
Ever had your ears lowered? Just as deceptive as referring to a haircut as ear-lowering, lip-lowering doesn’t actually involve lowering your lip. Instead, in lip-lowering surgery, which is performed by a periodontist or oral surgeon, a small strip of tissue between the upper lip and gums is removed, and the top and bottom of this spot are stitched together to make the lip appear shorter. This “shorter” lip will not rise as high as it used to and will cover the gums more.
In comparison, some patients have found that a precise amount of Botox placed in the muscles that lift the upper lip can create a similar effect without surgery. The results wear off after a few months, so it needs to be repeated to last.
Gummy Smile After Braces
Some patients notice their gums look puffier or fuller while wearing braces. Brackets make brushing and flossing harder, and plaque buildup along the gum line can cause the gums to swell. In most cases, this settles down once braces come off and cleaning gets easier. Good daily brushing and flossing during treatment is the best way to prevent it. If extra gum tissue sticks around after treatment, a periodontist can reshape it, and Dr. McGrogan can help you decide if that step makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gummy Smiles
Can braces fix a gummy smile?
Yes, when the gummy smile comes from tooth position or the bite, like upper front teeth that sit too low in a deep bite. Braces or Invisalign can move those teeth into a better position, which raises the gum line with them. If the cause is extra gum tissue or a very active upper lip, other treatments work better.
What causes a gummy smile?
The most common causes are extra gum tissue, an upper lip that rises higher than usual, upper front teeth that sit too far down and the way the upper jaw grew. Many people have more than one cause.
Can Invisalign fix a gummy smile?
In many bite-related cases, yes. Invisalign can move the upper front teeth up into a better position. Dr. McGrogan will check whether your case is a good fit for aligners or would do better with braces.
Is a gummy smile a health problem?
Usually not. It’s mostly cosmetic, but swollen or inflamed gums can point to gum disease and should be checked by your dentist.
Why do my gums look bigger with braces?
Plaque around the brackets can make gums swell during treatment. It usually improves after braces come off, especially with good brushing and flossing along the gum line.
Let Shine Orthodontics fix your gummy smile so you can really smile!
We know you might feel self-conscious about other parts of your appearance, but a gummy smile is not something you have to get used to! Schedule your free, no-pressure consultation so Dr. Rita McGrogan can go over your options so that together we can make the right decision for you and your mouth!
We take pride in creating bright smiles while making you smile! If you want outstanding results and an unforgettable experience, come visit your local orthodontist Dr. Rita McGrogan and her stellar Holly Springs team!