A gummy smile – professionally termed, “gingival display” – is a condition that results in the display of excessive gum tissue being exposed above the two front teeth when smiling.
Individuals that experience this issue are often troubled by it; many claim that it makes them self-conscious about their appearance and results in feeling less attractive, overall.
When a person has 3 millimeters or more of gum tissue showing when smiling, a dental professional will diagnose gingival display. While considered to be experienced more by women, no one is immune to the possibility of developing this dental issue.
The Causes
While a gummy smile may be an unwelcome issue among those that suffer from it, there is good news. This can be resolved. Before putting a plan in motion to fix a gummy smile, a dental professional must uncover the cause of the condition.
In doing so, they will be able to get to the “root” of the matter and take the most productive steps possible to transition the smile from a “gummy” one to a “toothy” one. The following outlines the most common causes of a gummy smile:
- If the teeth in the mouth erupted in an improper fashion, it could be that the teeth look smaller and the gum tissue looks larger because the teeth are – in fact – actually covered by some of the gum tissue.
- There are those that appear to have a gummy smile simply because they have a short or small upper lip.
- In some instances, the lips may be the right size for the face, but the upper lip is considered to be “hyperactive”; that is, it is normal while resting, but upon smiling or laughing, it actually lifts up very high and exposes the gum tissue that would normally be hidden, otherwise.
- There could be too much growth in the upper jaw region. As a result, the gums in the mouth may appear to actually bulge outwards.
- The gum tissue above the two front teeth may actually be too long or may be going through an enlargement. This is professionally referred to as “gingival hypertrophy”.
- In many instances, the teeth may suffer from natural wear and become short in comparison to the amount of gum tissue that is present.
Treatments to Resolve a Gummy Smile
There are many different ways to fix a smile that exposes too much gum tissue. The treatment is typically dependent upon the underlying cause of the issue.
Examples of common treatments include orthodontic treatment, jaw surgery, crown lengthening, a gingivectomy, lip repositioning, laser gum contouring, Botox, and similar treatments.
If you suffer from a gummy smile, we here at Implant & Perio Specialists can assist you. We specialize in all kinds of treatments – be it soft tissue grafting, laser periodontal therapy, or crown lengthening in Wichita – we can help turn a gummy smile into the smile that you secretly with for.
If you would like to learn more, simply call us today at: 316-330-4050