Schedule an Appointment
Gummy Smile: Causes, Treatments, and Solutions
A gummy smile, where excessive gum tissue shows when smiling, can affect one’s appearance and confidence. Dr. Gowd’s Dental Clinic in Hyderabad offers various treatments, including gum contouring and Botox, to address this concern.
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is defined as the visibility of more than 2 millimeters of gum tissue when a person smiles. The smile can be uneven due to the excess gum exposure, which may make the teeth appear smaller or the gums bigger than normal.
Causes of a Gummy Smile
There are several reasons why a person develops a gummy smile:
- Hyperactive Lip Muscles: The upper lip muscles may pull the lip higher than normal when smiling, exposing more of the gums.
- Excess Gum Tissue: Sometimes the gums naturally grow too thick, covering the teeth more than they should.
- Short or Small Teeth: Teeth that are short, small, or not fully erupted can make the gums appear more prominent.
- Mandibular Positioning Problems: A receding or anteriorly positioned jaw can cause the upper lip to be somewhat elevated, thereby increasing gum exposure
Types of Gummy Smile
Gummy smiles can be classified in terms of their severity:
- Mild: Only a slight gum exposure may occur during smiling, but this is very difficult to notice by observers.
- Moderate: Around half of the eminence of the tooth will be exposed.
- Severe: The gum tissue covers much of the teeth, and this more easily leads to a more pronounced gummy smile
Before and After Gummy Smile
Treatment of Gummy Smile
The treatment for a gummy smile depends on its cause. Here are common options:
- Gingivectomy (Gum Contouring): This procedure involves the removal of excess gum tissue, often using a laser, for a more even gum line. It can be done in one or several sessions, depending on the extent of gum tissue removal
- Botox injections: Botox can smooth out the facial muscles that can cause the mouth to open with a higher incidence of gum visibility. This isn’t a surgery, but follow-up treatments have to be recurrent.
- Crown lengthening procedure: This procedure allows for the creation of a reshaped gum and sometimes bone level to expose teeth and reduce a visible gum profile
- Orthognathic Surgery: If the condition is caused by a misaligned jaw, surgery could be necessary to correct the position of the jaw, thus reducing the visibility of the gums.
- Orthodontic Treatment: Braces or aligners could be used in correcting the misalignment of teeth and the jaw thus addressing the source of the problem of a gummy smile
Why Choose Dr. Gowd's Dental Clinic?
Do you feel self-conscious about your gummy smile? Dr. Gowd’s Dental Clinic provides individualized treatments so you can freely smile—call now!
Medically Reviewed
Last Reviewed on 28/01/2025
Book an Appointment
Meet Our Expert Doctors
Leaders in dental care and innovation.
Prof. Dr. M.S. Gowd
Founder & Director, Dr. Gowd’s Dental Hospital
Prof. Dr. Snigdha Gowd
Chairman & CEO, Dr. Gowd’s Dental Hospital
Prof. Dr. T. Shankar
Founder Member & Director, School of Dental Implants
Read our Blogs
Stay informed with tips, insights, and the latest trends in dental care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most common question that raised in patients
Can a gummy smile be treated?
Yes, treatments include gum contouring, Botox, orthodontics, and surgery.
Is Botox injection an effective treatment for a gummy smile?
Botox will relax the muscles responsible for the lifting of the upper lip and cause the gums to be less noticeable. This will last several months.
Does a gummy smile require surgery?
Surgery is sometimes required for severe cases, such as when jaw misalignment is the cause of the gummy smile.
How long does it take to recover from gum contouring?
Recovery from gum contouring is usually rapid, and most people return to normal activities within a few days.
Can braces help with a gummy smile?
Yes, orthodontic braces can do just that – align the teeth and the jaw, thus reducing the gummy smile.
Dr. Gowds Dental Clinic Gachibowli Hyderabad
Survey no. 59, Plot No: 25, Fantasy Square, T9/T8, 3rd Floor, 1 & 2 I, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Telangana 500032
Phone Number: 08065295030
