What Are the Treatment Options for a Gummy Smile?
Every day, we meet, greet and comfort one another with smiles and laughter, but what about those of us feeling self-conscious about their smile? There are many reasons why someone may feel insecure about their smile, and a gummy smile is one of them.
A gummy smile, sometimes referred to as Excessive Gingival Display (EGD), is when excess gum tissue can be seen when you smile. Although this is not a medical problem, it can cause many who suffer from it to feel insecure, shy and even embarrassed.
Fortunately, there are many different treatment options available for a gummy smile, and it’s important to decide which one is right for you.
What Is Considered a Gummy Smile?
On average, 3-4 millimetres of exposed gumline when smiling is regarded as disproportionate. However, determining a gummy smile often comes down to personal perception and aesthetics.
This can be affected by a few natural factors including:
- The shape and height of your teeth
- The angle of your jaw
- The way your lips move
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
There is no singular cause of a gummy smile; yet natural factors such as the growth of your teeth, the size of your lips and even genetics can play a part in highlighting the excess gum.
What Gummy Smile Treatments are Available?
If you’re unhappy with your smile, don’t worry – there are many treatments available, both surgical and non-surgical. Some of the most popular non-surgical options include:
Botox
Botox is a non-surgical treatment designed to temporarily paralyse your elevator muscles; this means that when you smile, your upper lip does not rise dramatically.
This is the safest of all treatment options and has a long list of benefits. Botox is less expensive and less intrusive than other solutions, causing little to no discomfort. With an immediate recovery, results take up to 2 weeks to improve the appearance of a gummy smile and can last for up to 6 months.
Perhaps the most significant advantage of Botox is that the injections are tailored to your natural face shape and any adjustments can be made to ensure they are right for you.
Dermal Fillers for Gummy Smile
Another non-surgical option is dermal fillers. This treatment plumps your upper lip to reduce the amount of gum shown. Much like Botox, this procedure is non-invasive and can be entirely modified to suit your face structure and personal needs.
If you are looking for a more permanent fix, you may want to consider surgical treatments such as:
Orthodontics
If your gummy smile is caused by an orthodontic issue, this can be fixed using orthodontic appliances. This option is usually recommended to patients experiencing other, additional issues with their teeth.
Considering the condition of your teeth, a dentist may recommend veneers or dental crowns; or you may be offered treatments such as gum contouring, which involves removing extra gum tissue.
Jaw Surgery
The most invasive of the options is to undergo jaw surgery. This procedure involves balancing the length of your upper and lower jaw.
Due to the scale of the surgery, you would be required to remain in hospital following the procedure and must wear a brace to hold the jaw in position as it heals.
