A gummy smile means an excessive display of gum tissues at the top of your teeth when you smile. More specifically, a gummy smile is defined as having your gums exposed by 3 millimeters or more when you smile.
So generally, for the condition to qualify as “gummy tissue”, the gums must be prominently visible. Alternatively, an exposure of the gums by 2 millimeters or less when you smile is not categorized as a gummy smile.
What are the causes of a gummy smile?
- Short teeth covered by gum tissues
- Genetic issues resulting in teeth shorter than gums
- Shortness of the upper lip
- Hyperactivity of the upper lip
- Overgrowth of gum tissue or gingival hypertrophy
- Jaw development problems
- Abnormal tooth eruptions
Why should you have your gummy smile fixed?
A gummy smile is aesthetically undesirable. It can adversely affect how you present yourself publicly, making many people anxious and self-conscious about their smile and leading to a loss of confidence.
But overgrown gums can also be red and inflamed, especially when gum disease is the reason for the extra tissue. The swelling and redness can cause discomfort, which can result in bleeding when you brush and floss.
Plus, the extra gum tissue can trap food particles and bacteria, resulting in persistent bad breath, inflammation, swelling, and bleeding. Overgrown gums can equally accelerate tooth decay as they make it difficult to clean your teeth.
How can a gummy smile be fixed without surgery?
Speak with your plastic surgeon about the problem in order to find out the treatment option that is right for you.
Some gummy smiles can only be fixed through surgery but many can be treated without surgery. Your doctor will help determine whether or not you’re an appropriate candidate. When surgery isn’t necessary, your doctor may recommend any of the following options.
- Using Botox injections to fix your gummy smile
Botox injection is a safe, effective non-surgical method of fixing a gummy smile. When injected, Botox helps to relax facial muscles and to treat hyperactive lips. Plus, it prevents your lips from being pulled up excessively when you smile.
Before the injection, your doctor will identify the correct muscles to target. And depending on the specific muscles, the surgeon will use a few pricks on each side of your face to administer Botox. There is no downtime after treatment and you can get back to work thereafter.
At Politis Plastic Surgery, we generally begin Botox treatment with what we believe is the minimally effective dose. Then we review the effects after two weeks and add additional doses as required. The treatment produces high patient satisfaction and gives excellent results within 48 hours to 2 weeks.
- Using gum fillers to fix your gummy smile
An alternative way to fix a gummy smile without surgery is using dermal fillers or lip fillers. The fillers are injected into the lips to plump them up and minimize the extent by which your gum can show.
At Politis Plastic Surgery, we use dermal fillers to increase lip volume, thicken lips, and boost symmetry. The treatment takes around 10 minutes and is a safe, effective way of eliminating a gummy smile.
Working with a highly-trained, experienced licensed surgeon
Do you show too much gum when you smile and would like to discuss treatment options ? Are you struggling with self-consciousness and lack of confidence because of an embarrassing gummy smile?
At Politis Plastic Surgery, we offer surgical and no-surgical treatments for gummy smiles. Dr. Effie Politis is a skilled, licensed, board-certified plastic surgeon who can treat a gummy smile with various surgical and non-surgical options.
Book your consultation today to have your questions answered and to see how we can help you regain beautiful, confident smiles. For more information on surgical and non-surgical plastic surgery techniques, visit the site “Politis Plastic Surgery.”
