In today’s world, people give utmost importance to one’s appearance. That is why it is often said to look presentable whenever you meet people. The primary focus of people’s eyes is your face. By face, we do not mean that it should look beautiful. But it should look presentable and healthy. The main feature which contributes towards your facial beauty is your smile. Even if you have an average-looking face, a wholesome, radiant smile will leave a lasting impression on people who meet you for the first time.
However, heavy good oral health and aligned teeth are not enough for some people. The majority of people suffer from gummy or toothy smiles. In this blog, we are going to discuss what causes a gummy smile and what are the treatments for it. So, if you are on the same journey to explore gummy smile treatments, then hop in to know more.
What Is A Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile has nothing to do with your oral health. However, as the name suggests, it has something to do with your gums. When a significant amount of gumline is visible while smiling, the smile is termed a gummy smile. It is sometimes referred to as excessive gingival display. The gummy smile either has something to do with your lips or excessive tissue in the gums. Some of the primary causes of gummy smiles are:
- Tooth growth differences.
- Excessive growth of gingival tissue.
- Discrepancies in lip proportions.
- Medications that cause enlarged gums or swollen gums.
Cosmetic Dental Treatments For Gummy Smile
Veneers
Dental veneers are made of porcelain or composite material. This material adheres to the surface of the teeth to cover the chipped, crooked or misshaped teeth. Veneers make your teeth appear longer and in a balanced proportion to your gum. Therefore, it is a viable treatment for those with no other underlying dental problems, such as gum disease.
Orthodontics
If your gummy smile is caused due to underbite, overbite, crossbite or a misaligned jaw, then it can be fixed with orthodontics. However, the procedure of orthodontics can be prolonged depending on your condition. Typically it takes 8 to 12 months to treat a misaligned jawbone.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a procedure that is performed by removing the excess gum tissue to get rid of the gummy smile. It exposed the large part of the tooth’s crown to balance out the teeth and gum proportions.
The procedure is divided into two parts namely: gingivectomy which involves the extraction or removal of excess gum tissue, and osseous surgery, which involves the extraction of extra bone and reshaping of the jawbone.
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring involves reshaping the gum line by using laser technology. The procedure is minimally invasive and quick. It re-sculpts the gum tissue and extracts the extra tissue to make your smile appear normal.
Lip Repositioning
A hyperactive lip causes the upper lip to rise higher than it should. This condition comes under the cause of lips discrepancies. So, to deal with it, the upper lip is moved downward using a surgical procedure.
Another way to deal with hyperactive upper lip is by using Botox. It is injected into the lower part of the nose and upper lip to freeze the lip muscles in one place so that it won’t expose the gum while smiling.
Orthognathic Surgery
Orthognathic surgery is performed to reposition the upper jaw by the amount you need to reduce to get rid of the gummy smile. To perform the surgery, the dentist will have to administer anesthesia to numb the pain.
This surgery balances the proportions of the jaws. The procedure is lengthy and sometimes might require you to wear braces before for a significant amount of time before the surgery.
Temporary Anchorage Devices
Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are screwed into your jawbone and act as an anchor to reposition your teeth. These devices are like branches that help move the teeth gradually into a new position, reducing the appearance of a gummy smile. TADs are more invasive compared to dental braces. However, it is minimally invasive if compared to orthognathic surgery.
Conclusion
There used to be one or two viable or minimally invasive dental treatments for gummy smiles. Fortunately, advancements in the dentistry field, such as using of laser techniques and other methods, have truly made the treatment of gummy smiles easier. Today you can book an appointment with your dentist and start the treatment of your gummy smile right away without being afraid.