Gummy Smile

Gummy Smile

If your gums are exposed because the upper lip is lifted too high when you smile then a Gummy Smile Correction could be the solution. It is not always because you have small teeth that the gums are exposed. Sometimes your teeth just look small because when you smile there is an imbalance between the gums and upper lip.

Possible causes of a gummy smile are:

1. Over-developed elevation muscle of the upper lip

2. The upper lip and the gums are joined too closely

3. Excess gum tissue

4. Undersized teeth

Gummy Smile: Botox or Myotomy

Often the elevation muscle is over-developed:

Botox

An over-developed elevation muscle can be weakened with a few small injections of Botox in the elevation muscles of the upper lip (Elevator Labii Superioris Muscle). Botox ensures that the elevator muscle contracts less powerfully so that the upper lip isn't lifted as high when smiling. This means that your gums are less exposed when you smile. Your natural facial expressions remain the same.

The doctor gives you a few Botox injections just next to the nose. The amount of Botox units you need depends on the strength of the muscle. Generally 10 units of Botox are sufficient.

• The results of Botox injections last between 4 and 9 months, when the treatment can be repeated.

Myotomy 

The plastic surgeon weakens the elevation muscle of the upper lip (myotomy) between the gums and the upper lip. This procedure is performed with a local anaesthetic and last about an hour. The incision is made in the mouth so that the scar is invisible.

Any swelling and bruising generally disappears within about two weeks. Sensory disturbance may occur. The movements of the corners of the mouth remain intact for a beautiful and natural smile.

• A myotomy operation gives permanent results. 

Gummy Smile: Detaching the Upper lip

 The join between the upper lip and the gums:

Sometimes the join between the upper lip and the gums inside the mouth, is over-developed. This can cause an unnatural-looking smile. Your gums are exposed sometimes even when you are not smiling.

• If this is the case then simply decreasing the join between the upper lip and gum tissue has the desired effect. 

Gummy Smile: Gum correction

 You have overgrown gum tissue:

Gingivoplasty - Gingivectomy 

Sometimes the teeth look too small because they are surrounded by too much gum tissue. A gingivoplasty or gingivectomy treatment can offer a solution. If this is the case the cosmetic dentist will increase the surface of your teeth by correcting the gum tissue.

• Gingivoplasty = gum tissue correction = improving the appearance of the gum tissue around the teeth.
• Gingivectomy = removing excess gum tissue.

Gummy Smile: Cosmetic Dentistry

Your teeth are too small:

Facings - Crowns

Sometimes the teeth are just too small compared to the gums. The cosmetic dentist can increase the surface of your teeth by:

• attaching facings
• attaching crowns

Read more about the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry.