The Gummy Smile Explained: What You Should Know
The Gummy Smile Explained: What You Should Know
Do you become self-conscious when sharing your laughter or capturing a photograph due to the prominence of your gums? Instead of focusing on the joy of the moment, you become preoccupied with the way your smile looks, feeling that it reveals more of your gums than you would prefer. It can be a common concern that requires a deeper understanding of what causes the gummy smile and how you can address it.
What is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile occurs when a person shows an excessive amount of gingiva (gums) when they open their mouth or while smiling. To help you understand the difference between a regular smile and a gummy smile, our dentists want to point out that:
• Normal smile = A smile with less than 2 millimeters of gum line visible.
• Gummy smile = A smile with more than 2 millimeters of gum line visible.
According to a recent study, gummy smiles are commonly found in women (about 14% in women and 7% in men). It is a clear indication that women are more prone to gummy smiles. Your gumline appearance may be determined by the following:
• The height and shape of your teeth.
• The movement of your lips while smiling.
• The angle of your jaw in relation to the rest of your face.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
Sometimes, a gummy smile can be the result of genetics. However, it can also be the result of other reasons. Let’s take a closer look at some of the common causes:
Adult Teeth Growth Shapes Your Smile:
Sometimes, adult teeth can cause a gummy smile due to the way they grow. Although this can vary between individuals, a small study conducted in 2014 revealed that genetics may play a role.
• If your gums covered a larger surface area of your teeth during development, known as altered passive eruption, this could have contributed to a gummy smile.
• Furthermore, if your front teeth grew in too far or over erupted, your gums may have grown too far, leading to a condition called dentoalveolar extrusion.
• It can also happen due to the condition called vertical maxillary excess. It happens when the bone of the upper jaw grows longer than the usual length.
Lip Differences:
A gummy smile can occur if your upper lip is short. Additionally, hypermobile lips, which move when you smile, may reveal more of your gum line.
Neurological Changes:
Sometimes, the gum tissue looks fine, but when you smile, and your upper lip goes too high, it shows too much of it. As you get older, the nerves that control your facial muscles may change. If the nerve that controls your upper lip is affected, your muscles might suddenly tense up. This can make you show more of your teeth and gums than usual.
How to Treat My Gummy Smile Problems?
A gummy smile has very few health concerns and is more of a cosmetic issue. Many people are not aware of the treatment options that they have. There are many ways to treat gummy smiles; here are some of them.
1. Scaling & Root Planning:
If the cause of the gummy smile is inflammation or infection in the gums, often the best way to start is with a professional dental cleaning called scaling and root planning. The advanced cleaning reaches into the gum pockets to remove the bacteria and infection, promoting healing. Inflammation tends to go away as the infection is gone, which can be the reason for the gummy looks.
2. Gum Lift or Crown Lengthening:
If a gummy smile is because of too much gum tissue covering the teeth, the dentist might suggest a gum lift or crown lengthening as the best option. A gum lift procedure removes some areas of gum tissue around your teeth and restructures the gum line. In some cases, your doctor might recommend crown lengthening treatment, which will change the structure of your gums and the bone around the teeth.
3. Lip Lowering:
While the name of this treatment may be somewhat misleading, as your dentist might not lower your lip, in this treatment, a small section of gum tissue from the upper lip is removed, and then the top and bottom are stitched for a shorter-looking lip. It will make it difficult for the upper lip to rise and cover the gums, reducing the gummy smile.
4. Orthodontics:
Orthodontics is the preferred method if the gummy smile occurs because of jaw problems or bite issues. Thus, you can treat gummy problems due to the misalignment of the teeth using orthodontic treatments like dental braces or clear aligners. These devices will help you correct the gummy smile and improve the aesthetics of the smile.
How Versailles Can Help You?
If a gummy smile stops you from smiling, you may need treatment—contact Versailles Dental Clinic in Dubai to book your appointment. Our professionals will examine you and recommend the best treatment for your gum-related problems. Visit our website and learn more about our services.
FAQ
What is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile occurs when a person shows an excessive amount of gingiva (gums) when they open their mouth or smile. A normal smile has less than 2 millimeters of gum line visible, while a gummy smile reveals more than 2 millimeters of gum line.
Who is more likely to have a gummy smile?
Gummy smiles are more commonly found in women (about 14% in women and 7% in men). This suggests that women are more prone to gummy smiles. The appearance of your gumline can be influenced by the height and shape of your teeth, the movement of your lips while smiling, and the angle of your jaw in relation to your face.
What causes a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile can be caused by various factors, including genetics, the growth of adult teeth, lip differences, and neurological changes. Some people may have a gummy smile due to the way their adult teeth develop, genetics, or conditions like vertical maxillary excess.
How can Versailles Dental Clinic help with my gummy smile?
If a gummy smile is a concern for you, you can contact Versailles Dental Clinic in Dubai to book an appointment. The professionals at the clinic will examine your situation and recommend the best treatment for your gum-related issues
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Disclaimer : The content of this article is not a substitute for professional dental advice.
