When you smile, how much of your gums can you see? An excess of gum tissue that shows when smiling (also called excessive gingival display) can affect your self-confidence and discourage you from displaying your pearly whites. Luckily, this condition is treatable with the help of your dental team.
What Is a Gummy Smile?
As an article in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports (IJSCR) describes, a smile with more than 2 millimetres of exposed gum is a gummy smile (GS). There are several causes of GS, including:
- Altered eruption of the teeth during childhood
- Downward movement of the upper teeth or excessive growth of the upper jawbone
- Short or overactive upper lip muscles, such as the levator labii superioris and levator anguli oris, lift the lip upward.
If you have this condition, rest assured that gummy smiles are common. They are found in 10.5% to 29% of the population and are more common in females.
Treatments for Gummy Smiles
How much of your gums can you see when you smile? Excess gum tissue that appears when you smile (also known as excessive gingival display) might lower your self-esteem and prevent you from showing off your sparkling whites. Fortunately, this issue is manageable with the assistance of your dental experts.
What Exactly Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is defined as having more than 2 millimetres of visible gum, according to a report published in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports (IJSCR) (GS). Several factors: may cause GS.
- Teeth eruption changes throughout childhood
- Upper teeth migration downward or abnormal development of the upper jawbone
- Upper lip muscles that are short or hyperactive, such as the levator labii superioris and levator anguli oris, raise the lip upward.
If you have this illness, you should know that gummy grins are relatively frequent. They affect 10.5 percent to 29 percent of the population and are more prevalent in females.
Gummy Smile Treatments
Discussing your ailment with your dental expert is essential, as they will identify the specific source of the problem and recommend the best treatment choice. Here are three popular GS treatments:
Crown Expansion
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, this surgery includes removing extra gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s crown and shaping the gumline to raise it higher. A periodontist is an expert who performs this procedure.
This technique is divided into two sections, according to the IJSCR article: gingivectomy (removal of the extra gum tissue) and osseous surgery (removal of the excess bone and shaping of the jawbone). Whether all steps are required depends on the patient and the amount of extra gum tissue.
Injection of Botulinum Toxin (BT)
When you think of botulinum toxin (BT), you may envision a therapy used to smooth creases and wrinkles on the face; nevertheless, BT has many other medical applications, including the treatment of GS.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research shows that BT injections may help with GS instances with hyperactive lip muscles. In these cases, BT should be injected in moderate dosages to avoid over-contraction of the upper lip muscles, which might have the opposite effect of what is sought. This therapy is usually three to six months long and must be repeated every six months to a year. This operation may be performed by dentists or medical specialists who have received the necessary expertise.
Orthodontic Care or Surgery?
According to the IJSCR article, if a GS is caused by downward movement of the top teeth or excessive development of the upper jawbone, it may be addressed by an orthodontist who specialises in tooth and jaw straightening. If required, they may use orthodontic tools to push the teeth higher or collaborate with surgeons to relocate the teeth surgically.
Finally, if you have a gummy grin that you would want to address, consult with your dentist. They can advise you on the best treatment choice based on the reason.