How to get rid of gummy smile, or gummy grin?

What does gummy smile mean?

The term gummy smile is used to describe a gummy smile, which is one of the more commonly reported aesthetic dental problems. It results from an imbalance between the teeth, gums and mouth. As a result, the upper gums are overexposed during the smile, making the teeth appear far too short. This produces an unappetizing effect, which, especially in the case of adolescents, is sometimes the cause of ridicule and self-acceptance problems.

A gummy smile is diagnosed when the gums are exposed for at least 2-3 mm from the edge of the teeth. It is worth mentioning that this condition is much more often diagnosed in women and younger people.

What are the causes of gummy smile?

Gummy smile, or excessive exposure of the gums when smiling, can have various causes, which are usually related to the structure and function of the muscles and teeth. The most common include:

• tooth-gum factors - improper process of tooth eruption (i.e., tooth growth), which can lead to excessive tooth exposure;
• Muscular factors - excessive activity of the muscles that lift the upper lip, such as the great zygomatic muscle, causes the lip to lift and expose the gums;
• bone factors - excessive vertical growth of the jaw can make the gums more prominent;
• Mixed causes - the occurrence of more than one of the above causes.

Additional factors include a short upper lip, a short dental crown (the visible part of the tooth above the gum line), vertical overgrowth of the jaw, and gingival overgrowth (hyperplasia).

How to get rid of gummy smile?

Individuals with a gummy smile first visit a dentist. This is the correct decision, because a doctor of this specialty is able to determine the cause of a gummy smile after performing a periodontal analysis (that is, assessing the health of the tissues surrounding the teeth, including gums, bone and periodontal ligaments), and suggest appropriate dental treatment. 

In the case of younger people, it is worth considering the installation of orthodontic braces. This method will work if there are orthodontic defects behind the gummy smile (e.g. very small teeth, malocclusion). Apart is also a suggested solution if there has been excessive growth of the jawbone.

It is worth remembering that gummy smile braces will bring results only if they are fitted to a person whose jaw development is still ongoing - so this is not a method for adults. Although the treatment is very long, it gives lasting results and is effective.

Botox vs gummy smile treatment

For adults, a gummy smile can be corrected with a botulinum toxin injection. This method is best for people in whom overactive muscles are responsible for a gummy smile.

Botulinum toxin causes inhibition of the contraction of selected muscles, thereby relaxing them. What effect can be counted on? The upper lip stops exposing the gums. Treatment of gummy smile with Botox not only gives the expected results, but significantly improves the patient's well-being. Due to the complex anatomy of the perioral area, this is not a simple procedure, so it is important that an experienced specialist performs it. 

How long does botox last on a gummy smile?

The effects of Botox gummy smile treatment can be seen after a maximum of two weeks. Keep in mind, however, that they are not permanent and the treatment should be repeated every few months. You don't have to be afraid of cyclic injections, because Botox for gummy smile is minimally invasive, safe, and complications are rare and the most common is asymmetry visible with dynamic mouth and smile work. The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia, and the whole procedure takes about 10 minutes.

The advantage is the small number of contraindications to Botox injection. People who are allergic to botulinum toxin and chicken protein cannot benefit from the method. The procedure is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as those with purulent lesions at the sites of toxin administration. 

Other treatment methods gummy smile

In addition to botulinum toxin, surgical procedures may be considered in more serious cases. It is worth remembering that these are invasive methods, and the toxin generally produces very good results and does not involve a hospital stay and anesthesia. It is a minimally invasive and reversible procedure (it does not need to be repeated in case of an unsatisfactory result).

Other treatments include:

• Lip repositioning (lip repositioning surgery) - the indication for performance is excessive lip mobility and vertical jaw excess of a benign nature. The operation can be performed in the traditional way (using a scalpel) or with laser technology. It is safe, but can cause complications, among which the most common are swelling, bruising and even recurrence of gummy smile.
• Gingivectomy - involves the removal of part of the gum covering the crowns of the teeth by traditional or laser methods. The procedure is performed when gingival overgrowth or abnormalities in the process of tooth growth (so-called altered passive eruption) are responsible for the gummy smile. The effect of the procedure is immediate and permanent.
• Orthognathic surgery - this is performed only in severe cases and with the patient's consent, as it involves removing part of the jaw. It gives very good results, but is associated with a significant change in facial features.
• Administration of hyaluronic acid in the area above the upper lip - in this way it is possible to "lengthen" the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip and a kind of "hiding of the gums".

Why opt for gummy smile treatment?

Smiling is important, not only in the context of expressing emotions. When we smile, we are better perceived, make contacts more easily and make a friendly first impression. Unfortunately, people with gummy smiles laugh less often, because the problem they face is, in their case, a source of uncertainty and discomfort.

Gummy smile treatment is not only a procedure of aesthetic importance, but also psychological. Botox injection makes it possible to maintain the proportion between teeth and gums. And when we are satisfied with our appearance, our self-confidence grows and we are more willing to smile. 

FAQ

How much does a gummy smile treatment cost?

The price of gummy smile treatment varies quite a bit, and depends on the method chosen, as well as additional procedures (often gummy smile treatment is combined with, for example, teeth whitening, which affects the final cost). Prices range from a few hundred zlotys for toxin to several thousand zlotys for more complicated surgical procedures. Therefore, to find out the exact price, it is best to contact the clinic of your choice and schedule a consultation.

How to get rid of gummy smile?

There are several methods of removing gummysmile, among which the best and very fast results are provided by toxin injection. It is a minimally invasive and safe procedure. It does not involve as much pain and anesthesia as surgical methods, although it can cause discomfort.

What does gummy smile mean?

Gummy smile is the so-called gummy smile. It manifests itself in excessive gum exposure, most noticeable when smiling. It is sometimes the cause of complexes, negatively affects self-esteem and often reduces self-confidence. 

What can be done so that the gums are not visible when smiling?

In the case of a gummy smile, it is not possible to reduce the visibility of the gums when smiling, as this is a problem related to, among other things, excess gum tissue or the incorrect position of the upper lip. Aesthetic medicine can help.

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