Gummy Smile Treatment

Understanding Gummy Smiles

There is no definition that everyone agrees on what a gummy smile is. It is all a matter of opinion. What seems like “too much” gum tissue to one could go unnoticed by another. Generally, you will have a gummy smile if you show more than three to four millimetres of gum tissue with your smile.

A gummy smile can be the result of various causes. Some people can inherit this genetically, while others might have a hyperactive upper lip with more gum tissue. Furthermore, certain medical conditions or medications can cause excess gum tissue growth. If your jaw or bite is out of alignment, it could affect how much gum tissue shows when you smile. A gummy smile is not a health risk but can affect how people perceive your smile and how you feel about yourself.

For many people, having a gummy smile can affect their self-esteem. A smile should express joy and confidence. When you feel that it shows too much gum tissue, you will feel less confident or unhappy. The good thing is that there are many treatment options. Whether it is a lip movement issue, a jaw issue, or excess gum tissue, all kinds of procedures are available to help you smile better.

Causes of Gummy Smiles

Teeth and anatomy quite often affect a smile with excessive gum exposure. You may observe extra gum tissue revealed when you smile if you have an inherently more prominent jaw, a short upper lip, small teeth, and other features. Some people might experience HGF, or hereditary gingival fibromatosis, which leads to abnormal growth of the gums and adds to gummy smile problems. Hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy may cause gum tissue to be more prominent when you smile.

Your gums will become inflamed and swollen if you do not care for your oral health. This makes your gums more prominent, and you might have a gummy smile. Braces can complicate mouth care and irritate the gums, temporarily making them look inflamed and swollen.

You can also suffer from this due to altered tooth eruption or Altered Passive Eruption (APE). With this condition, the gum will cover the teeth partially and affect the smile. Having too much gum tissue can distort the shape of your teeth, making them look smaller or shorter than they are. To make your smile more attractive, you would need treatment to reshape the gum line as it is overgrown.

Certain drugs can cause gum enlargement as a side effect. Gum overgrowth has been associated with several medications, including:

• Immunosuppressants like Cyclosporin A typically used for organ transplant rejection
• Epilepsy medications like Phenytoin
• Heart medications like Verapamil, Diltiazem and Nifedipine

If you take any of these medications, talking with your doctor may prevent them from affecting your smile.

A gummy smile might not harm your health, but it can hamper the look of your smile. Knowing what is causing your gummy smile will help the treatment be more effective and get you back to smiling after treatment.

Types of Gummy Smile Treatment

A gummy smile can be treated in many ways, but the best treatment will depend on its cause. There are several ways to treat a gummy smile. Different treatment options can fix the gummy smile. Get the proper treatment if the amount of gum shows is the reason. In other cases, teeth alignment and jaw function can also be the reason. Let us explore the most common treatment options in detail.

Crown Lengthening

The crown lengthening procedure is one of the main treatments for gummy smiles. In crown lengthening, the dentist removes excess gum tissue and, in some cases, the underlying bone to expose more of your tooth. The process involves reshaping the bone and gum in a way that develops a pretty smile. Your dentist will inject a local anaesthetic during the procedure to ensure your comfort. If you are anxious about the procedure, your dentist could offer sedation. Generally, the recovery period lasts from a couple of days to two weeks, depending on the case.

Depending on the case, the recovery period lasts from a couple of days to two weeks.

Crown lengthening works well when the problem lies with the gum tissue itself. The idea behind the treatment is to have your teeth, not your gum tissue, become the highlight of your smile. If you believe excessive gum tissue is overshadowing the beauty of your teeth, this option is just right.

Crown lengthening treats excessive gingival display effectively, but it has some risks as well, namely:

• After the procedure, teeth could become sensitive because exposing more teeth makes them sensitive to temperature or pressure.
• Bleeding is controlled during the procedure, but minor postoperative hemorrhage could still occur. It can become infected and present as redness, swelling, or fever.
• Healing complications can occur, like slow healing or gingival asymmetry. When the gums heal unevenly, some patients may face gum irregularities, but further adjustments may be required.
• There could be damage to adjacent teeth or nerves in rare cases, resulting in temporary or permanent pain.

Most patients have pleasing aesthetic results. However, healing results could differ according to a person’s anatomy and aftercare. A pre-operative consultation will help you understand these risks. You can then make an informed decision about whether crown lengthening is the option for you. After the treatment, your dentist will give you instructions to adhere to strictly.

Botulinum Toxin (BT) Injection

Botox injections could be an excellent option for people looking for a less invasive solution. Botox is used to relax the muscles that raise your upper lip, reducing the gum tissue shown when you smile. This quick procedure is minimally invasive with no downtime and can be done in the office in a short visit. The results last approximately three months, thus making it the right option for someone who wants to try something temporary before going for a permanent option. It lets you preview what a lasting solution could do for you while enjoying results immediately.

Botox could be most suitable for people whose upper lip rises excessively when they smile, not those who have a lot of gum tissue to show. It uses non-invasive treatment to improve your smile’s appearance without dealing with extensive treatments. Remember that Botox is only a temporary adjustment, which is excellent for those who want to ‘test-run’ their new smile without making a permanent commitment.

Though generally safe, BT injections have some risks and side effects you should know. The most common include:

• The botulinum toxin can sometimes spread to nearby muscles and cause temporary weakness. This can lead to trouble speaking or swallowing
• You may experience mild pain and swelling at the site of the injection, which goes away after a while
• You may develop headache side effect, but this passes quickly
• Rarely, the muscle controlling your eyelid can be affected by the toxin, resulting in drooping of the eyelid or ptosis
• Some people could have an allergy to it, which can cause rash, itching, or trouble breathing
• Some patients may have little to no improvement in their gummy smile due to individual differences in muscle anatomy and their relative sensitivity to the toxin.
• Since the results of botulinum toxin injection are temporary, the doctor must repeat the treatment every three to four months. This means you will incur these costs every time and will be exposed to the toxin again.

Orthognathic Surgery (Corrective Jaw Surgery)

For more complicated problems, the doctor could recommend orthognathic surgery or corrective jaw surgery due to jaw or facial misalignment. This process moves the jaw bones to fix the teeth and makes the gums less visible. A surgeon and an orthodontist work together to perform the surgery, which is a major procedure. Usually, you will need to stay in the hospital for a couple of days, from 2 to 4 days.

It can take six to twelve weeks for a patient to heal from orthognathic surgery. You might have to wear braces for a prolonged time to help secure these changes. This option is recommended when a structural problem with the jaw causes the gummy smile. Even though it is an extensive procedure, it is a permanent solution to the problem. It changes the base of your smile.

Lip Repositioning Surgery

Another effective option is lip repositioning surgery. This procedure removes a small strip of gum tissue under your upper lip, reducing the amount it elevates when you smile. It can help bring back the balanced appearance that you may have lost over time. The surgery takes about 45 minutes and has a short recovery time of three to five days.

Lip repositioning surgery is perfect for you if you have a gummy smile due to excessive lip movement rather than the size of your gums. This procedure is more extensive than just getting injections or laser treatment and requires a short recovery period. It is efficient and has a fast healing time, so it is ideal for anyone who is looking for a faster recovery time.

Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)

TADs (temporary anchorage devices) are small devices affixed to your upper jawbone to reposition your teeth. These devices work with braces to bring teeth upward, which helps lessen the appearance of gum tissue when smiling. TADs can simply nudge your tooth in the direction you want it to move. This treatment works very well in patients with dental problems like altered tooth eruption, leading to gummy smiles.

TADs are great for those who do not just want gum recontouring but do not want surgery. The process does not hurt and happens as fast as possible. It can increase the structure of your smile in the long term by correcting excessive gum exposure.

Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections are a non-surgical alternative for treating a gummy smile, which adds volume to the upper lip. Taking on a subtle enhancement lowers the lip’s position when you smile, making those gums visible. The process is fast and has very little pain. The result lasts up to 8 months, after which more treatments will be necessary.

If you want to keep it temporary or test the effects, this treatment is perfect for you. Unlike surgical options, hyaluronic acid injection does not require much or sometimes any downtime after the procedure. Because the filler breakdown is gradual, it is possible to have another treatment later.

Despite their benefits, hyaluronic acid injections have some potential risks. Some patients could have slight swelling, bruising, or crookedness. Occasionally, allergic reactions or tissue damage occur from an unqualified professional performing the injections. Choosing an expert is important to avoid complications and achieve natural-looking outcomes.

Cost of Gummy Smile Treatment

The cost for each option will become a significant factor when picking a gummy smile treatment. This is mainly due to the out-of-pocket nature of cosmetic procedures and limited insurance coverage.

Most crown lengthening cases range from $1,000 to $4,000, depending on the complexity and number of teeth. In contrast, orthognathic surgery, which repositions the jaw and requires hospitalization, costs $20,000 to $40,000. It is a big financial decision reserved for serious cases where functioning issues cause concern. Lip repositioning surgery is a cheaper alternative, costing $500 to $5,000, giving you value for money and permanence.

If you are looking for something less invasive, temporary anchorage devices (TADs) may cost you anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000. These are often used in orthodontics to reposition teeth. Botox costs about $400 per session and provides a quick fix to relax the upper lip muscles. However, it does not last long and requires ongoing treatments as its effects only last a few months. Hyaluronic acid injections, which cost an average of $682 per vial, plump the upper lip to make less gum visible for several months.

While plenty of choices are available, your budget and personal priorities determine your options. Some may feel that a $400 Botox treatment gives them so much confidence that they do not mind going back for affordability and impact. The worth of having a gummy smile treatment depends on how much the gummy smile affects a person’s self-worth and quality of life.

Follow-Up Care After Treatment

Proper follow-up care will ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results after the gummy smile treatment. Use over-the-counter pain relievers to ease any discomfort you may feel after your treatment. Avoid working out or performing heavy lifting for at least a week after your treatment. It is important to keep a close eye on the treated area after getting a gummy smile treatment.

Good oral hygiene is equally important to prevent infections and healing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush for gentle brushing and a mouth rinse that will be prescribed. Do not floss aggressively near the area. To avoid complications, a clean mouth will help reduce bacteria growth.

You also should regularly follow up with your dentist or the surgeon who treated you. They can help in monitoring your progress and in responding to your queries. They could suggest extra treatment or changes to secure the best result. Make sure to mention anything unusual: too much swelling, too much bleeding, too much pain, fever, pus, or a funny taste in your mouth. If complications arise, you must seek out immediate care.

If you follow your instructions, you will get the best results and can achieve the smile you want with confidence and balance.

Finding a Gummy Smile Specialist Near Me

Ultimately, your smile reflects who you are. Your first impression has a powerful impact on your confidence and self-esteem. If you feel your smile is too gummy, you are certainly not alone. Treatments do exist. Just find the right solution for you to smile with confidence. Getting an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist is very important for gummy smile treatment.

At Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry, we know how to help you get the smile you have always wanted. We know that patients have different needs, and thus, we will tailor our action plan to your needs. Please reach out to us for a personalized consultation to find the right treatment for you. We want your mouth and teeth to look good so your smile can match your inner beauty and you feel confident showing it.