Did you know that your gums, just like your teeth, may have an impact on the appearance of your smile? While many individuals focus only on changing their teeth to improve the appearance of their smile, changing your gums may occasionally make a significant difference.

When you smile, more of your gum tissue will be visible if you have a gummy grin. According to one study, a gummy grin is defined as having 3.0 mm or more of gingival tissue visible while smiling. We’ve had some patients who believe this might be a permanent thing at our emergency dental services here in Edmonton, so we’re here to clarify with an article.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

There are several reasons for a gummy grin. However, the most prevalent ones are:

  • Teeth that seem short due to insufficient eruption and remain partially covered by gum tissue
  • Teeth that are too tiny in contrast to the gums as a result of heredity or wear
  • Naturally short upper lip
  • A hyperactive upper lip that is average in length while the face is resting but rises too high while smiling, revealing a large amount of gum tissue.
  • Gingival hypertrophy refers to lengthy or enlarged gums.
  • Vertical maxillary excess is an overgrowth of the top jaw that causes the gums to protrude out.

You may note that the causes are all connected to the teeth, lips, jaws, or gums, which are the primary components that determine the aesthetics of your smile. It’s all about proportion and placement, and if one piece of the grin jigsaw is wrong, the whole thing may fall apart. Unfortunately, in most cases, the gummy grin is hereditary. Therefore there is little you can do to avoid it.

How to Fix a Gummy Smile

There are several different options for fixing a gummy grin. First, you should see your dentist and discuss your current medicines and medical history to see whether any of these things is causing your gummy grin. They may also suggest dental cleanings and better dental hygiene habits, especially if your gummy grin looks to be the result of poor oral hygiene.

If a structural issue causes your gummy smile, your dentist may prescribe one of the following procedures:

1. Gingivectomy

A gingivectomy, also known as gum contouring surgery, removes extra gum tissue with a dental laser or knife. Following that, the excess tissue will be sculpted to enhance the form of your gums. To keep you comfortable, gingivectomies are performed in the office using local anesthetics.

2. Frenectomy of the labial region

The connective tissue underneath your top lip is removed during a labial frenectomy to prevent your upper lip from being raised too high. Labial frenectomies are typically suggested in situations when too much connective tissue is tugging on the top lip, causing a gummy grin. They are also done in the office using local anesthetics to make you comfortable.

3. Botox injections

In rare situations, Botox can be injected into the upper lip to paralyze and relax the elevator muscles that cause a gummy grin. Botox is effective when the appearance of a gummy grin is accentuated by an upper lip that is pushed too far up. However, unlike other treatments, Botox is not permanent and must be repeated every 3-4 months to maintain effects.

Conclusion

While the reason for your gummy grin influences the type of therapy appropriate, other variables such as personal taste, cost, and the severity of your gummy grin can also impact your selection. As a result, it is essential to speak with an expert dentist who can correctly lead you. Here at Edmonton Smiles, we can help you figure out the best solution for your dental problems. Gummy smile aside, we offer one of the best teeth cleaning and teeth whitening services in Edmonton! Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Posted in Dental News & Advice