How to Correct a Gummy Smile?

The so-called gingival smile should be considered more as an aesthetic problem than a pathological one, and it can be defined as excessive gingival display in a smile that shows an excessive amount of gum under the upper lip.

However, this definition has a wide range of relativity, since it is a problem of personal appreciation. However, the studies that have been carried out have determined a general criteria, so the concept of a gummy smile is specified, on average, when the height of the gum that is displayed exceeds 4 mm.

A gummy smile can be corrected, but the treatment will depend on the factors that cause it. For example, if the teeth are shorter than normal, (either because they have been worn out excessively or because the gum covers them to an excessive extent), the excess of gum tissue can be surgically removed, making the necessary shape that increases the extension of the dental crown.

On the other hand, other problems such as teeth eruption or prominent teeth can be corrected by orthodontics and, if teeth have been excessively worn, they can be rebuilt with crowns or dental veneers.

If the problem is that the patient’s jaw is too long, the solution will be orthognathic surgery, which corrects its position by elevating it, so that the gum surface that is exposed when smiling is reduced.

Finally, It should be stated that there may be a convergence of several of these causal factors, therefore, to correct gummy smile, it will be necessary for your Glendale dentist to apply a combination of all the possible treatments described above.

For further information about gummy smile and the treatments available for you at our Glendale Practice, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Aghajanian by calling (818) 545-8923.