Do you have a smile that shows a lot of gums? Some would say it affects facial aesthetics negatively, while others claim it to be attractive. It is a very subjective topic, that we are going to explore today.
What causes a gummy smile?
You may have a smile that has prominent gums due to…
- The upper lip rises much higher than your gum line when smiling
- Your upper front teeth and angled too far out and the lip rides up them further than ideal
- Your upper teeth or upper jaw aren’t aligned
Do I need to fix a gummy smile?
Sometimes, prominent gums may be a symptom of an orthodontic problem that could affect your oral health. It can make eating and cleaning your teeth difficult. It could also increase the risk that they’ll become injured especially if they protrude more than ideal. The proper fit between our jaws is vital for ideal and efficient function when chewing – Adverse teeth or jaw alignment also may affect your TMJ joint.
If there is no health issue, then, no, you don’t need to change your smile. If you decide that you’d prefer to change its appearance, then there may be cosmetic options available.
How can dentists change a gummy smile?
You have several options for improving your smile, from cosmetic procedures like gum contouring, crown lengthening or other structural changes. A cosmetic dentist will examine you and recommend the best treatment based on what they see.
Gum contouring
Gum contouring is the process of removing excess gum tissue to show more teeth and sculpt a new line.
There are various ways to achieve this.
Crown lengthening
If you’re unhappy with the length of your teeth, a dentist may be able to modify them with bonding, veneers or dental crowns. These can come in different materials like porcelain for natural looking results.
Orthodontics
If your gums are more visible because your teeth protrude or your jaws are misaligned, your dentist or orthodontist might be able to correct this with braces or aligners.
Our cosmetic dentists are here to help you with their dental needs, ensuring you walk away with a healthy and glowing smile that you are ready to show off. Chat to us today about our cosmetic procedures to get you the smile you’ve always wanted.
