Finding Solutions: What Options Work Best for Gummy Smiles in Gainesville, FL?

A gummy smile is a common dental concern that can make you feel uncomfortable when you smile. Gummy smiles occur when your upper lip lifts too far above your gum line which causes a lot of your gums to show when you smile. While some people consider gummy smiles normal, those who have them don't always feel the same way.

This blog post takes a closer look at gummy smiles to help you understand the condition and the available treatment options.

Causes of Gummy Smiles

Many different causes of gummy smiles exist. Some have to do with genetics, while others may have environmental triggers.

Here's a list of the most common causes of gummy smiles:

• Hyperactive lip: If your upper lip muscles are overactive, they can cause your upper lip to rise too high when you smile. This problem occurs when the muscles around your lips are too strong, which can cause your upper lip to stretch farther than usual.
• Short upper lip: If your upper lip is shorter than usual, it can expose more of the gums when you smile.
• Excessive gingival tissue: Some people have too much dental tissue, which can cause their gums to look bigger and cover more teeth. So when these people smile, they tend to show more of their gums than teeth.
• Teeth development: If your teeth come in crooked or form a bad bite, they can expose excessive gum tissue, which becomes more prevalent when you smile.

Many of these causes are genetic, so you can't do much to avoid them. However, many solutions are available to help reduce the appearance of a gummy smile.

Treatment Options to Consider

Treatment options for gummy smiles depend on the severity of the issue and the specific cause. As such, some options may be more suitable than others. But in general, you can expect to either go the non-surgical or surgical route.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Non-surgical treatments are typically the first line of defense against excessive gingival tissue. These treatments can help reduce the appearance of a gummy smile with techniques that aim to reshape your gum line and straighten your teeth.

• Braces and Invisalign: This treatment option works for people whose gummy smiles result from crooked teeth. Braces or Invisalign can straighten your teeth and adjust their alignment to show less gum tissue when you smile.
• Root planing and scaling: This procedure is meant to treat periodontal disease but can also work for gummy smiles. Here, your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from deep within the gum pockets, which slowly reshapes the gum line. Your teeth will appear longer with a more even gum line.

These two treatments are a great first step in the right direction if your gummy smile is mild or moderate.

Surgical Treatments

In cases of severe gummy smiles, surgical treatment may be necessary. Dentists reserve this approach for extreme cases, like when a person's upper lip covers the entire gum line. These treatments may include:

• Lip repositioning: This technique involves the use of surgical thread or other materials to reposition the lip and make it appear shorter. This treatment helps reduce the appearance of a gummy smile due to an overactive upper lip. The lip won't rise high enough to expose too much gum tissue.
• Crown lengthening: This procedure works best for people whose gummy smiles result from excessive dental tissue. Here, your dentist uses a special tool to remove excess gingival tissue and make the teeth appear longer. The procedure also helps reshape your gum line for a more even appearance.

Surgical treatments like these can be quite invasive and may require additional recovery time and follow-up visits with the dentist. But they can provide lasting results for a severe gummy smile.

You don't have to put up with a gummy smile any longer. Consult us at Cruz Davis Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Gainesville, FL, to learn about the best solution for your needs. With the proper treatment, you can have a beautiful smile that you'll be proud to show off.