What Can be Done About a Gummy Smile?

John Phelps, DDS
Aug 22, 2017 · 5 min read

Think of the word “smile” and the most likely image is teeth. This makes sense. Your teeth are, after all, the most obvious thing about your smile. However, your gums play a role in the appearance of your smile as well — and can even impact tooth size and shape, making it look as though cosmetic imperfections are stemming from your pearly whites.

Excessive gum tissue, also known as a gummy smile, is unbecoming. Your gums frame your teeth and, when smiling, should be unobtrusive and easy to ignore. When gums are highly visible, the quality of your entire smile is impacted, and this can negatively affect self-esteem, confidence, and comfort in your appearance.

How Can I Tell if I Have a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile may simply look like bulky or excessive gum tissue is present. Other indications of too much gum tissue include:

· A protruding upper jaw

· Stunted tooth growth

· Misshapen teeth

· A pulled up upper lip

The line of your smile should primarily reveal teeth. While some gum tissue will be present when you smile big, it should be mostly hidden behind lips under normal circumstances. If you have a gummy smile, your gums will be visible even when you’re smiling regularly. They may even be the most obvious thing about your smile. When this causes discomfort, it’s time to seek treatment that can reduce gum tissue and restore an even and symmetrical look to your smile.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

In many cases, excessive gum tissue is genetic. If you have family members with gummy smiles, it is more likely that your smile will also be obscured by gum tissue. The condition may also be caused by an unusual eruption of the teeth or issues that interfere with proper jawbone development.

An overactive upper lip muscle may also expose gum tissue when you smile. While slightly different than too much gum tissue, an overactive upper lip muscle can expose the gums and produce the look of a gummy smile.

The cause of your gummy smile will determine which course of treatment your cosmetic dentist chooses. It is best to work with an experienced cosmetic dentist who offers a range of gummy smile treatment options and can customize yours to address your specific concerns.

How is a Gummy Smile Treated?

The old-fashioned way of addressing excessive gum tissue involved using metal instruments to trim and sculpt the gums for a more contoured look. Modern gum recontouring is accomplished with a soft tissue laser that gently reshapes the gums without cutting, helping reduce discomfort, recovery time, and risks.

Lasers cauterize as they remove gummy tissue, helping eliminate risks of infection. This technique is also exceptionally precise, giving your dentist optimal control over how much tissue is removed and enabling your dentist to produce an ideally contoured gum line.

Safer, faster, and more effective than other surgical options, laser gum recontouring is an exciting advancement in cosmetic dentistry technology that gives your dentist complete control over your outcome. However, it is still very important that you work with an experienced and dedicated cosmetic dentist who will take all steps to protect your teeth and gums from damage, work to guarantee your comfort, and commit to producing the most pleasing results.

What if Gum Recontouring Sounds Uncomfortable to Me?

Laser gum recontouring is not painful, but that does not mean that everyone will feel completely comfortable undergoing the procedure. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile but feel nervous about gum recontouring, talk to your dentist about your sedation options.

Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way to achieve absolute relaxation prior to and during your gum recontouring treatment. Depending on your level of anxiety, your dentist may recommend:

· Conscious oral sedation

· Nitrous oxide sedation

IV sedation is an option offered by some dentists, but this type of dental sedation is somewhat extreme for gum recontouring. Deep sedation, also known as sleep dentistry, comes with all of the risks general anesthesia poses. While severe complications with anesthesia are rare, the risk is entirely unnecessary for this procedure.

In addition to addressing anxiety and dental phobia, sedation dentistry is a wonderful solution for patients who:

· Do not respond well to local anesthesia

· Have a fear or dislike of needles

· Gag easily

· Have sensitive teeth

· Are suffering from a neuromuscular disorder like TMJ

The best way to learn if you are a good candidate for sedation dentistry is through a one-on-one consultation with an experienced sedation dentist. During this visit, your dentist can discuss your options for sedation and help you choose the one most suitable for your concerns.

Can Gum Recontouring be Combined With Other Procedures?

Gum recontouring alone can reduce lip protrusion, lessen the visibility of gum tissue when you smile, and improve the appearance of your teeth. It can also be combined with other cosmetic dentistry procedures for a complete smile makeover.

If your teeth have become dingy or stained, tooth whitening may be a perfect complement to gum recontouring. Porcelain veneers or dental bonding can be used to address both minor trauma and irregular tooth shapes/sizes. Dental crowns can protect severely damaged teeth or be used in conjunction with a bridge or implant to replace teeth that have been lost. There are many possible combinations. The best way to learn which is best for you is by working with a trusted cosmetic dentist.

About Dr. John Phelps

Dr. John Phelps is a prosthodontist serving Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, and surrounding areas of Indiana. Offering a complete range of general, restorative, and cosmetic services, Dr. Phelps provides CEREC crowns, advanced tooth whitening, gum recontouring, and many other options with or without sedation.

Approaching 25 years in practice, Dr. Phelps is a trusted and experienced dentist who takes care to provide each patient with personal attention, individualized services, and the highest quality customer care.

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John Phelps, DDS

Written by

Dr. Phelps is an experienced prosthodontist and dentist with a full-service dental practice in Indianapolis

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