About Gummy Smile Gummy Smile and Treatment

Gummy Smile (Excessive Gum Appearance) is defined as the appearance of the gum on the upper teeth when we smile, which is more than the required (4mm).

There are several reasons for the appearance of a gummy smile;

  • Teeth may be too small, either genetically (congenital) or as a result of parafunction (misuse). When teeth wear down over time, the upper teeth come down and cause the gums to show more.
  • It can occur when the upper teeth are positioned further forward than the lower teeth. In both cases, as the teeth move downwards, the gums also move downwards with the teeth, making the teeth appear shorter and the gums appear longer.
  • Due to mouth breathing, certain medications or poor dental hygiene, the gums can grow too much over the teeth due to inflammation, making them more visible.
  • A hyper-mobile or hyperactive lip occurs when the muscles around the lips are too strong, which pulls the lips higher when smiling, causing the gums to show more than normal. Normally, the lip moves 6-8 mm from resting to smiling, but hyperactive lips move more.
  • Too many gums are also visible when the lip is too short.
  • One of the most common causes of Gummy Smile is that the upper jaw is longer than it should be compared to the face and the lip tissue that will cover the gums. In this case, the gum tissue becomes more visible.

The best option for the treatment of Gummy Smile, i.e. gingival smile, is determined as a result of clinical and radological examination.

Gummy Smile Treatment may include:

  • Lip Repositioning Surgery
  • Orthodontic (Wire) Treatment
  • Gingivectomy (Gingival Removal)
  • Professional Teeth Cleaning
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Muscle relaxant injections (Botox application)

Lip Positioning Surgery

In the presence of a hyperactive or hypermobile lip, the lip muscles are treated to restrict the movement of the upper lip and the lip is pulled downwards so that the gums are less visible.

Orthodontic Treatment

With orthodontic treatment, the upper teeth (with the gums) are moved upwards. Once the teeth and gums have reached the optimal position, the treatment is terminated so that the gums are less visible.

Gingivectomy-Gingival Removal

If overgrown gums are the cause of the Gummy Smile, the best treatment option may be a gingivectomy. This is a type of periodontal surgery, also known as a ‘gum lift’. In gingivectomy, excess gingival tissue is surgically removed. In order to create a symmetrical appearance in the gums after surgery, reshaping can be performed with various instruments called burs or cautery.

Professional Teeth Cleaning

Gums can become inflamed and swollen due to gum disease or certain medications. These gingival swellings can be treated with a thorough cleaning of the teeth and root surfaces. If there is gingival swelling due to the use of medication, consultation with the relevant doctor should be made and alternative medication should be used.

Jaw Surgery

In some cases where the jaw is too large, usually in the presence of more than 7 mm of visible remaining gingiva, Orthognathic Surgery can be performed. In this surgery, a bone shortening procedure is performed in the maxilla (upper jaw), making the gums less visible.