Gummy Smiles

Do You Have a Gummy Smile?

If you smile and see more of your gums than you would like to, it is often referred to as a gummy smile. For many, the appearance of a gummy smile may have left them feeling hopeless. Luckily, this isn’t the case. Displaying more gum tissue than you like is correctable and treatable. In fact, it probably happens more often than you are aware.

What Makes A Gummy Smile – “Gummy”?

This question is really subjective and what may seem “gummy” to one person may not seem“gummy” to another. Some have defined a gummy smile as one that shows more than an eighth of an inch of gum tissue when smiling. There are some individuals who are completely happy with showing a little gum tissue, while others may not be as comfortable. If the excess gumminess is affecting your quality of life, then you may want to consider seeing a cosmetic dentist to correct this issue.

How Does A Gummy Smile Happen?

There are several factors to consider when evaluating a gummy smile. The first is the actual size of your teeth. If your teeth are proportionately small, this could be the cause for showing more gum tissue. Another thing to consider is the shape, position and contour of your teeth. Another factor that many do not think about is the musculature of the lips and cheeks which has a significant affect on the amount of teeth and tissue that is displayed when talking, laughing and smiling.

How Is A Gummy Smile Treated?

As previously mentioned, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to treating a gummy smile. Some may opt to deal with the positioning of the lip, while some may opt to deal with the actual gums themselves.

To determine the best method of treatment for you, contact us today to discuss your individual situation. To view Dr. Oppenheim’s before and after Smile Gallery click here.