Gummy smile: what it is, causes and treatments

Having straight teeth is sometimes not enough to show them off with confidence. Excessive gums on display can make the sufferer feel uncomfortable or insecure, causing them to not want to show off their smile. This disorder is known as a gummy smile or excessive gingival display and, although many people have it, few know that it can be corrected.

In this article we will explain in detail what a gummy smile is, the different types that exist and the causes that can lead to it. You will also learn about the various treatments available to fix it and how Impress can help you show off your teeth with pride.

What is a gummy smile?

A gummy smile, also known as gummy teeth or excessive gingival display, is a condition that occurs in people who have a disproportion between the gums and teeth. For those with a gummy smile, there is an excessive amount of gums on display when the teeth are shown, making the teeth appear too small.

It is purely aesthetic and, therefore, subjective, but a patient is generally considered to have gummy teeth when more than two millimetres of gums are shown when smiling.

Types of gummy smile

Now that you know what a gummy smile is, we will discuss the different types that exist according to how much of the gum is visible and where it occurs.

Types of gummy smile according to the amount of visible gum tissue

Depending on the amount of gingival tissue visible when smiling, we can distinguish between the three types of gummy teeth:

Mild gummy smile

A mild excessive gingival display occurs in people who show two to four millimetres of gums. The visible gum tissue is not excessive, so it does not normally alter the aesthetics of the smile.

Moderate gummy smile

This type of gummy smile occurs when between four and six millimetres of gum tissue are on display when smiling.

Severe gummy smile

Patients who display more than six millimetres of gingival tissue when smiling have a severe gummy smile. This overexposure of the gums is the type that most alters the aesthetics of the smile.

Types of gummy smile depending on where it occurs

We can also classify types of gummy smile according to the part of the mouth where the gum is most exposed.

Anterior gummy smile

An anterior gummy smile occurs when the gums are displayed excessively over the incisors and canines.

Posterior gummy smile

A posterior gummy smile occurs when the gums that are on show start from the first premolar heading towards the back.

Mixed gummy smile

A mixed gummy smile is when the gums at the front and back of the mouth are on display.

Gummy smile causes

The causes of a gummy smile can vary and can be affected by different factors. The most common are listed below:

• Altered passive eruption: Problems occur during the eruption of the teeth and the dental crown is covered by the gums. When this is the cause of a gummy smile, the teeth are short and square.
• Vertical maxillary excess: This skeletal problem is found in patients with vertical overgrowth of the upper jaw. Generally, it also causes malocclusion problems.
  
• Enlarged gums: Plaque build-up and certain drugs can cause gum enlargement.
  
• Short or hypermobile upper lip: This occurs in cases where the upper lip is short or moves excessively upwards, exposing the gums.
  
• Low dental positioning: This is when there is an overeruption of the upper incisors because they are not in contact with the lower incisors.
  

Amongst the most common causes of a gummy smile, genetics plays an important role. If you are wondering whether it is hereditary, the answer is that it is a combination of different factors, but yes, genetics are fundamental.

Gummy smile treatments: how to get rid of it

Having discussed the causes of a gummy smile, there are different treatments for correction depending on the origin of the problem. An accurate diagnosis is important in order to determine how to fix and get rid of a gummy smile appropriately for each case.

Lip filler for gummy smile correction

A gummy smile caused by a short or hypermobile upper lip can be fixed with lip filler. Lip fillers for gummy smiles camouflage excess gum exposure, control lip movements and prevent the lip from pulling up too much when smiling.

Surgery to get rid of a gummy smile

Orthognathic surgery is the most complex gummy smile correction treatment. This surgery is used in cases of excessive gingival display caused by vertical maxillary excess. With this procedure, cuts are made into the bones to move the maxilla vertically upwards.

Myotomy to fix a gummy smile

Myotomy is a treatment to fix a gummy smile that consists of weakening the muscle that raises the upper lip. This muscle is located between the lip and the gum, and by weakening it, it reduces lip elevation. This covers the gum more, reducing the overall appearance of excessive gingival display.

Botox for gummy smile correction

Botox is another treatment for gummy smiles in which the origin of the problem is neither in the bones nor the teeth. Botox is used in cases of gummy smiles caused by a hypermobile or short lip. Botox helps the lip to exert less force, therefore resulting in less gum being visible.

Gum contouring and reshaping

For cases of gummy smile caused by altered passive eruption, gum contouring and reshaping are the solution. Gum contouring is a surgical periodontal procedure that trims the gum to make the adjacent teeth more visible, whilst gum reshaping is a complementary procedure for purely aesthetic purposes. In the latter, the aim is to outline the gum contour around the tooth.

Do braces fix a gummy smile? Orthodontic treatment for gummy teeth

In order to fix a gummy smile caused by low dental positioning, the solution is braces or other orthodontic treatments. Orthodontics allows the teeth to be brought into the correct position, thus fixing the excessive gingival display.

Care for and protect your teeth with Impress

If you would like to undergo gummy smile correction, Impress can help. We offer orthodontic treatments, as well as procedures such as gum contouring and reshaping, amongst others, that could help you to improve the appearance of your gummy teeth. Find out more about all the services we offer at your nearest Impress clinic.

If you are interested in finding out how Impress can help you get rid of your gummy smile, visit your nearest Impress clinic and meet the team of professionals who would supervise your treatment. You can also book an appointment online, by phone on +44 20 3808 1072, or via WhatsApp.