When some people smile, an inordinate amount of gum tissue shows above their upper teeth. Take charge of your gummy smile with The Dental Boutique.

What Is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile is, to call it by its technical name, excessive gingival display. This is when too much gum tissue can be seen above the top teeth when you smile, to point that the gums are highly visible in each smile.

Types of Gummy Smiles

Gummy smiles fit into one of four types:

• Anterior gummy smiles: Too much gum showing above the front top teeth (the most visible teeth of the mouth).
• Posterior gummy smiles: Too much gum showing above the back top teeth (upper jaw, towards the back of the mouth).
• Mixed gummy smiles: A mix of anterior and posterior gummy smiles.
• Asymmetric gummy smiles: Too much gum showing on just one side of the mouth.

Causes of Gummy Smiles

Some people are born with a gummy smile, due to genetic factors. It may be written into your genes that some of your teeth are smaller than the others, that you have a lot of gum tissue, or a short upper lip. This lopsidedness can create a gummy smile.

Other people develop their gummy smiles as their teeth grow. If adult teeth don’t emerge cleanly and properly from the jaws during childhood, this can lead to the effect of teeth appearing too short or staying partially covered by the gum tissue.

Fix Gummy Smiles with Cosmetic Dentistry

Clear Aligners or Braces

Clear aligners, commonly known by their brand name of Invisalign, and braces are orthodontic treatments that move the teeth into the correct alignment. By fixing your bite, orthodontics also reduce the amount of gum tissue visible in a smile.

Dental Crown Lengthening

The crowns of one or more teeth can be lengthened, in a dental treatment that reshapes the gum tissue at the same time. This reduces the mileage of the gums so your smile is less gummy. Dental crown lengthening is also a suitable treatment if the tooth itself is damaged, so you can fix two birds with one stone.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are thin outer shells that fit over a tooth. They make the tooth look better in shape or colour, especially if the tooth has been chipped or otherwise damaged. Veneer fitting involves recontouring of the gum tissue, to give you a less gummy smile.

Book a consultation at our private dental clinic in the Gold Coast

At The Dental Boutique, we use the latest technology in cosmetic dentistry to help our clients achieve their dental goals, whether that be for cosmetic purposes, functionality, or both. Our skilled private cosmetic dentists will work with you to uncover your needs and ensure that you leave with a smile that fills you with confidence.

If you’d like to know more about the complete range of cosmetic dentistry solutions at the Dental Boutique, contact us at [email protected] to make an appointment.