A Gummy Smile is where there is a disproportionate amount of gum tissue showing compared with actual tooth structure when a patient smiles. The pink-white balance tends to show more than ideal amounts of pink tissue and the teeth are usually short in appearance. This excess gum tissue tends to detract away from an otherwise radiant smile.
Using the principles of smile design and careful planning, gums can be easily recountoured using a laser. The procedure is called a Gum Lift or a Gingivectomy. It is simple, quick and painless. Benefits of this simple procedure are that the amount of gum showing can be greatly minimized and at the same time we can lengthen the short looking teeth, thus achieving a beautiful result.
Other ways to treat a gummy smile include:
- Orthodontics
- Botulinum Toxin Type-A treatment – allows the lip to drop down over the gums
- Jaw Sugery – in severe cases
