How Do You Fix a Gummy Smile?

What is a gummy smile? The formal title in the dental industry is excessive gingival display, but gummy smile paints a quicker picture. This is a condition that when you smile you see too much gum tissue relative to your teeth. Experts predict that 14% of women and 7% of men today in the United States have this condition. Other reports find 10% to 29% of the population have this excessive gum display. To be even more specific, the quantifiable measurement is 2 millimeters. When you have more than this amount exposed in your smile you have a gummy smile.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Here are some common causes for a gummy smile. The first and foremost is simply your genetics. A second cause is that if the teeth erupted improperly and therefore remain covered by excessive gum tissue. It might be that the upper lip is too short resulting in a gummy smile. Staying with the lip, if it normal when the face is at rest but hyperactive during a smile and lifts too high it will yield these results. If the gums are long and enlarged the industry calls that gingival hypertrophy. The muscles in our face cause our lips to retract about 6-8 mm from the resting position. So, any of the above causes can create a gummy smile

What Avenues are there to Fix a Gummy Smile

The gums, the teeth, the lips, and the jaws are the pieces of the puzzle that result in smile aesthetics. One piece out of place and you lose the balance of the smile. The most common procedure to correct a gummy smile is that of crown lengthening. The dentist can remove and reshape the excessive gum tissue to result in showing more of the tooth. The gum contouring or gum leveling process heals quickly and just like that you have your teeth and gums in acceptable proportions. You can have your lip repositioned or you can receive Botox to reduce the muscle pulling the upper lip. Sometimes orthodontics can be used to shift the bite position. Veneers or crowns can be introduced to make the teeth look longer. On a rare occasion it might involve surgery involving the jaw and the position of the jaw. The solution is unique to the cause and your particular set of circumstance.

The Benefits of Correcting your Gummy Smile

Even though your mouth and smile are a small part or your overall anatomy they are such an import player. Your smile sets the foundation for your self-confidence and your self-esteem. Whether it be in personal circles or a professional environment, your smile opens doors and cements relationships. By going through the simple procedure to correct your gummy smile you will find your self-awareness change for the better. The visual symmetry results in an attractive and healthy smile. A lot of research has been completed on the value of a smile and the ensuing benefits. Do not take your smile lightly. It can be a game changer.

More on Gummy Smiles : Gummy Smile Treatments