Gummy Smile Correction

What is a Gummy Smile?

A Gummy Smile is the excessive gingival display during smiling. Some people feel self-conscious about smiling because they believe their gums are too prominent. Though we each have our own definition of what makes a smile beautiful — including how much gum is too much — a smile will usually be perceived as “gummy” when 4 millimeters (just over an eighth of an inch) of gum tissue shows. If your smile looks gummy to you, it’s important to figure out exactly what’s causing this. Only then can the appropriate cosmetic dental or periodontal (gum) procedures be recommended to give you a more pleasing appearance of the gums and teeth.

Causes of a Gummy Smile

A high lip line is one of the most common causes of a gummy smile. Having a high lip line means your upper lip moves higher when you smile as compared with other people. An average lip line shows only the teeth in your upper jaw and the bits of gum that extend upwards between your teeth. A high lip line, in comparison, shows your upper teeth and a substantial amount of gingival tissue.

There are other causes of a gummy smile. Problems occurring when permanent teeth erupt, or come out through the gum tissue to fill the empty spot left behind by primary teeth, commonly known as “baby teeth.” Abnormal eruption of teeth can cause excessive gum tissue to develop around the newly erupted teeth, making the teeth look short even though they are the proper length.

A muscle problem may cause a gummy smile. The muscle the controls your upper lip may be hyperactive, which causes your upper lip to rise higher than normal when you smile. Improper growth and development of your upper jawbone can cause a gummy smile. An excessive bulge protruding from your upper jaw may push your gum tissue downward over your teeth.