Do you have a gummy smile?

A gummy smile is the popular, descriptive term for what dentists officially call Excessive Gingival Display.

In simple terms, it means that a disproportionate amount of gum tissue is visible when you smile, often making the teeth appear shorter than they actually are.

While there is no single, strict definition, dental professionals generally consider a smile to be "gummy" if 3–4 millimeters or more of gum tissue is showing above the upper teeth.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile is not caused by just one thing; it's a balance issue involving the gums, teeth, lips, and jaw. The underlying cause determines the best treatment.

Component Cause of Gummy Smile

1. Gums Excessive Gum Tissue (Altered Eruption): The teeth did not fully erupt (grow out) and are still partially covered by gum tissue, making the teeth look short.
2. Lips Hyperactive (Overactive) Upper Lip: The muscles that lift the upper lip are too strong or active, causing the lip to rise too high when smiling and exposing a lot of gum.
3. Teeth Small or Worn Teeth: The teeth themselves are genuinely short or have been worn down, causing the gum-to-tooth ratio to look unbalanced.
4. Jaw Vertical Maxillary Excess (VME): A vertical overgrowth of the upper jaw bone, which causes the gums and teeth to bulge downward and become excessively prominent.
5. Other Medication Side Effects: Certain medications can cause the gum tissue to overgrow (gingival hyperplasia).

How Can a Gummy Smile Be Corrected?

The treatment completely depends on the underlying cause:

For Excess Gum Tissue (Altered Eruption):

Laser or Electrosurgery Gum Contouring (Gingivectomy): A quick, minimally invasive procedure to precisely remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line, instantly making the teeth look longer.

Crown Lengthening: A surgical procedure that removes both gum tissue and sometimes a small amount of underlying bone to expose the full, natural tooth surface.

For a Hyperactive Upper Lip:

Botox Injections: A temporary, non-surgical solution where Botox is injected to relax the hyperactive muscles, preventing the upper lip from lifting too high. Results last about 3-6 months.

Lip Repositioning Surgery: A permanent surgical procedure that restricts the movement of the upper lip muscles.

For Jaw Issues or Misalignment:

Orthodontic Treatment (Braces/Invisalign): Used to intrude (push up) the teeth and sometimes correct a misaligned bite, which can reduce the gum display.

Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery: Recommended for severe cases of vertical maxillary excess, where the upper jaw bone must be surgically repositioned.

If you are concerned about a gummy smile, the first and best step is to have a comprehensive evaluation with a dentist. They can accurately diagnose the cause and recommend a personalized plan.