Are you feeling like the ‘before’ picture in a ‘gummy smile before and after’ photoshoot? Thankfully, there are solutions out there that can help you say goodbye to gummy teeth. Gum smile treatment is available with Botulinum toxin (Botox), lasers, and surgery, and it can be more affordable and accessible than you might think. With the right aesthetic doctor, your brand new smile is within reach.
What is gummy smile correction?
Let’s start by defining a gummy smile, which doctors call excessive gingival display. It occurs when you smile, and there is too much gum tissue showing above your top teeth. It can be caused by abnormal jaw development, a misaligned bite, muscular issues, tooth eruption problems, or a hyperactive upper lip.
Many people who have gummy teeth love the way they look, and we couldn’t agree more. Nothing looks better than self-confidence! However, for some people, a showing too much of their gums when they smile negatively impacts their self-esteem. In that case, gum smile treatment is a great option.
Different ways to fix big gums
Depending on the cause of a person’s big gums, dental treatment might be necessary to solve the underlying issue. However, in many cases, aesthetic treatment can help. Here are some of the most common ways to fix the issue
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox)
Botox for the gums works by temporarily paralysing the muscles that raise your upper lip. That way, you won’t expose as much of your gums, and your smile will be less gummy. This is a great way to test out gummy smile treatment, because the results last around four months.
- Lip fillers or lip repositioning surgery
Some people suffer from a ‘hyperactive’ upper lip, which means short or thin. If you have thin lips, more of your gums are exposed when you smile. Lip fillers or lip repositioning surgery can fix this issue.
- Orthodontic treatments
If you have a mild gummy appearance, it might be caused by a misaligned bite or simple jaw issues. In these cases, orthodontic appliances can be the solution, as correcting your bite with braces or Invisalign can also minimise the look of your gums.
- Veneers or crowns
Maybe you feel like your upper teeth are too short or ‘stubby?’ If so, they’ll show more of your gum tissue while you talk or smile. Your teeth might be short due to wear or damage, or it might just be your genetics. Veneers and crowns restore your teeth and make them a nicer, longer shape that balances your gums.
- Gingivectomy
Maybe you have ‘too much’ gum tissue, which is causing your smile to look too gummy. If so, a gingivectomy (gum tissue removal) will get rid of some of the excess, and the remainder can be sculpted to show more of your teeth and less gum.
- Laser gum contouring
Aesthetic doctors and dentists can use lasers to remove extra gum tissue, which is a good alternative to invasive surgery.
Correcting the gums with Botox
Let’s talk a little bit more about using Botox to reduce the look of you gums when you smile.
The best way to contour the gum line is with Botox, which offers a lot of precision and is a far less invasive treatment than surgical options.
Your doctor will inject a local anaesthetic and then a few small jabs of the medicine just above the gum line, where three muscles intersect. This is called the Yonsei Point. It takes less than an hour, lasts around four months, and often results in the desired gumline. Soon, you’ll look like the “after” in a gummy smile before and after photoshoot!