FACTS ABOUT GUMMY SMILES AND ORAL HEALTH
A gummy smile shows too much gum above the teeth. Dentists call it excessive gingival display or gingival smile, and their definition is subjective, based mainly on the person’s perception of his/her own smile. While some people are not conscious about their gummy smile, others perceive it as not very appealing.
Studies have tried to find the ideal amount of gum display. Smiles that show 3mm or more of the gums are considered less attractive. The same studies noted that it affects more women (14%) than men (7%).
Gummy smiles are not a disease and are compatible with oral health. The only concerns regarding this condition are cosmetics and bite issues. The good news is, gummy smiles can be changed and bite issues can be corrected.
WHAT CAUSES A GUMMY SMILE?
The factors involved in the aesthetic aspects of a smile are the teeth, the lips, the jaws, the gums and the bite. The most common causes for gummy smiles are presented bellow.
- Short teeth. This can be due to incomplete eruption, leading to partial coverage of the teeth by the gums, tooth wear and genetics
- Short upper lips
- Upper lip that lifts too high while smiling, exposing a wide band of gum
- Enlarged gums that look thick and bulky (called gingival hypertrophy)
- Overgrowth of the upper jaw can make gum tissues bulge out (called vertical maxillary excess)
- Improper bite
IMPROPER BITE RELATED TO GUMMY SMILE AND ORAL HEALTH
Certain bite issues can lead to an abnormal development of the jaws and/or altered position of the teeth. In some instances, this manifests as an excessive display of gums. In this case, the bite requires correction to ensure long lasting oral and general health. A bad bite can disturb not only oral health, but can also cause trouble out of the mouth, including problems in the ears, eyes, head, neck, shoulders, back and even hips.
TREATMENT FOR GUMMY SMILES
There are several treatment options for gummy smiles, depending on what is causing it. If there is excess of gum tissue, the periodontist can perform gingivectomy to remove part of the excessive tissues and provide a new contour to the gum edges. If the teeth are not completely erupted, a crown-lengthening surgery can be performed to expose more of the teeth.
Crowns and dental veneers can also be an option to improve the length of short teeth and get a more balanced proportion between teeth and gums. Lastly, Botox can be used to limit the movement of the upper lip. However, the results are temporary and the treatment needs to be repeated at least twice a year.
ORTHODONTICS TO CORRECT BITE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH GUMMY SMILES
When the primary cause for a gummy smile is related to the jaws and the positon of the teeth, orthodontic treatment can correct those problems, so the gums look less bulging. This option is not invasive and provide many long-term benefits regarding both cosmetics and health.
Braces or clear aligner therapy are the options for orthodontic treatment, though the second is definitely more popular among adults. The reason behind it is the comfort and convenience provided by the clear aligners, which are fabricated from plastic through high technology computer programs. The aligners are not very noticeable and can be removed, without interfering with daily activities.
If you are not happy with your smile and not sure about the balance of your bite, get a consultation with your orthodontist today.