There are many causes of gummy smile, including teeth that didn’t erupt correctly, hyperactive upper lip muscles, and improper jaw development [1]. The lips, facial muscles, teeth, and gum tissue all play a role in gummy smile, although the underlying cause of all these factors is typically genetic.

The treatment for gummy smile will depend on what’s causing it as determined by your dentist. What are some of the treatment options for this condition?

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment can help remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gumline to improve the appearance of your smile. Laster treatment is comfortable and ideal for patients who may have anxiety about visiting the dentist.

Using laser therapy for gummy smile is a great option for patients who don’t want to undergo traditional surgery to fix their smile [2]. By using a laser, recovery time tends to be much faster and the patient experiences less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort.

Your dentist may suggest laser therapy for your gummy smile if the cause is attributed to too much gum tissue covering the teeth as opposed to an additional cause such as jaw or upper lip positioning.

Surgical Options

For many patients with gummy smile, surgical options can help correct the condition as effectively as possible.

Periodontal surgery for gummy smile—also called a gingivectomy—involves removing excess gum tissue and reshaping the gumline. Your dentist may suggest a crown lengthening procedure which will expose more healthy tooth below the gumline, if this is possible.

If your gummy smile is found to be caused by hyperactive upper lip muscles, reconstructive surgery can help. During this procedure, your dentist will correct the upper lip’s position so that it doesn’t expose as much gum tissue when smiling [3].

If your jaw is found to be the cause of your gummy smile, you’ll likely need an oral surgeon to correct the position of your jaw. While this form of treatment will be the most intensive, it can result in significant improvement and will permanently correct your gummy smile.

Additional Treatments to Consider

Your dentist may suggest other forms of treatment for your gummy smile, including:

• Orthodontics.Braces or Invisalign can correct your bite to make gum tissue less visible.
  Orthodontics provide a simple, temporary, and painless treatment option for gummy
  smile if your bite is found to be the issue.
• Veneers.For people who have naturally short teeth or teeth that are worn down from
  bruxism (teeth grinding), dental veneers can make the teeth appear longer and function
  as a permanent form of treatment for gummy smile.
• Botox.Botox injections can help improve the movement of the upper lip without
  surgery; however, this is a temporary treatment that will need to be repeated every few
  months.

Regardless of what the cause of your gummy smile is, there is treatment. By visiting your dentist, you can get a comprehensive exam to determine what’s causing your gummy smile and what treatments are available to you to permanently transform your teeth and gums!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239760/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672859/
3. https://www.jdao-journal.org/articles/odfen/pdf/2015/01/odfen2015181p102.pdf

The post How Can Dentists Treat a “Gummy” Smile? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Repair Gum Tissue

Depending on how severe your bruxism is and how long it’s been going on, your gum tissue may have been affected. Bruxism can often cause inflammation of the gums or even gum recession. This means your gums may need to be healed first or you may need to have what’s called a crown lengthening to prepare your affected teeth for the restoration process.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are an effective restoration choice for people who have severe damage from their bruxism. Crowns act as a cap for your tooth to protect your tooth’s root and repair your smile. Dental crowns can repair any existing damage but also are adept at preventing future damage. If your dentist suggests that dental crowns would be your best choice, you may need a crown lengthening in order to fit the crown. When it comes to dental crowns, you have several choices for the material. From traditional gold to porcelain fused to metal to all ceramic crowns, you and your dentist can decide what your best fit would be.

Veneers

Since bruxism can affect the appearance of your front teeth, veneers could be your best choice to restore your worn down pearly whites. For instance, bruxism tends to make your entire row of top and bottom teeth look uniform. Veneers can restore your smile to its natural appearance and help rebuild its functionality as well. Resin or porcelain veneers work well for visible damage on the front teeth to improve your smile.

Stopping Bruxism

In order to complete the restoration work on your smile, you’ll need to stop your bruxism before it continues to damage your restored teeth. This may include wearing a mouthguard at night, which should be custom made by your dentist to properly protect your smile. You may also need to have your bite corrected, as patients with misaligned bites can be more likely to grind their teeth.

Whatever your unique solution will be, your dentist can help you combat your bruxism so you can enjoy your beautiful smile to the fullest! It’s important not to wait to get help when it comes to bruxism. The longer you wait, the more damage you can incur from your habit. Minor damage will require less restorative work than severe damage! It’s also important to find a dentist who’s experienced in restoring smiles that are damaged from bruxism, as you may need some or all of your teeth rebuilt. Seek help today to restore your teeth from bruxism!

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