We all want a smile that looks beautiful and makes us confident in every place. But, some people naturally have deformed teeth that can make their smile look a little odd. One common smile that many people have is a gummy smile. In this kind of smile, there is an excessive display of the gum tissue when a person smiles. It can even detract from their overall appearance. Let’s find out more about it and how to fix it with the professional dentists in Geelong West Bright Smiles Dental.
What is a Gummy Smile?
When you smile, and too much gum tissue is visible above your upper teeth, it is a condition known as excessive gingival display or a “gummy smile.” This kind of smile makes the teeth appear smaller than they actually are. Some significant causes behind this dental situation include genetic predispositions, excessive gum tissue development, tense upper lip muscles, and inappropriate tooth eruption.
Besides, a gummy smile can lower confidence. If a person has this condition, he/she can get a more balanced and aesthetically beautiful smile with different treatments. Some examples of the effective dental procedure for a gummy smile include laser gum contouring, orthodontics, and surgery. The expert dentists and doctors in Geelong West Bright Smiles Dental can help you with the condition of your gummy smile.
Quick Look at Causes of a Gummy Smile
- Genetics: The first cause can be the genetics of the person. Like other physical traits that a person gets from parents, a gummy smile can also be inherited.
- Hyperactive Upper Lip: If a person has an upper lip with more movement than average when they smile, it can reveal their gum line more. It is a condition that is called hyperactive upper lip.
- Excessive Gum Tissue Growth: Another factor that can be a reason behind the gummy smile is excessive growth of the gum tissue. It can be due to some medications or any oral health issue.
- Tooth Eruption Issues: There are some people who face issues with their teeth when they do not emerge fully from the gums. It is called delayed passive eruption. Thus, it can lead to a gummy smile.
- Jaw Development: The next reason that many people encounter is the overdevelopment of the upper jaw. It can cause your gums to extend excessively and lead to a gummy smile.
Common Options for a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile negatively impacts one’s smile and may cause one to lack confidence. The following are some common dental procedures to fix a gummy smile:
Gummy smiles can be corrected by using an orthodontic treatment. A person can get braces or transparent aligners like Invisalign. The reasons behind the gummy smile could be incorrect tooth eruption or alignment problems. Orthodontics, by gradually shifting teeth into their proper locations, may decrease the level of gum tissue visible when smiling. This method is especially useful for younger people or those who have other dental alignment issues. If you want immediate help, you can contact the emergency dentist at Geelong West Bright Smiles Dental.
Laser Gum Contouring
Another treatment is laser gum contouring. It is also known as gingivectomy, which is a minimally invasive operation and involves the removal and reshaping of extra gum tissue using a dental laser. This therapy is best suited for those who have mild to moderate gummy smiles produced by extra gum tissue. The laser not only eliminates unnecessary tissue but also closes the area. It will allow speedier healing and minimise the chance of infection. The process is quite short, with little discomfort or delay. A dentist in Geelong VIC can best guide you through the overall procedure.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is also a surgical technique that removes the gum tissue. This treatment is appropriate for individuals who have a large quantity of extra gum tissue or whose teeth seem short as a result of gum overgrowth. Crown lengthening treatment can be used on a single tooth, several teeth, or the whole gum line. It will depend on the patient’s requirements. The treatment usually takes place under local anaesthesia, and the recovery period varies according to the degree of the surgery.
Lip Repositioning Surgery
An efficient treatment for a gummy smile is lip relocation surgery. In this treatment, a tiny piece of tissue from the inner layer of the upper lip is removed, and the lip is secured in a lower position. As a result, more of the gums are covered when smiling since the lip moves less upward. Local anaesthesia is often used during lip repositioning surgery, and most patients recover quickly enough to resume their regular activities in about a week.
Orthognathic Surgery
Further, a person with a gummy smile issue can go for an orthognathic surgery. It is also known as jaw surgery and may be advised in extreme situations when a gummy smile is caused by a misaligned jaw. The upper jaw is repositioned during this surgery to create a beautiful smile. A dentist who specialises in dentistry usually performs orthodontic surgery, which might necessitate a lengthy recovery period. For best outcomes, it is frequently paired with orthodontic treatment.
Lastly
Making a gummy smile correction can dramatically enhance your appearance and confidence. There is a treatment choice that is customised to meet your individual needs, ranging from surgical treatments to orthodontics. Getting advice from the best dentist in Geelong West Bright Smiles Dental can help you fix your gummy smile.