Have you heard of a gummy smile? Whether you were lucky enough to grow into a perfectly straight smile or utilized the myriad of innovative orthodontic treatment options available to achieve that award-winning grin if you have a gummy smile, you are likely very aware of it. Even the most perfect alignment can lose some aesthetic points when your gum-to-tooth ratio is unbalanced. So, what causes a gummy smile, and can it be fixed?
At Backus Orthodontics, we are proud to offer many different treatment options so you can get straighter teeth and a nicer-looking smile you can be proud to show off! Understanding the difference between treatment options is important to ensure your goal and your comfort during your treatment are aligned from the beginning. Let’s take a closer look at what causes a gummy smile and what our experienced team in Hoover, AL, can do to alleviate it.
What is a “Gummy” smile?
The technical term for a gummy smile is ‘excessive gingival display,’ which basically means more gums are showing above your upper teeth, either across a few teeth or the whole upper smile, than is common in most healthy adults. This imbalance is typically harmless, but it can make your upper teeth or lip appear too small, making some people feel self-conscious. For other patients, a gummy smile can indicate a deeper problem concerning their oral health. Dr. Backus and his caring team believe that if you love your gummy smile, there is no reason to change your appearance. However, if your gums cause you to smile less than you’d like or you are concerned you may have something else going on with your smile, schedule some “chair time” with Dr. Backus to get a plan together and get smiling again!
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
There are many causes for excessive gingival display, which makes calling it a “gummy smile” a bit deceptive. Your gums, teeth, lips, and jaw are all contributing factors to how much of your gums show when you smile. Studies also show that women are twice as likely to have a gummy smile than men. Most of the credit for your gum appearance can be given to your genetics for each of those elements but sometimes, how we take care of our teeth can lead to an improper bite, inflammation, and wear, which can all lead to your mouth compensating with excess gums.
For patients who seem to have a good balance between tooth size and gum amounts, your gummy smile is most likely caused by a hyperactive upper lip. This over-activity happens when the muscles in the upper lip and under the nose are stronger and more reactive than they should be. The repeated overuse can make the gummy smile more and more noticeable over time.
The most common cause of a gummy smile is simply too much gum tissue. When your teeth erupt from the jawline, the gums are stimulated to allow for growth and to create stability for the tooth. In some cases, the gum tissue can overgrow past the necessary point creating an unfavorable look that doesn’t affect the functionality of your teeth or jaws. With all of these possibilities for ending up with a gummy smile, what can be done to fix it?
Can a gummy smile be fixed?
In order to fix your gummy smile, Dr. Backus and his skilled team will need first to determine the underlying cause of your excessive gum or their exposure. The most common treatment options for a gummy smile are:
Scaling & Root Planing
For patients whose gum excess is caused by infected and inflamed gums, the best course of treatment is to start with a professional deep cleaning or scaling and root planing. This advanced process allows our ortho team to reach the deep pockets in the gums that are harboring bacteria to clear out the infection and help your gums heal. Once healed, the inflammation will also recede to reveal your appropriate tooth appearance.
Gum Lift or Crown Lengthening
If your excess gums are just that- excess gum tissue covering the teeth, a basic gum lift and contouring can give you the best results for your smile. During this procedure, some of the gum tissue is removed, and the remaining tissue is restructured for the desired gum shape at the new gum line. This procedure is commonly performed with crown lengthening when there is an abundance of gum tissue due to the tooth not erupting fully. With crown lengthening, the bone at the base of the tooth is also altered to make the tooth appear longer.
Lip-Lowering Surgery or Botox
Ever had your ears lowered? Just as deceptive as referring to a haircut as ear-lowering, lip-lowering doesn’t actually involve lowering your lip. Instead, in lip-lowering surgery, a small portion of gum tissue under the upper lip is removed, and the top and bottom of this spot are stitched together to make the lip appear shorter. This “shorter” lip will not rise as high as it used to and will cover the gums more.
In comparison, some patients have found that a precise amount of Botox placed in the right spots in the gums of the upper lip can create the same effect without a permanent removal of the tissue.
Orthodontic Appliances
If your gummy smile is caused by a bad bite, such as an overbite that causes your top front teeth to protrude, resulting in excessive gums, orthodontic appliances like Invisalign clear aligners or even metal or clear braces can help. When your teeth are correctly aligned, the gums will appear more balanced during functioning, like smiling, laughing, and talking.
Let Backus Orthodontics fix your gummy smile so you can really smile!
We know you might feel self-conscious about other parts of your appearance, but a gummy smile is not something you have to get used to! Schedule your free, no-pressure consultation so Dr. Jeff Backus can go over your options so that together we can make the right decision for you and your mouth!
Dr. Backus and his expert team at Backus Orthodontics in Hoover, AL, have a decades-long reputation across northern Alabama for our friendly and fun practice that produces beautiful and healthy smiles. We can’t wait to add you to Hoover’s Best Smiles list!
Hoover Orthodontic Treatment FAQs
When it comes to improving our smile, many of us have questions about what orthodontic treatment involves, how it works, and what to expect during the process. Since this type of care can greatly influence both oral health and appearance, it helps to have clear answers to common questions. Our Hoover, AL orthodontic treatment values giving straightforward guidance so patients can make confident choices about their dental health.
How Long Does Orthodontic Care Usually Take
Treatment times vary depending on the type of alignment issues being addressed and the method chosen. Some patients may only need a year of adjustments, while others may require two or more years. Factors like age, oral health, and how well we follow instructions, such as wearing aligners or using rubber bands, can all affect the total time. Regular checkups allow the orthodontist to track progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.
What Types Of Braces Or Aligners Are Available
Today’s options include traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces placed behind the teeth, and clear aligners. Each type works differently but shares the same goal of gently moving teeth into the proper position. The choice depends on personal preference, lifestyle, and the specific alignment needs. For example, clear aligners may be preferred by adults who want a more discreet option, while younger patients may do well with braces that provide consistent movement.
Is Orthodontic Treatment Painful
Discomfort is normal at certain points, especially after adjustments or when starting with new aligners. This soreness typically fades within a few days and can usually be managed with simple remedies like over-the-counter pain relief or a soft food diet. While the process involves some pressure as teeth shift, it is not usually considered painful. According to our Hoover orthodontic treatment, patients often find the short periods of soreness worth the long-term improvement in both comfort and confidence.
Do Braces Or Aligners Affect Daily Activities
Most daily activities, including school, work, and sports, continue as usual during treatment. Some adjustments may be needed, like avoiding certain hard or sticky foods that can damage braces or remembering to remove aligners while eating. Clear speech may feel slightly different at first with aligners or braces, but this generally improves quickly. Maintaining a good oral care routine is especially important to keep teeth and gums healthy throughout the process.
What Happens After Orthodontic Treatment Is Complete
When the teeth have shifted into place, the active phase ends, but the retention phase begins. Retainers are typically used to help hold the new alignment while the surrounding bone and tissue adjust. Wearing retainers as directed is key to maintaining results. Over time, retainers may only need to be worn at night. Following these steps helps preserve the improvements achieved through treatment and supports long-term oral health.
Learn More About How We Can Help
Orthodontic treatment can be a life-changing step for both health and appearance. Having clear answers makes it easier to feel comfortable with the process and confident about the results. At Backus Orthodontics, we take pride in guiding patients through every stage of their journey. If you or your family are considering this type of care, we invite you to reach out to our friendly Hoover orthodontic treatment staff for a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
