4 Ways To Tackle A Gummy Smile

4 Ways To Tackle A Gummy Smile

You are considered as having a gummy smile if a larger than usual portion of your gum tissue is easily seen above your upper teeth when you smile. Some experts estimate that 10% of 20-30-year-old adults have a gummy smile. For many people, gummy smiles aren’t a true cause for concern besides being a cosmetic issue that can affect one’s confidence. However, there are many things you can do to stop excessive gingival display anytime you smile, restoring your overall confidence. Below are four of the best ways to tackle a gummy smile. 

1. Gum Contouring

Gum contouring is a minimally invasive procedure that aims to enhance your gum’s shape. Cosmetic dentists remove the excess gum tissue that causes gummy smiles. Additionally, your cosmetic dentist can also restore receding gum tissue that is excessively exposing your teeth to resolve your gummy smile. Many modern dentists use dental lasers for gum contouring since they make the entire procedure more precise and comfortable. Gum contouring is a permanent solution, so you won’t have to worry about your gums showing when you smile ever again. What’s more, it makes it easier to eliminate plaque and tartar so you can prevent several other dental issues from occurring.

2. Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is your best bet to correct a gummy smile if your teeth have not fully erupted. The procedure is much like a gingivectomy but involves adjusting the bone and gum around the teeth to the ideal level to achieve the best results. You will undergo crown lengthening only once, so it is a permanent solution to a gummy smile. Finally, it comes with the added benefit of reducing tooth decay since it exposes more of your teeth for brushing and flossing.

3. Botox Injection

There are reportedly about 900,000 facial injections of Botulinum Toxin (Botox) in the UK annually, so this cosmetic procedure is quite popular. A Botox treatment can help fix your gummy smile by relaxing your upper lip’s muscle activity. This muscle raises the lip, so injecting a tiny amount of Botox in it lowers how high your lip goes anytime you smile. It takes up to seven days to see the full results of a Botox injection, and the effects can last up to six months. Therefore, a big drawback of Botox injections is that you need to re-inject after its effects wear off. Besides, the cost of Botox injections in the UK can vary from £100 to £350 per treatment. As such, it is undoubtedly the most costly way to get rid of your gummy smile since you will need to continually pay for treatments throughout your lifetime.

4. Orthodontic Treatment

Sometimes, your gummy smile is less of an actual problem due to the position of your teeth. Indeed, if your teeth are aligned in a way that highlights an asymmetrical gum line, orthodontics can help correct your gummy smile. Braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontics can improve your teeth’s position, and your gum line will quickly follow suit. Orthodontics can be a single solution that addresses your gummy smile enough to guarantee enough comfort. On the other hand, they can be a stepping stone to other treatments. You will benefit from orthodontic treatment the most if your gummy smile isn’t so severe and is caused by issues like a minor jaw problem or a bad bite.

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