What Is A Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is characterised by excessive exposure of the gums (over 3-4 mm) when smiling, often due to factors like shorter teeth with excessive gum coverage, excessive upper lip elevation or a longer upper jaw meaning more gum show. This condition can lead to self-consciousness and diminished confidence, as individuals may feel insecure about the imbalance between their teeth and gums. The perception of a less aesthetically pleasing smile may impact social interactions and hinder one’s willingness to smile openly, affecting overall confidence and self-esteem.
What Causes A Gummy Smile?
An excessive amount of gum tissue visible when smiling, can stem from a variety of factors. Genetics play a significant role, with inherited traits influencing the proportions of the gums, teeth, and lips. Dental issues such as an overgrowth of gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia) or a short upper lip can also contribute to a gummy smile. Additionally, skeletal variance like vertical maxillary excess, where the upper jaw is longer, can mean you see more gum on smiling or rest. Determining the specific cause often requires assessment by a dental professional or orthodontist for appropriate treatment planning. At Takroni Clinic our multidisciplinary team means we also have experienced dentists who work at our clinic carrying out our advanced non-surgical aesthetic treatments who can fully assess your smile and make the most appropriate recommendations for treatment.
How Can I Treat A Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile, resulting from an overactive upper lip, can be effectively improved at Takroni Clinic using a neuromodulator. This can either be placed using the technique we use for a lip flip or using a ‘gummy smile’ technique. Your clinician will help to decide what is best for you based on your individual needs. By strategically injecting the same product used in our anti-wrinkle treatments into specific muscles responsible for lifting the upper lip excessively, their activity is temporarily relaxed. This reduces the elevation of the lip during smiling, resulting in less gum exposure and a more balanced smile. The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and requires no downtime. Results gradually manifest over the course of 1-2 weeks and can last for several months. It is often complimented with the use of lip filler for the optimum result. Regular maintenance at 3–4-month intervals is required to maintain your new and enhanced smile.
