Hi everyone. Dr. Matheson here at Matheson Dentistry. Today we're going to talk about gummy smiles and answer some common questions people have about it to give you a better understanding of this topic.
What is a gummy smile and what causes it?
A gummy smile is one where, when you smile really big like this, kind of like me, you show a lot of gums. It's natural in a very nice aesthetic smile to show a little bit of gums, but some people have an excessive amount of gums that show when they smile. This is really just your DNA, how you're made. Some people have a lip that doesn't go up much, and some have a lip that acts like a curtain that really comes up and shows a lot of gum. It's different for everybody, and it's just your DNA. It's the way you're made.
At what point is a smile considered too gummy?
A smile is considered too gummy if you think it's too gummy. This is a matter of personal preference. It's aesthetic, so it is a subjective topic. Some people are okay with a little bit of display of gums when they smile big, and some just don't like it. If it's something that bothers you when you smile big, if it looks too gummy or if you look at pictures of yourself and don't like the way your gums look, it seems there's too much gum showing. That's something I'd love to sit down and talk with you about, to discuss what we can do to help you with that.
Does a gummy smile affect dental health or just appearance?
A gummy smile doesn't necessarily affect dental health. When someone has periodontitis, which is a topic for another day, it's basically when there's an infection of the gums and the bone surrounding your teeth. The gums can be inflamed and a little swollen, which can make it look more gummy, but typically the normal gummy smile when you smile big isn't a problem at all. From a biological standpoint, from a functional standpoint, it's really more just an aesthetic issue.
What are the most common treatment options for fixing a gummy smile?
There are a couple of different options for treating a gummy smile. One is aesthetic crown lengthening, where we remove a little bit of the gums around your teeth. That is usually coupled with doing veneers or crowns to change the shape and look of the teeth as well. Another way is to use Botox in your upper lip. Botox kind of paralyzes the muscles wherever it's injected. Many people use it in different parts of their face, sometimes in the forehead, so the muscles that do facial expressions get paralyzed to prevent wrinkles. We can also use Botox to inject in your upper lip so that your lip doesn't come up as high when you smile. If your lip is a curtain, it just makes it so the curtain can't come up as high. If you have a gummy smile and are weighing your options, I'd be happy to sit down and talk with you. Call us for a free consultation, and I'd love to sit down and chat with you.
How does Botox work for treating a gummy smile?
Botox can help treat a gummy smile by paralyzing the muscles that lift your lip up. Some people have an upper lip that's highly reactive, and when you smile big, it really lifts your lip like a curtain. Botox semi-paralyzes the muscles so you can't physically lift your lip as high when you smile. That is one option to treat a gummy smile.
How long do results from Botox for a gummy smile typically last?
Botox doesn't last forever. The effects wear off over time, so it's something you would have to do regularly. Botox paralyzes the muscles it's injected into. Over several months or years, that muscle will atrophy and get smaller. The more you use Botox, the less you have to use it because the muscle will atrophy, becoming smaller and less effective over time. This is what you're trying to accomplish with a gummy smile. You don't want those muscles to pull your lip up so much. There definitely is follow-up. It's not a one-and-done thing; you have to do it over time.
Can surgery be used to correct a gummy smile?
Surgery is an option for correcting a gummy smile. We remove a little bit of the gums and sometimes a bit of the bone around your teeth. This is typically coupled with veneers or crowns on your front teeth. There are some amazing results that I'd be happy to show you, which have worked well to improve the aesthetics and decrease that gummy smile. If you're interested, please give us a call for a free consultation.
How effective are the different treatments for a gummy smile?
The different treatments for a gummy smile, whether it's Botox or surgery coupled with veneers, can be really effective. It's important to know that no two smiles are the same. Nobody's teeth are the exact same. It's essential to tailor a treatment plan specifically for you. If this interests you, please give us a call at the office. I'd love to sit down and chat with you about what we can do to help with your gummy smile.
Is it common for someone's smile to become more gummy as they age?
That's a good question. Typically, a gummy smile will not worsen as you age. Usually, if anything, it gets better. Gravity takes its toll on every part of our body, and over time your upper lip usually gets a little bit longer and covers more of your teeth. Often, you also get a little recession of the gums. So, between the gums receding slightly and your lower lip lengthening, a gummy smile will typically improve a little over time.
What's the difference between temporary and permanent gummy smile correction options?
There are more temporary and more permanent gummy smile correction options. Temporary fixes usually involve injecting Botox. Botox is not a one-and-done thing. It requires follow-up, and you'll need to do it multiple times over the years if you want it to stay effective. A more permanent fix involves surgery, where we remove a little bit of the gums and often some of the bone around the front teeth, coupled with veneers or crowns to make the teeth look nice.
Can you share what patients can expect from a gummy smile treatment before and after?
For those using Botox to treat a gummy smile, expect that after a Botox treatment, the effect won't be immediate. It may take a few days or up to a week to fully set in. You'll notice that when you smile, your upper lip won't react as much. Instead of coming up fully, it might only come up partially. For a more permanent gummy smile treatment, such as surgery, expect two phases. The first is the surgical phase, where we remove a bit of the gums and possibly bone around the teeth. Then, you'll wait for about eight weeks for healing before we finish with crowns or veneers on the front teeth to make them look nice.
How do you help patients decide which gummy smile fix is right for them?
When discussing a gummy smile fix, it's going to be different for everyone. There are many factors to consider, including how much you want to treat this, whether you want a permanent fix immediately or prefer ongoing treatment, and financial costs. If you're considering treating your gummy smile, please give us a call at Matheson Dentistry. Our phone number is (480) 888-8123, and you can schedule a free consultation with me. I'd love to chat about the best options for treating your gummy smile.
I hope I was able to answer some of your questions about a gummy smile. If you have further questions or if treating your gummy smile is something you'd like to do to improve the aesthetics of your smile, please give us a call at Matheson Dentistry. Our phone number is (480) 888-8123. I'd love to sit down with you for a free consultation to discuss the best options for treating your gummy smile.