What is Gummy Smile?
Gummy smile is an aesthetic problem that manifests itself when the teeth appear more than normal and the gums become excessively exposed when we smile. This condition can make a person’s smile lopsided and unbalanced, thus causing discomfort, especially in social interactions. Gummy smile, which is an aesthetically important issue, can affect people’s self-confidence, and many people who are disturbed by this situation seek a solution. Excessive gum exposure when smiling usually occurs with a combination of various factors such as genetic factors, tooth structure, height of the gums or overwork of the facial muscles.
This condition not only creates an aesthetic concern, but in some cases can even make daily activities such as normal conversation or eating difficult. It can affect people of all ages; however, it is most common in young adults and adolescents. The solution to this aesthetic problem is usually surgical intervention, but today treatment options are more diversified and less invasive methods are preferred.
Causes of Gummy Smile
Gummy smile is a condition that disturbs our patients aesthetically. There are various factors behind the emergence of this situation. Both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the formation of a gummy smile. The impact of these factors may be at different levels in each individual. I have stated the most common reasons we observe below;
Genetic Factors
Genetic factors are one of the most common causes of gummy smile. Individuals with such a condition in the family may experience the same condition due to genetic predisposition. Some people may have naturally longer gums. In this case, when they smile, excess gums are visible, making the smile look unbalanced. In addition, overdevelopment of the upper jaw bone or gums being higher than normal is also associated with genetic factors. Such genetic characteristics can have a direct impact on a person’s smile aesthetics.
Apart from this, the structure of facial features and the shape of the gums may also be a genetic inheritance. For example, in some individuals, overdeveloped gums and the upper jaw shifting forward may naturally cause the appearance of more gums.
Overgrowth of Gums (Gum Hypertrophy)
Gum overgrowth is another important factor that can lead to a gummy smile. When gums grow and develop excessively, they can cover some or all of the teeth. This causes the gums to show more when we smile. Gum hypertrophy is often linked to a variety of health problems.
Gum disease can cause inflammation and swelling of the gums, which can cover the teeth. In addition, overgrowth of gums may occur as a side effect of some medications. In particular, drugs that affect the immune system, drugs used for cancer treatment and some cardiovascular drugs can cause enlargement of the gums. On the other hand, hormone imbalances may also be one of the reasons for excessive gum growth.
Having Short Teeth
One of the factors that plays an important role in smile aesthetics is the size of the teeth. Having short teeth can cause more gums to be visible when smiling. This condition may be caused by genetic factors, excessive wear of the teeth, or disorders in tooth development. Short teeth may occur especially with age. Over time, tooth wear or weakening of tooth enamel can cause teeth to decrease in size. This may affect the person’s natural smile and cause more gums to be visible.
Excessive Gum Growth
In some people, the gums grow more than normal, which may cause the gums to become more visible when smiling. Overgrowth of gums obstructs the appearance of teeth, making a person’s smile unbalanced. Gum enlargement is usually caused by gum disease, excessive plaque accumulation or genetic factors.
Gummy Smile Treatment
It can be treated with various personalized methods. Treatment options vary depending on the cause of the condition, the person’s age, health status, and personal preferences. Read on for the most commonly applied treatment methods;
- Botox Application: Botox is one of the most preferred treatments in gummy smile treatment. In this treatment, botox is used to limit the movement of the upper lip. Botox relaxes overactive facial muscles and prevents the upper lip from rising, thus preventing excessive gum exposure.
- Gum Aesthetics (Gingivoplasty): If there is excess tissue in the gums, the gums are shaped with a surgical procedure called gingivoplasty. This operation makes the gums more aesthetically natural and makes the teeth more prominent. In addition, if the teeth are short as well as having excessive gums, the length of the teeth can also be lengthened.
- Tooth Lengthening: In cases where the gums are too long, gum and bone tissue can be corrected to lengthen the teeth. Tooth lengthening makes teeth appear longer and more prominent.
- Jaw Surgery: If the gummy smile is caused by a problem in the jaw structure, jaw surgery is required. Conditions such as excessive protrusion of the upper jaw are corrected by jaw surgery. Jaw surgery is a suitable solution for people with serious aesthetic problems.
- Dental Veneers and Porcelain Lamina: In cases where the teeth are short, the length of the teeth can be increased with dental veneers or porcelain laminate applications. This method makes the teeth appear longer and helps the smile become more balanced.
Psychological Effects of Gummy Smile
Gummy smile, in addition to being an aesthetic problem, can also affect people’s psychological health. People who show excess gum in their smile can often experience embarrassment or lack of self-confidence. This may cause them to be shy in social life or feel uncomfortable smiling. However, with gummy smile treatment, people can achieve both aesthetic and psychological relief. When they feel freer with their smile, their self-confidence increases and they become more comfortable in their social lives.
Gummy Smile Prices
Gummy smile treatment may vary depending on the method used, the area treated and the doctor’s level of expertise. Gummy smile can be corrected with various methods such as Botox applications, gum aesthetics, tooth lengthening and jaw surgery. Which treatment method is preferred is determined by the person’s condition and aesthetic expectations. The treatment process and recovery times may vary depending on the treatment to be applied, so we need to make a personalized evaluation.