Smile Correction

A person is said to have a “gummy smile” when more than 3 mm of the gums are visible while smiling. A gummy smile is characterized by a larger upper jaw bone when compared to the lower jaw bone, and the appearance of a stretched upper lip, causing an excessive display of gums when a person smiles. A gummy smile can be corrected for both aesthetic and functional aspects.

Causes

Gummy smiles range from mild-to-severe cases, and may lead to a feeling of self-consciousness among some. It may be caused due to:

Genetic factors or developmental influences
Overactive upper lip muscles, which pull the lip upwards
Formation of excess bone above the teeth, causing the bulging of gums
Incomplete recession of gum tissue once adult teeth erupt

Treatment

Before surgery, your doctor plans a suitable treatment strategy after assessing parameters such as systemic health and habits, height and symmetry of face, thickness and length of lips, dimension and condition of teeth, smile line, facial bone level and width of the gums.

Gingivectomy
Lip repositioning
Crown Lengthening
Risks and complications