Personalized Aesthetic Treatments for Gummy Smile and Its Causes

• Unusual Tooth Eruption: When your teeth pop through the gums, they should come out straight. When that doesn’t happen, your teeth may be crooked or some may be higher than others, creating an uneven gumline.
• Heredity: Genetics play a role in all aspects of our development, including excessive gums. If you have family members with this condition, there is a risk that you will also have it.
• Medication: Medications can cause excessive gum tissue growth, resulting in a gummy smile.
• Overactive Upper Lip: Some upper lips are so strong that they pull the lip upwards, exposing more of the gum than usual.
• Jaw and Teeth Malalignment: Misaligned teeth and jawbones that do not align properly can give you a gummy smile.
• Small Upper Lip: A small upper lip will expose more gum.
• Small Teeth: People are often born with small teeth. The smaller the teeth are, the bigger your gums will look.

Jaw Misalignment

• Teeth Aligners: When a gummy smile is the result of a misaligned Jaw or other jaw-related structural issues, aligners and braces are used to correct it. Aligners are made of clear plastic and straighten the teeth over time. Teeth aligners can be removed for meals, brushing, and flossing.
• Traditional Braces: Sometimes you need something stronger to fix structural misalignment. Traditional braces allow the dentist to tighten them and create more pressure on the teeth to pull them into alignment.

✅ Both bracing options will fix an overbite, correct your teeth alignment, and have you showing off your breathtaking smile!

• Botox Injections: This is used when your upper lip is hyperactive. Botox can be injected into your upper lip muscle. As the muscle relaxes, less of the top gum shows, alleviating your gummy smile. Unfortunately, it only lasts three to six months. The procedure is quick, and no healing time is needed. The upside is that it’s only a needle prick, so that it can be done again. However, if you’re not satisfied with the results, you can undergo another procedure.
• Veneers: If you have short or worn-down teeth, veneers are a good choice. A veneer is a tooth covering that slips over the tooth, making the tooth appear longer and the gums appear shorter, while improving your smile.

• Gum Contouring: This treatment is not a new concept. It is also known as a gingivectomy and is a slightly invasive procedure. The excess gum is removed to reveal more of the teeth. The gum is reshaped and allowed to heal. There will be mild discomfort, but the healing time is quick.
• Crown Lengthening: This procedure is performed when gum and bone cover the teeth. Surgery is needed to remove the teeth and bone. Individuals whose teeth have not fully erupted and also need dental crowns. This is a good example of the need for more than one treatment to correct a gummy smile.
• Jaw Surgery: In the most severe cases of upper jaw misalignment, jaw surgery may be necessary. The surgery involves repositioning your jaw so that the top and bottom are perfectly aligned, then the gums are contoured, and your pearly whites can be fully visible.
• Repositioning the Lips: For individuals whose gummy smile is caused by a hyperactive upper lip, repositioning the lip is an ideal solution. While it may sound like an extreme measure, it involves adjusting the upper lip so it doesn’t pull upward and show your gums. Not only is the surgery quick (approximately an hour), but it also heals very quickly. Once healed, your smile is balanced, and that gummy smile is gone!

🌟 Our smile experts at Shtern Dental Clinic are experienced in all dental procedures. We offer a relaxing environment and a unique experience. While you’re in Cancun, set up a consultation and let our bilingual staff help you achieve the beautiful smile you were born to have!