There are several reasons for a gummy smile, and treatment of this condition depends on the etiology of the excessive gingival display. This requires detailed comprehensive extra and intraoral examinations and measurements in the scope of the expertise of Prosthodontists.
60+ years combined experience
A short upper lip, or one that lifts too high when you smile, can expose more gum than normal even when the teeth and gums are healthy.
When teeth wear down, they look shorter, which changes the balance between tooth and gum. This is often accompanied by overgrowth of the gum tissue and supporting bone, which makes the gummy appearance more noticeable.
As teeth erupt from the bone and gums, the surrounding gum naturally recedes in the opposite direction, a process called “passive eruption.” When this recession doesn’t fully happen, the visible part of the tooth stays short and more gum shows. This is known as “altered passive eruption.”
Some medications can cause gum inflammation and overgrowth (gingival hypertrophy) as a side effect. The most common are anti-epileptic, anti-depressant, and anti-hypertensive medications.
Often the treatment of choice in mild cases involving gum overgrowth or altered passive eruption. It can be done with a laser or a minimal surgical incision.
Recommended in more advanced cases where significant correction is required.
A common and conservative way to improve gum display. It starts with a careful analysis of your smile and a diagnostic wax-up to plan exactly how much gum to reduce. The treatment is planned by a prosthodontist and carried out with the rest of our clinical team.
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