GUMMY SMILE
treatment
anti-wrinkle injections
WHAT IS A GUMMY SMILE?
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A gummy smile is categorised as excessive gingival display of 2-4 mm of visible gum when smiling. Or, when you smile or laugh and too much gum tissue is seen on the top lip.
WHAT CAUSES A GUMMY SMILE?
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There are many factors that can contribute to a gummy smile and everyone’s anatomy is unique.
• It can be the result of the top jaw not aligning properly with the bottom jaw.
• A hyperactive top lip: Genetics are often responsible for a top lip that is either hyperactive or too short. When the top lip is hyperactive, the muscle that controls the skin between the nose and mouth overextends, causing the top lip to raise and expose gum tissue when smiling or laughing.
• Having an excess of gum tissue. This will result in a gummy appearance.
• Women are also twice as likely to have a gummy smile than men.
GUMMY SMILE TREATMENT
The treatment approach depends on the underlying cause of the gummy smile. Correcting a gummy smile can be treated surgically with gum recontouring, lip repositioning and jawline surgery correction.
There are also non-surgical treatment options to display less gum when smiling or laughing, although not everyone is suitable for these treatments.
These can include relaxing an overly tight upper lip so the muscles either side of the nose and under the nose relax. Generally, the more gum that is visible, the more the results are noticeable.
Creating more volume in a thin, undefined upper lip can create more balance and correct asymmetry and proportions in the lip.
Some patients will require a combination of treatments to reach their goals. These are discussed in detail during the consultation process as individual results will vary based on individual patients’ anatomy and the degree of visible gum.