Over a quarter of the population says that they don’t like their smile. For some, it’s a simple matter of hating their teeth. For others, it’s because their smile is too gummy.
As the name suggests, having a gummy smile means that you show more gum than teeth when you laugh. The condition can be caused by a hyperactive lip, jaw development issues, abnormal tooth eruption, and more.
If you’re dealing with this problem, you’ll be happy to know that there are several ways that you can fix it. You can get braces or go in for a gum lift. If none of these options work for you, check out this guide to learn more.
Orthodontic Treatment
If your jawbone didn’t develop the correct way, your smile might be a bit gummy. Getting braces can fix the issue by putting your jaw back into place.
As your teeth shift back into their proper positioning, your gums will follow suit. Your smile should be a little more proportionate when the treatment is finished, but sometimes braces aren’t enough. If this is the case, you may want to talk to your dentist about getting a gum lift.
Gum Lift
When you go in for a gum lift or gum contouring as it’s often called, the surgeon will get rid of your extra gum tissue and use what’s left to sculpt a new gum line for you. They’ll show you where the new gum line will be, so you can approve before they set to work.
In some cases, the underlying bone might be what’s causing your gummy smile. In these instances, the surgeon will have to reshape the bone. If you’re interested in this gum surgery, you can know more here.
Veneers and Crowns
The source of your gummy smile might not be your gums at all. It could be your teeth. If they’re a bit shorter than normal, it will make your gums stand out more when you smile.
The best way to draw attention away from your gums is by getting crowns or veneers. They’ll make your teeth appear a bit bigger, which means your smile will be more proportionate.
Lip Repositioning
If your lips move up higher than the average person’s, it will expose more of your gum line and result in a gummy smile. The best way to fix this problem is with lip repositioning surgery.
It’s a mostly non-invasive procedure that involves making two incisions and moving your lip downward. If you don’t want to go in for surgery, botox will have the same effect, but it won’t be permanent. You’ll have to go in for another injection within a few months.
Fix Your Gummy Smile
Does your gummy smile make you feel self-conscious? As you can see, there are plenty of treatment options available to you.
You can go in for surgery or talk to your orthodontist about trying to fix your problem with braces first.
For more tips that will help you improve your smile, visit the Health section of our blog.
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