Have you ever heard anyone talk about a gummy smile? Do you know what it is? Watch Dr. Stryker talk about gummy smiles and how to treat them in this video.

What Should Your Smile Look Like?

Is there such a thing as a normal or ideal smile? Well, yes, actually, there is. For textbook, ideal aesthetics, only about a millimeter of gum should show when you smile. So what does it mean if your smile doesn’t look like that? What if you see more than a millimeter of gum when you smile?

Some Reasons Why

There are several reasons behind a gummy smile, two of which can be corrected by your dentist. So, what are these reasons?
1. Lip mobility: If your upper lip moves up a lot and you have a big smile, this is one reason you may show a lot of gums when you smile.
2. Excess gum tissue that has grown over your teeth: Your teeth may look very short and square, and when you smile, you show a lot of gums.
3. Excess gum and bone tissue: In addition to having excess gum tissue that has grown over your teeth, you may also have excess bone tissue.
4. Maxilla has grown too much relative to the mandible: This is the most complex situation, where you have too much bone and, if combined with a big smile, results in a gummy smile.

It Might Be Simpler Than You Think

Or it might not. It all depends on what we find when you come in for an appointment. If you have excess gum tissue, you might have beautiful enamel underneath, and in one visit, we can completely transform your smile. The process is more complex if you have a combination of excess gum and bone tissue. This can still be fixed but requires a little more planning and some additional cosmetic dentistry, like veneers or cosmetic bonding. If your maxilla has grown too much, then this would require a more detailed treatment plan that would include surgery, which would impact your whole jaw.

Now That You Know…

If you have a gummy smile and want to do something about it, we can help. There is only one way to know which of these cases applies to you. After an evaluation, we can determine your optimal treatment plan. Call to make an appointment and come see us at our office located in North Huntingdon, PA to discuss a personalized plan just for you.