A Gummy Smile Can Be Fixed

Your gummy smile doesn’t have to be the demise of your social life. Now, with periodontal treatment, you can enjoy the smile you’ve always wanted. With the use of one of five procedures, your gummy smile can be fixed so that you’ll have a more natural, broad smile. In a matter of minimal time these dental procedures will have you smiling with confidence.

What is a Gummy Smile?

Now that you’ve heard the term “gummy smile” you probably have a good idea of what the term means. You probably even know you have it. As you may suspect, a gummy smile is when you have excessive gum tissue covering your teeth, giving you the appearance of shorter teeth and large gums. It can also be seen when your upper lip rises too high, showing off the entirety of your teeth.

5 Causes of a Gummy Smile

There are five causes of a gummy smile, all of which can be resolved by a periodontist. Depending on the cause, there are also five different procedures to use to fix the problem.

1. Abnormal eruption of your teeth.
2. The muscle of your upper lip is overactive, causing it to move higher than normal.
3. How your jaw grew and developed, often protruding.
4. Due to developmental or genetic factors, an altered passive eruption (APE) of teeth.
5. Hyperplastic growth of the maxillary skeletal base.

5 Ways to Fix a Gummy Smile

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are several dental procedures that can fix a gummy smile. The procedure your periodontist uses depends on the cause of your gummy smile. Your periodontist will be able to determine the cause and then decide which treatment is right for you.

If it’s caused by an over-active upper lip:

1. Surgical Lip Repositioning Surgery. This procedures involves altering the levator muscles inside the upper lip, which control movement of the mouth when smiling and talking, to prevent them from retracting as they normally do.
2. Non-Surgical Repositioning through Botox. Botox is strategically placed in several areas inside and beneath the upper lip, to target the muscles which control the movement of the upper lip, to limit retraction. This procedure will need to be done every couple of months, as it wears off during that time.

If it’s caused by excessive gums:

3. Laser or scalpel gum gingivectomy. The trimming of excessive gum tissue and with a laser or scalpel is a gum gingivectomy.
4. Crown Lengthening. This surgery removes and restructures gums, and bone if necessary, to expose more of your natural teeth.

If your gummy smile is due to a long mid-face:

5. Vertical maxillary impaction. Jaw surgery to correct a severe anterior open bite that makes your gums appear longer. It’s known as a orthognathic surgery or vertical maxillary impaction.

You don’t have to live with a gummy smile for the rest of your life. Visit a Los Angeles periodontist and discuss your treatment options. They’ll be able to assess the cause of your gummy smile and decide on the best periodontal procedure for you. In just a matter of time, your smile will have you shining bright.

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