Gummy Smiles

January 2, 2020
gummy smile

Some people feel self-conscious about smiling because they believe their gums are too prominent. Though we each have our own definition of what makes a smile beautiful — including how much gum is too much — a smile will usually be perceived as “gummy” when 4 millimeters (just over an eighth of an inch) of gum tissue shows. If your smile looks gummy to you, it's important to figure out exactly what's causing this. Only then can the appropriate cosmetic dental or periodontal (gum) procedures be recommended to give you a more pleasing appearance of the gums and teeth.

Causes

Gummy smiles may be caused by one or more factors relating to the gums themselves, the teeth, or even the lip or jaw. Each of these areas will require a different approach to solving the problem. Let's look at some of the ways a gummy smile can be corrected:

Gums. If your teeth appear too short in relation to your gums, it could be that they are being covered up by too much gum tissue. This problem can be solved with a periodontal plastic surgery technique called “crown lengthening,” which involves removing and reshaping the excess tissue to expose the full length of teeth.

Teeth. There are natural variations in the tooth-eruption process that can result in shorter than normal teeth and gumminess of the smile. If that's the case, your teeth can be made to appear longer by capping (crowning) them or covering them with thin porcelain veneers. It's also possible that your teeth have become worn down over time, especially if you have a grinding habit. When this happens, it can cause what is known as compensatory eruption. To compensate for the wear and maintain a functional bite, the teeth actually begin to move (or erupt) very slowly outward from the gum. This makes the smile appear gummier because the gums, which are attached to the teeth, move with them as they erupt. In some cases orthodontic treatment can be used to move the affected teeth back up into correct position. Afterwards, the worn-down teeth would usually be restored with porcelain crowns or veneers.

Lip. On average, the upper lip moves 6 to 8 millimeters from its normal resting position to a full smile. If the lip is hypermobile, meaning it rises much farther up, more gum tissue will be revealed. Here the action of the muscles that control the lip will need to be modified so they don't raise it quite so high. Treatment can range from Botox shots that temporarily paralyze the muscles (for about six months), to surgery that permanently restricts how high the lip can move, referred to as a lip stabilization procedure.

Jaw. Sometimes the upper jaw (maxilla) is too long for the face, a condition referred to as Vertical Maxillary Excess. If this is the case, the jaw would need to be repositioned with orthognathic surgery (“ortho” – straighten; “gnathos” – jaw). Of all the treatment listed here, this one is the most complex — but it can achieve dramatic results.

As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to correcting a gummy smile. However, there are various techniques that can achieve dramatic improvements.
Replacing Missing Teeth
By Sewell Dental Designs March 23, 2025
Discover how replacing missing teeth can transform your mental well-being and boost your confidence. Explore the psychological benefits today!
options for missing teeth
By Sewell Dental Designs February 28, 2025
Learn how missing teeth affect speech and explore the best options for missing teeth to restore clarity and confidence in your voice.
types of braces
By Sewell Dental Designs December 31, 2024
Explore types of braces and how getting braces works at Haddad Dental. Take the first step towards a confident smile now!
A woman is smiling while holding a clear retainer in her hand.
By Sewell Dental Designs October 20, 2024
How can you fix a misaligned bite as an adult? Explore orthodontic treatments that fit your lifestyle and needs. Visit now!
teeth replacement options
By Sewell Dental Designs August 23, 2024
Wondering about teeth replacement options? Discover the causes and consequences of missing teeth. Explore solutions to restore your smile. Visit us now!
tooth replacement options
By Sewell Dental Designs June 28, 2024
Explore various tooth replacement options that fit your lifestyle. Discover which option works best for you. Click now to find out more!
types of malocclusion
By Sewell Dental Designs April 10, 2024
Discover the different causes, symptoms, and types of malocclusion. Find out how to maintain dental health. Click now for comprehensive information!
jaw adjustment
By Sewell Dental Designs January 10, 2024
Orthodontics can fix a misaligned jaw with various treatment options. Discover what they can do in this guide on jaw adjustment.
what is periodontal disease, dentist in Sewell NJ
By Sewell Dental Designs November 18, 2023
In order to prioritize your dental health, you need to know how to prevent periodontal disease. But what is periodontal disease exactly?
Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentist in Sewell NJ
By Sewell Dental Designs September 27, 2023
Cosmetic dentistry is any procedure that improves the look of your smile. Learn about the most popular types of procedures that Sewell, NJ residents love here.
More Posts
Starbrite Dental dr maryam selfi

Dr. Haddad

D.M.D

Dr. Haddad’s purpose at Sewell Dental Designs is to empower his patients so they can achieve and maintain excellent dental health and have a smile they are happy to show off. He decided on this path after receiving treatment from a competent and friendly dentist when he was a teen.

Dr. Haddad obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at George Mason University in Virginia and went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree (DMD) from Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry.


Starbrite Dental dr Karimi

Dr. Joanna

D.D.S

Dr. Joanna Haddad was born and raised in Lebanon and now resides in Philadelphia, PA. She speaks Arabic, French, and English fluently. Dr. Joanna earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, graduating with honors in Public Health. During her time in dental school, she was highly involved in various organizations and served as the Chapter President of the American Student Dental Association. She is also a proud member of the American Dental Association, American Association of Facial Esthetics and American student dental association.

Dr. Giesberg

D.D.S

Dr. Konstantina S. Giesberg, DDS, is a board-certified dentist anesthesiologist who has earned the privilege of becoming a Diplomate of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology (DADBA).Dr. Giesberg obtained, with honors, her degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Buffalo, NY. She then completed her General Practice Residency in Dentistry at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Giesberg then furthered her studies at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center with a Specialty Program in Dental Anesthesiology, involving three years of concentration in deep sedation and general anesthesia.  

Share by: