Periodontics & Implant Surgery
Dr. Nooshin Ghayoumi, DDS, Inc.
Periodontics & Implant Surgery
Dr. Nooshin Ghayoumi, DDS, Inc.
When you show an excessive display of gum tissue in smile you have a gummy smile.
A Gummy smile can be treated with the following options:
If you’re curious how a gummy smile can be corrected, Dr. Ghayoumi holds personalized consultations to discuss treatment options and showcase some before-and-after photos of successful treatments.
According to a generally agreed measure, 1 to 2 mm from the gums are represented in a typical smile. A gummy smile is when 3 to 4 millimeters of your gum line is visible.
The cost of correcting your gummy smile will vary greatly depending on the type of treatment you are undertaking. If only a deep cleaning procedure with root leveling is needed, the cost of your treatment will not be that high.
In most cases, a gummy smile is a cosmetic issue, and you should only consider treating it when you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile. However, when the enlargement of the gums is caused by gum disease or other underlying medical problems, you should seek treatment.
If you’re concerned about your gummy smile, Dr. Ghayoumi can help. With years of experience and state-of-the-art techniques, she can provide you with the best solution for a confident smile. Schedule an Appointment today!
Everything You Need to Know
There are many reasons why a large amount of your gums are visible, including genetic reasons, medications, and poor oral hygiene. Let’s take a look at some of the most common.
Hyperactive Upper Lip
If your upper lip is shorter than usual, your gum line may be more exposed when you smile. Add a lip with elevator muscle hyperactivity, meaning when you smile, they rise dramatically, and you’ll see even more of that gum line.
Gingival Overgrowth
It may seem obvious, but if you have prominent gums, it may be because the tissue in your gums is too large. In this case, your teeth have a natural length and may fit your lips, but only your gums are long.
Altered Tooth Eruption
You may have a gummy smile due to how your permanent teeth grow, which in some cases may be due to genetics.
This is known as altered passive onset and can also lead to the appearance of a gingival smile.
Another tooth growth problem that can lead to a smile with prominent gums or a gummy smile is the vertical increase in the upper jaw. This condition occurs when your upper jawbone is longer than it should be.
Drug-Induced Gingival Hyperplasia
Some prescription medications can cause gums to enlarge. This may occur with immunosuppressive drugs (for transplant patients to prevent tissue rejection), technical twins (epilepsy patients), and heart disease drugs, including verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine.
Gum hyperplasia
Gum hyperplasia is an overgrowth and abnormal of the gum tissue around the tooth and has four potential causes:
Inflammatory enlargement of the gums: Inflammation is caused by plaque accumulation on the teeth from food, bacteria, and poor oral hygiene measures.
Drug-induced gum enlargement: Certain medications, including those mentioned above, can cause gum hyperplasia as a side effect.
Hereditary gum fibromatosis: Genetics may play a role in gum hyperplasia, but it is rare. In this case, the cause is related to the overproduction of collagen. Due to the recurring nature of the condition, it may be necessary to have a re-surgical removal.
Systemic causes of gum enlargement: Some diseases can lead to gum hyperplasia, such as leukemia, HIV, diabetes, anemia, Crohn’s disease, lymphoma, and vitamin deficiency. Pregnant women may also experience this.
Hyperactive Upper Lip Elevators
Your upper lip muscles can also control how visible your gum line is. If your muscles are hyperactive, your upper lip will rise more than expected, and your gums will show themselves more. This event can also give the appearance of a gummy smile.
Genetics
Many of these factors may be partly due to genetic reasons. For many people, gummy smiles caused by having a large jaw, short upper lip, or small teeth can be caused by genetic factors.
Tooth growth
In cases of altered passive eruption (APE), the tooth does not ultimately come out through the gum tissue, and the tooth is not entirely left exposed, leaving a part of the tooth crown still covered by the gums. These incomplete exposures give an illusion of short teeth and contribute to the gummy smile.
