When you look at pictures of yourself, do you feel self-conscious that you are showing more gums than teeth? This is true for many patients, but they often do not know there is an option to treat this or think it would require surgery to correct. To give you an idea of what this looks like, I’d like to provide you with the same comprehensive explanation I share with my patients, explaining the gummy smile reduction process and common questions patients have concerning pain, recovery, and expected results.
What is a Gummy Smile?
When we use the term “gummy smile,” all we mean is that someone displays a lot of gum tissue when they smile. While it isn’t a health concern, some people can feel self-conscious if their smile presents in this manner. Many patients even practice smiling in a different way so their lip doesn’t raise up as high to help hide the excess gum tissue.
There are a variety of factors that could cause a gummy smile. Genetics, excess upper jaw bone growth, lip mannerisms, or the size or shape of one’s teeth can all play a role. These factors essentially make it appear as though you have too much gum showing in your smile, compared to your teeth. If you feel like this describes your smile and it’s something you’ve been self-conscious about, a gummy smile reduction may be the right choice for you.
Step-by-Step Guide to Gummy Smile Reduction:
Fortunately, fixing a gummy smile is something that can be predictably treated in most patients with a provider who has the proper training and resources. A gummy smile treatment is achievable by following these steps.
Step 1: Consultation and Assessment
The first step to a gummy smile reduction is the initial evaluation by an orthodontist, like myself, to determine the best treatment option. Every person’s smile and health factors are different, so it is vital to have a deep understanding of the patient’s smile prior to assuming a treatment.
For example, during my evaluation, I perform an in-depth oral health assessment and use digital imaging to assess your gum-to-tooth ratio. Based on the results, I recommend one of the following three orthodontic treatments as well as a comprehensive understanding of what your expected results are likely to be.
Step 2: Treatment Selection
Depending on the results of your initial exam, I will recommend one of these four treatment methods geared toward reducing a gummy smile.
Option 1: Laser Gum Contouring:
Laser gum contouring is a popular gummy smile treatment option. It is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that reshapes and/or removes excess gum tissue to reveal more of your teeth. Not only can it aesthetically improve your smile, but it can make your teeth easier to clean.
Option 2: Orthodontic Solutions
Generally, orthodontic treatment would be my primary recommendation, paired with the other options listed. At our office, we typically address a gummy smile using braces paired with Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs), which are mini dental implants placed in the gum tissue to provide extra support and help reposition the teeth further into the gumline. This technique allows for much greater gum reduction than laser gum contouring alone. As we gradually move the teeth up, the bone around the teeth follows, but the gum tissue doesn’t, so we would perform laser gum contouring afterwards to achieve an ideal gum-to-tooth ratio.
Option 3: Surgical Crown Lengthening
When more extensive correction is needed, surgical crown lengthening is another option for fixing a gummy smile. Excess gum and bone tissues are reshaped during this procedure to expose more of your natural teeth. This is a procedure that we would discuss and coordinate with other professionals on your dental care team after you have undergone orthodontic treatment.
Step 3: Post-Treatment Recovery
As with any medical treatment, it’s important to acknowledge that there will be requirements for post-treatment recovery and care. In most cases, patients can expect there to be at least some mild soreness, but it will depend on the specific procedure. Generally, any discomfort can be easily managed with over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
For example, with laser gum contouring and TADs, patients can expect minimal pain and a recovery time of only a few days to a week.
For orthodontic solutions like braces and Invisalign, it will depend greatly on your treatment plan. If you are pairing your treatment with other corrective measures, your treatment could last anywhere from 18-36 months.
Finally, there is minimal post-operative discomfort for surgical crown lengthening, and the sutures are typically removed after one to two weeks.
How to Care For Your Oral Health After a Gummy Smile Reduction
We want our patients to have the best experience possible at Greg Brown Orthodontics. We will walk you through the details of each available treatment option, including how to care for your gums after treatment to promote healing. We will also give you detailed instructions for how to manage pain.
To manage discomfort during the procedure, we use a powerful topical numbing agent to help minimize patient discomfort without using local anesthetic. Post-TAD placement and laser gum contouring, discomfort is easily manage with over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
We will also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your treatment progress. We’re here to support you every step of the way– you can call or text us any time! Our patients play a very active role in their treatment progress, and we are here to help promote and facilitate a collaborative treatment plan to help accomplish your goals.
Book a Gummy Smile Reduction Consultation with Dr. B
Are you curious if gummy smile reduction is right for you? I encourage you to contact our office, Greg Brown Orthodontics, today to schedule a consultation with us to find out how we can help improve your smile!
