When you look in the mirror, do you dislike the gum-to-tooth ratio in your grin? Is there just a bit too much gum going on? Known as a Gummy Smile, this excessive gingival display can often be more than just an aesthetic concern. While many patients seek treatment for cosmetic reasons, there are more significant oral health benefits to correcting the issue. When you choose a gummy smile treatment, it can contribute to your long-term oral health. Today, we at Greg Brown Orthodontics want to share a gummy smile’s functional and dental implications and how various treatments can provide long-term results beyond aesthetics.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
There is a large variety of myths when it comes to gummy smiles. However, despite what many people assume, gummy smiles are a naturally occurring medical condition where the ratio of gum tissue to teeth is larger than the current ideal standard, i.e., more than two millimeters. This naturally thicker gum tissue can create an uneven facial aesthetic, leaving some people uncomfortable with their smile.
However, gummy smiles aren’t always caused by gum tissue; they can be caused by various conditions that give the perception of a gummy smile. For example, they can be caused by any of the following:
- Small teeth
- An overactive or short upper lip
- Jaw development
- Tooth positioning
- Genetic facial proportions
- Medical conditions or medications that change your oral health
Oral Health Issues Linked to Gummy Smiles:
A gummy smile is often considered a cosmetic concern. People with gummy smiles can feel self-conscious about their smiles, negatively affecting their personal and professional lives. However, personal aesthetics aren’t the only concern; the oral health issues linked to gummy smiles can cause severe complications if left untreated. Here are a few examples:
- Difficulty maintaining proper oral hygiene due to excessive gum tissue
- Increased risk of gum inflammation or periodontal disease
- Unbalanced bite that can lead to TMJ issues or uneven tooth wear
- Breathing or speech complications in some instances of jaw misalignment
Treatment Options and Their Functional Benefits:
There are a variety of treatment routes for gummy smile treatment. However, it is essential to recognize that each patient’s treatment is unique to them. Your orthodontist will provide you with a tailored treatment plan designed to achieve all of your dental health goals, with gummy smile treatment being part of the process. In many of our patients’ cases, we utilize a multi-disciplinary approach, which we will explain further below, to help them reach their oral health destination.
#1: Braces or Invisalign:
Braces or Invisalign are one of the primary treatments for a gummy smile, as they can reposition one’s teeth and jaw to improve alignment and bite. Often paired with other corrective goals, braces and Invisalign are a common first step in a gummy smile treatment.
#2: Laser Gum Contouring
A second option for gummy smile treatment is laser gum contouring. Laser gum contouring is used to reshape excess gum tissue to reveal more of your teeth. Your orthodontist will carefully analyze your gum-to-tooth ratio as well as factors such as lip position, facial bone structure, and tooth wear to determine how much tissue to remove. Often paired with gum disease treatment, laser gum contouring can create a more balanced, healthy gum line.
#3: Temporary Anchorage Devices
Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADS) are mini dental implants that can be placed in one’s gum tissue to offer extra support while helping to reposition one’s teeth further into the gumline. Often, TADS are paired with laser gum contouring treatments as a part of a multi-disciplinary plan to achieve your overall oral health goals.
Long-Term Benefits Beyond Aesthetics:
Gummy smile treatment offers patients more than just an improved aesthetic; this treatment can bring long-term health and social benefits too!
First, the improved gum-to-tooth ratio gained through gummy smile treatment enhances oral hygiene access. With it being easier to floss and brush one’s teeth, there is a decreased risk of hygiene-related problems, like cavities or gum disease.
Second, better bite alignment (achieved through braces, Invisalign, or TADS) reduces jaw stress and enamel erosion. This can help prevent TMJ dysfunction and other misalignment issues that could cause severe health issues later in life.
Third, less gum exposure reduces the risk of chronic gum irritation. Achieved through laser gum contouring, this reduced risk will help minimize or prevent gum inflammation or periodontal disease.
Lastly, and what we consider one of the most under-reported but best benefits, is mental and emotional health. We have seen our gummy smile treatment patients garner more confidence in their smile. This, in turn, can positively affect mental and emotional well-being, improving their personal and professional lives.
Why Choose Greg Brown Orthodontics:
Are you a teen or adult in the Tri-Cities area who is experiencing excessive gum display when smiling and is interested in learning about both the cosmetic and dental benefits of treatment?
At Greg Brown Orthodontics, we specialize in evaluating both cosmetic and functional aspects of gummy smile cases. Trusted by patients across the Tri-Cities for our compassionate, personalized care, we offer advanced orthodontic techniques and comprehensive treatment planning.
We don’t simply look at a singular issue but evaluate your oral health as a whole. Often, we see that gummy smiles can be resolved entirely through other necessary dental treatments, eliminating costly or time-consuming procedures that were never needed in the first place.
Here, our staff provides our patients with a strong focus on education, transparency, and long-term oral health outcomes. We are more than happy to walk you through every step of the treatment, explain why we made the suggestions we did, and show you how your choices today will affect your oral health for decades to come.
Wondering if a gummy smile is affecting more than just your confidence? Schedule a consultation with Greg Brown Orthodontics to explore treatment options that support both your smile and your oral health.
