A gummy smile, the nontechnical term for a smile that shows a large amount of gum tissue, can be resolved with cosmetic dentistry techniques in a smile makeover. Patients do not typically suffer from ill health effects from a gummy smile but may feel emotional distress due to this cosmetic condition.
There are several causes of a gummy smile, also referred to as “excessive gingival display.” The most common may simply be caused by the patient having an overgrowth of the gum tissue on the top teeth that starts when the patient’s permanent teeth erupt. Patients with gummy smiles have likely experienced this issue since childhood. Other patients who have just noticed a change in gums should be evaluated to determine whether infection or side effects of common medications may be causing the condition.
Another common cause of a gummy smile is infection. Gums that are infected or inflamed can look larger and more prominent and appear to be covering more of the teeth. If gums are infected, this is a problem that should be taken care of by the dentist before any cosmetic work, such as a smile makeover, is performed on the patient’s smile. Gummy smiles usually do not indicate medical problems, but it is important for patients to be examined by a licensed dentist to ensure the status of oral health before developing a plan to get rid of excess gum tissue.
Choosing to alter gums may be based on what causes the gummy smile in the first place. It is possible that patients have too much gum tissue, move lips too much when smiling, have a misalignment in the jaw area, or simply have smaller-than-average teeth that exaggerate the appearance of the gums. Patients who have gummy smiles due to gum tissue growing over the teeth may choose to have the extra tissue removed in a gingivectomy, or gum tissue removal, during a smile makeover. Patients with jaw or lip issues may need to speak with the dentist about an individualized treatment plan that could involve injections with fillers or hyaluronic acid to restrict the movement of the lips.
A smile makeover is also a good time to have other services performed that make the teeth more prominent than the gums. Consider teeth whitening and filling in any gaps with bridges or implants to complete the appearance enhancement.
Gummy smiles do not typically represent health issues, but patients often find these smiles unattractive and wish to remove the excess tissue. A smile makeover from a dental professional can help patients maintain great oral health while changing the look of their smile and showing more clean, healthy teeth as a result. If patients have questions about how a makeover can improve the appearance of teeth or gums, it is important to get in touch with a dental professional for an evaluation.
Request an appointment here: https://www.allsmilesdentalcenter.com or call All Smiles Dental Center at (210) 714-7429 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Smile Makeover in San Antonio, TX.
Smiles are often the first thing people notice about one another, so feeling proud of your teeth is important. Being confident in your appearance goes a long way toward feeling good each day. If you are embarrassed by your grin, a smile makeover could boost your confidence level. Here are some things to consider before…
Getting a smile makeover can change the way you look and improve your health. There are many ways that the dentist can do this. The method of choice will depend on your condition and the severity of it. You may be feeling nervous or unsure about this process, so it is good to learn more…
Getting a smile makeover involves one or more procedures. It depends on the dental condition of the patient. The number of procedures also depends on what the dentist thinks would give the most favorable results. You and your dentist can talk about these and more at your first meeting. If you want to know what…
Many individuals of all ages find themselves in need of a smile makeover. This may be due to a number of reasons such as discolored, misaligned, misshapen or broken teeth. There are numerous treatment options today for dental patients to correct their smiles and feel happier and more confident.Dentists assess each patient's oral health and…
Your cosmetic dentist can help renew your smile. Many people hide dental problems most of…
Chipping a tooth can come as an unwelcome surprise. Fortunately, cosmetic dentists have many ways…
Keep reading for an overview of what bonding is and why it is used as…
When visiting a cosmetic dentist, most are looking for a smile makeover. Many procedures can…
Stepping into a cosmetic dentist’s clinic gives you the chance to look at how your…
During a smile makeover, a cosmetic dentist typically performs two or more procedures as part…
