Gummy Smile Treatment Options
Different treatment alternatives exist since there is more than one cause of gummy smiles. Depending on the cause of the problem, dental professionals should advise you of one or more of the following treatment options.
1. Orthodontic treatment
If a gummy smile is caused by misaligned teeth, braces or clear aligners can help to move them into the correct position.
Pros: Orthodontic treatment can help to correct misaligned teeth and improve the overall appearance of the smile. It is a non-surgical option that can be completed in a relatively short amount of time.
Cons: Orthodontic treatment may not be effective for all cases of a gummy smile.
2. Gingivectomy
This surgical procedure involves removing excess gum tissue to expose more teeth.
Pros: Gingivectomy can provide immediate results and requires only local anesthesia. It is a relatively simple procedure that can be completed quickly.
Cons: There is a risk of infection or bleeding after the procedure. There is also a chance that the gums may grow back over
3. Crown lengthening
This is a procedure of removing gum tissue and bone to expose more of the tooth’s surface.
Pros: Crown lengthening can provide a more proportionate smile by exposing more teeth. It can also improve the health of the gums by removing excess tissue that is difficult to clean.
Cons: The procedure can be invasive, requiring the removal of both gum tissue and bone. It may also cause sensitivity or discomfort in the teeth and gums after the procedure. In addition, crown lengthening may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with thin gum tissue or insufficient bone.
4. Lip repositioning surgery
This procedure involves adjusting the position of the upper lip to cover more of the gums when smiling.
Pros: Lip repositioning surgery can provide a dramatic improvement in the appearance of a gummy smile. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves adjusting the position of the upper lip, and it can be completed in a single visit.
Cons: Lip repositioning surgery may not be effective for all cases of a gummy smile, particularly those caused by an overgrown jaw or misaligned teeth. It may also cause temporary numbness or discomfort in the lip, and there is a risk of complications such as infection or scarring. Additionally, the results of the procedure may be less predictable than other treatment options.
5. Orthognathic Surgery
Your dentist can also fix a gummy smile through orthognathic surgery if the jaw causes your gummy teeth. In this procedure, the length of your lower and upper jaws is balanced. However, your orthodontist might need to consult a maxillofacial surgeon before the surgery. In some cases, you might need to get some other orthodontic treatments like wearing braces so that your teeth are well-aligned.
Pros:
- Orthognathic surgery is highly effective, and long-lasting, and improves the overall function of the jaw by realigning the teeth and correcting any bite issues that may have been present before the procedure.
Cons:
- Orthognathic surgery is a major surgical procedure that involves cutting and repositioning the jawbone. This makes it a highly invasive treatment option that requires significant recovery time and carries the risk of complications such as nerve damage, bleeding, and infection.
6. Botox (Botulinum Toxin A / BTX-A)
By getting injected with botulinum toxin, widely known as botox, you can get rid of a gummy smile. The idea of this treatment is to paralyze the muscles that elevate your upper lip higher than enough.
Pros: Botox is an easy-to-use, safe, and economical way of gummy smile treatment. BTX-A has a lifespan of 5 months.
Cons: This is only a short-time solution – after the 5th month, the effects of Botox gradually decrease.
7. Hyaluronic Acid
This technique is similar to Botox in some respects. Again, the idea is to restrict the hyperactive movements of the muscles in the upper lift. Instead of botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid is injected in this procedure.
Pros: Hyaluron therapy for a gummy smile is fast, easy, and cheap.
Cons: The effect lasts for only about eight months. Sometimes this procedure can have severe complications.
Coldy Dent approaches gummy smiles with detailed diagnostics, finding the least invasive and permanent solution that improves smile, function, and overall health.