The smile is one of the most striking features of a person's personality. Every person has their own way of smiling. But there are cases where the smile shows more gums than usual. This is called a gummy smile. Find out everything you need to know about gummy smile treatment here.

Gummy Smile Treatment: What Is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile is a smile that shows all of the teeth and gums, either partially or completely. When they contract, the lips curl up and reveal the teeth and gum tissue to a greater or lesser extent.

This makes the mouth too open or too visible on the face. If you have these characteristics, you may want to consider gummy smile treatment.

What Can I Expect from Gummy Smile Treatment?

Gummy smile treatment helps to correct a physiological or muscular abnormality of the various elements of the facial anatomy. The elements to be corrected can be:

• An overgrown gum that rises too high on the upper jaw;
• An upper or lower lip that is too short, too thin, that does not sufficiently hide the gums;
• The upper lip lift muscles which can become overactive and unbalance the shape and position of the smile;
• A dental implant that is a little too high up towards the nose;
• The shape and position of the mandible which can be abnormal with a too short brake between the upper gum and the lip.

Gummy Smile Treatment: What Are the Different Options?

The treatment of a gummy smile depends on its importance, your budget and your aesthetic preferences.

Indeed, there are various solutions available to people who wish to have a gummy smile treatment. Depending on your wishes, the gums can be partially or completely hidden.

However, before you begin the gummy smile treatment, it is advisable to discuss the procedure with your plastic surgeon. He or she will help you decide on the best option. With digital imaging, you will be able to visualise the final result from photos taken before the procedure.

In the most common cases of gummy smile treatment, laser treatment is sufficient. However, it can be combined with botox injections.

Nevertheless, the treatment of a gummy smile can be complex. In this case, surgery is required. There is therefore a small risk of complications. The treatment of the gummy smile by surgery can, for example, cause bleeding, infections, or asymmetry of the smile.

This is why it is important to use a well experienced surgeon. In fact, here are some types of gummy smile treatment that you can use effectively:

Laser Treatment

Thanks to the development of microsurgery techniques, it is possible to treat a gummy smile quickly and permanently, without pain or surgery, by using a diode laser.

Botox Injections

Also known as hyaluronic acid or botulinum toxin, botox injections on the sides of the nose allow the treatment of the gummy smile, thanks to a relaxation of the upper lip lift muscle. The lips cover the exposed gums better.

Lipfit or Lip Plasty

This is an aesthetic surgery operation which allows the treatment of the gingival smile.

It is generally performed under local anaesthesia and aims to make a plasty of the upper lip. This plasty lowers the upper lip to cover the gums.

Gingivoplasty

Gingivoplasty or gingivectomy is an operation performed as part of the treatment of the gummy smile. Carried out by a dental surgeon, it allows the gums to regain a more harmonious shape.

Orthognathic Surgery on the Jawbone

This is the most extensive procedure for the treatment of a gummy smile, as it impacts the jawbone, in order to reduce its height. For this form of gummy smile treatment, the specialist surgeon will need to break and then reshape the upper jaw.