Causes and Cosmetic Treatments for a Gummy Smile By Robert Madden

Introduction• Robert Madden, DDS, treats patients at Southwest Family

Dentistry, a practice located near Denver, Colorado. Dr. Robert Madden, who also holds an MBA, works with patients who require routine dental care and treatments, as well as those who are interested in cosmetic dentistry.

One cosmetic issue some people have regarding their smile is the length of the gums. They might be concerned that their gums appear too long, making the teeth appear shorter in comparison. For patients who wish to have cosmetic dental work done to remedy a gummy smile, it is important to consider first what is causing the smile to take on this appearance.

Gummy Smile• Sometimes, too much gum tissue might be causing the

cosmetic issue. For individuals in this situation, one possible solution is a crown-lengthening procedure that removes some gum tissue so that more of the teeth’s surface is visible. In other individuals, shorter teeth might be causing the appearance of a gummy smile. In these cases, covering the teeth with veneers or putting caps or crowns on them can make them look longer.

Additionally, the lips or the jaw could be contributing factors in the cosmetic issue. If the top lip rises up unusually far when a person smiles, Botox injections can be used to limit how high the lip raises, as can lip stabilization surgery. Finally, if a long jaw is a factor, surgery to reposition it may be a possibility.