Gummy smile , which shows the gums in a swollen and unhealthy way , is among the dental problems that disturb the individual aesthetically. It is also known as the gum smile. It can be treated with various methods.

What is Gummy Smile?

Gummy smile means that the gums of the person appear more than normal when talking or laughing. It is also known as the gum smile. It occurs due to various reasons.

What are the Causes of Gummy Smile?

The causes of gum smile are as follows:

• overgrowth of gum tissue covering the teeth
• Bone growth that develops on the outside of the upper jaw
• Inflammation due to gum disease
• Hypermobility of the upper lip muscle
• Small tooth height
• thin upper lip
• Overgrowth of the upper jaw in the vertical direction

Gummy smile can occur due to various reasons, treatment methods also vary. Therefore, the cause must be determined first. Then the appropriate treatment method should be selected.

Gum Smile Treatment

In the treatment of gummy smile, support is received from restorative dental treatments. The methods used vary according to the cause of the gummy smile. Therefore, the same treatment is not applied to everyone.

The treatment methods that can be applied for the gummy smile are as follows:

SRP Treatment

It is a treatment applied as a result of inflammation-induced growth of the gingival tissue. In this direction, your dentist applies scaling and root planning treatment to you. When the inflammation is treated, the most appropriate method is used by looking at whether the gingiva is suitable for shaping with various methods.

Crown Lengthening Operation

Gingivectomy is the process of extending the length of the tooth. Apically shifted flap procedures with or without bone resection are the preferred operations for crown lengthening. The main purpose of this method is to remove excess gingival tissue and thus to regulate the amount of gingiva on the anterior teeth. The treatment in question is painless . It is a frequently preferred method as it is both an effective and painless treatment.

Orthodontic Treatment for Gummy Smile

With orthodontic treatment, surgical treatment is applied to the jawbone and the upper jaw is buried up, thereby reducing the appearance of the gums. However, this application is not preferred as the first option for pink aesthetics.

Botox Method

If the cause of the gummy smile is the activity of the upper lip muscle, the botox method is used for treatment. It is a very simple and easy method.

Botox is applied to the muscles that pull the lip up and the function of the muscles is reduced by the injection. The applied botox process masks the lip and gingiva. In Botox application, the patient's lip is prevented from moving too much during laughing within 4-6 months. However, it is a method that must be applied again at the end of this period.

Lip Positioning Operation (Reverse Vestibuloplasty – Labial Reposition Flap)

Gum smile treatment can also be performed by removing tissue with reverse vestibuloplasty or gummy smile surgery. In this treatment, the area between the lip and gingiva is narrowed locally. With the tissue removal process, the upward movement of the lip is prevented. The lip moves less. In this way, the gingival appearance that disturbs the person while smiling is also minimized.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Smile Treatment

Is Gummy Smile Treatment a Painful Procedure?

Gum smile treatments are not major surgical procedures. Therefore, the pain is felt at a minimum level, although it varies with the chosen treatment method.

Is Botox Applied in Gummy Smile Treatment Harmful?

Botox used in the treatment of gum smile is not a harmful application.

Who Cannot Be Applied to Gummy Smile Treatment?

The treatment applied is an aesthetic procedure. It can be applied to all patients with aesthetic concerns.