What Can Be Done About the Gummy Smile?

The upper lip should rest at or slightly above the top of the teeth in a perfect grin. According to popular consensus, a maximum grin is appropriate with 1 to 2 millimeters of gum exposure. However, some people's top lip and upper teeth are separated by a wide gap when they smile, revealing a lot of gum tissue and giving off the dreaded "gummy" grin. A hyperactive muscle that elevates the top lip excessively, a thin upper lip that rolls under while smiling, excessive gum coverage of the upper teeth, and a lengthy upper jaw are only a few causes of the gummy grin. The cause of the gummy grin issue may be determined by carefully examining the smile both when the person is not smiling and when they are smiling.

Removal of gum tissue

The traditional minimally invasive procedure, also known as a gingivoplasty, involves the removal of gum tissue. One must be careful not to remove too much gum tissue as this could expose the tooth's root portion and cause chronic sensitivity. Gingivoplasty is the removal of extra gum tissue from the top part of the teeth, lengthening the tooth and reducing the amount of gum tissue exposed between the lip and the teeth. In certain cases, dental veneers may be applied during this process to assist improve the quantity of visible tooth.

Invasive

Botox injections and over-the-counter fillers are examples of less invasive therapies. Reduce the amount that the upper lip lifts upward by injecting Botox into the overactive muscles that raise it. This will lessen the appearance of a gummy grin. However, like with other Botox injections, the effects will only endure for a maximum of four months. However, it may be quite helpful for someone with a wide-open grin. Injectable fillers like Juvaderm or Perlane may be applied to assist somewhat lower the vermilion border, which is the bottom margin of the upper lip, if the top lip is also very thin. These injectable fillers may last up to six months, which is a longer duration than Botox. In a few instances, I've combined the two, which generally produces a better result than each one done alone.

Lower lip descent

An upper lip lowering technique is another way to lessen a "high lip line." The 1970s saw the original introduction of this little procedure, although it has only lately gained in popularity. It is performed under local anesthesia and entails reattaching the gum tissue beneath the lip at a level that is closer to the teeth (there is no surgery performed on the visible lip in this procedure). As a consequence, the lip line is not only lowered while the mouth is closed but also has less room to rise when smiling. By reducing the depth of the vestibule (the area between the upper lip and the gum tissue just under the lip), this treatment helps to slightly lower the lip.

In situations with a severe gummy grin, the long face syndrome and skeletal issue are present. Simply put, the upper jaw has sunk too far. In doing so, it drags the teeth far beyond the top lip and exposes an excessive amount of gum tissue, often up to 5 to 8 millimeters. These individuals also struggle to assemble their lips due to the appearance of a pseudo-short top lip. A wedge of upper jaw bone must be removed during upper jaw surgery (LeFort I impaction) to correct the problem and enable the upper jaw's visible tooth portion to "go back up under the top lip."

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An accurate assessment to ascertain what anatomical issues are behind the appearance of the gummy grin is the foundation for the most effective therapy. With gingivoplasty, injectable therapies, or a lip lowering operation, minor aesthetic alterations may be made. Bone surgery is necessary for massive gummy smile correction.

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