What is Gummy Smile?
When you smile, does it seem like your upper teeth seem to be out of balance with too much excessive gum tissue? Does it also look like your upper teeth seem too short compared to the amount of gum tissue displayed when you smile? If this is indeed the case, you may have an issue that is commonly called a gummy smile, or excessive gingival display.
A gummy smile can have a negative impact on your perception of your smile. But your gummy smile can be easily corrected with a few different treatment options, one being gum contouring.
Nothing but absolute perfection is acceptable at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. The entire staff focuses on a warm, patient, and caring experience for your dental care. Every day, every appointment, every procedure, the team concentrates on earning and maintaining your trust. We are proud to collaborate with you and your family, and each team member participates in continuing education to always apply the recent innovative technological advancements in the dental industry. Whether it is a regular checkup exam or a procedure for a Gummy Smile, simply call us at Rock Hill - (803) 324-8141 or Charlotte - (704) 275-3750, and schedule your appointment today. You can easily find us at 1144 India Hook Rd., #D, Rock Hill, SC, 29732 or 3111 Springbank Lane, Ste F, Charlotte, NC 28226.
An attractive smile is more than straight, white teeth, but also the proper ratio between the teeth and the gums that are visible. A gummy smile will show more gum than is considered desirable. If your gummy smile is bothering you, simple gum contouring can restore an aesthetically pleasing balance between your teeth and gums when you smile.
eddy periodontics & implant dentistry
Our Highly Skilled & Compassionate Team
Our team, led by Dr. Nelson Eddy, a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology, and his son, Dr. Joseph Eddy, combines decades of experience with advanced training to provide exceptional care for every patient.
Some Causes of a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile does not mean there is anything fundamentally or functionally wrong with your teeth or gums. The perfect ratio between your gums and your teeth is usually a cosmetic issue, and even then, it is not a problem unless you become self-conscious about it. However, it might happen because the teeth did not emerge properly from your gums, which is a condition called delayed passive eruption. It can also happen if your upper lip pulls back farther than normal during your smile.
Your smile can also look gummy if your teeth are proportionally smaller or have become worn down. Whatever the case, Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry can easily correct your gummy smile and with gum contouring modify your gum-line. Here are a few examples of some causes:
- An excessive display of gum tissue in your upper arch can be the result of the abnormal eruption of your teeth. Teeth that are covered with excessive gum tissue appear shorter, even though they are of normal length.
- The muscle that controls the movement of your upper lip might be hyperactive, which then causes your upper lip to lift a little higher than normal. With this more of your gum tissue is exposed when you smile.
- The way your upper jawbone grew and developed can cause the appearance of a gummy smile. For example, if there is an excessive bulging protrusion of your upper jaw within the gum tissue, you will experience a gummy appearance when you smile.
Is It Just an Aesthetic Problem?
The smile line or aesthetic zone, which is the teeth that are showing while you smile, is determined by several contributing factors, including:
- The shape and size of your front teeth.
- Your visible gum tissues.
- The shape and size of your lips.
- Your facial muscles.
The ideal smile line appearance should actually reveal just a small amount of gum tissue. Your gum tissue visible in your smile line should be balanced, with even contours that are in harmony or parallel with your upper lip. This is the reason that many people with a gummy smile find their smile to be unattractive, often actually feeling reluctant to share their smile.
More serious underlying dental conditions might be present. If you do have a gummy smile as a result of how the teeth erupted or how your jaw developed, you might also have an uncomfortable or improper bite that will ultimately affect your long-term oral health.
The Different Treatment Options for a Gummy Smile
If you think you have a gummy smile, visit your caring team at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry for an evaluation and your treatment options. There have been studies completed to determine what is considered an excessive gingival display. The results state that smiles are attractive when two millimeters or less of gum tissue is exposed. Around three millimeters or more, the smile was considered gummy. We will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to identify the extent of your excessive gingival display and the probable causes. This examination might include conventional or digital impressions of your teeth and gums. We might also need to capture X-rays so that we can examine your tooth roots and jawbone as well. Treatment at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry may include one or more of the following:
- Same-day laser treatments in straight forward, minor cases.
- Surgical sculpting of your gingival tissues and bone to create healthier, natural, and more attractive looking gum contours.
- Surgical lip repositioning.
- Orthodontics, braces, to move the teeth into correct positions if the issue deals with alignment.
- Maxillofacial surgery to reposition the bone.
Your professionally trained team at Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry can also perform a crown lengthening procedure to correct the appearance of your gummy smile. During this treatment, we remove the excess gum tissue, and possibly even bone, to expose more of the tooth’s crown. This gum contouring procedure can be performed on one or more teeth to deliver an even gum line for a more healthy-looking smile.
The American Academy of Periodontology claims that the benefits of gum contouring procedures actually include increased comfort, self-confidence and self-esteem when smiling, eating, and speaking, as well as improved periodontal health.
Bone Grafting
When teeth are extracted or oral cysts are removed, the underlying jawbone can deteriorate. This can result in a sunken facial appearance and make dental implant placement more difficult. A bone graft is a straightforward procedure that promotes the growth of new bone cells, helping to restore your oral health and prepare you for further treatments.
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Sedation Dentistry
Patient comfort is a top priority for us. To ensure your procedure is both safe and pain-free, we offer various sedation options. Depending on the specifics of your procedure, we may recommend nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation. We hope these options provide you with peace of mind as you prepare for your treatment.
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Variety Of Services For All Your Needs
At Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our goal is to give each patient personalized attention, taking the time to thoroughly understand their needs and concerns. We offer detailed evaluations and comprehensive care to ensure our patients leave feeling positive and in excellent oral health. Explore the treatments we offer to learn more.
Eddy Periodontics and Implant Dentistry Earns Your Trust with Our Warm and Caring Focus
Our team is methodical in our approach, concentrating on your well-being through your procedure and your daily life. We appreciate the anxiety and apprehension that often comes with dental care, and therefore we take the time and effort necessary to make you comfortable throughout. Call us today at Rock Hill - (803) 324-8141 or Charlotte - (704) 275-3750 with any questions you may have or to schedule a Dental Implant restoration, and we look forward to seeing you at 1144 India Hook Rd., #D, Rock Hill, SC, 29732 or 3111 Springbank Lane, Ste F, Charlotte, NC 28226.