Gummy Smile & Gum Contouring
Indianapolis & Fishers, IN
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
A gummy smile can have a negative effect on the perception of your smile
When you smile, do your upper teeth look shorter than you'd like, or do you feel that too much of your gum tissue is showing? This is commonly referred to as a "gummy smile," a condition in which a larger portion of your gums is visible when you smile. While there's nothing medically wrong with having a gummy smile, some people feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth and gums.
There are several reasons why someone might have a gummy smile. In some cases, excess gum tissue covers part of the teeth, making them appear smaller than they actually are. Other possible causes include the way your upper lip moves when you smile, the position of your teeth, or the shape of your upper jaw. Understanding what's causing the excess gum display is an important part of deciding which treatment will work best.
For patients whose teeth are partially covered by excess gum tissue, gum contouring may be an option. This procedure involves carefully removing and reshaping gum tissue to expose more of the natural teeth and create a more even gumline. Depending on the position of the gums and underlying bone, a different procedure, such as crown lengthening, may be recommended instead.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer cosmetic periodontal procedures for patients who would like to change the appearance of their gums. We'll take a look at your smile, discuss what you'd like to improve, and explain which treatments may help you achieve those changes. To schedule a consultation, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273.
Award Winning Periodontics
in Indianapolis and Fishers
Dedication to providing the best periodontal care to Indianapolis and Fishers isn't just something Drs. Edwards and Christman talk about. They have gone above and beyond what most periodontists do to master his field of work. They have sought out further education to bring the most promising new treatments to their patients.
Some Causes of a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile does not necessarily mean there is anything fundamentally wrong with your teeth or gums. The ratio between the gums and the teeth is a usually cosmetic issue, and even at that it is not a problem unless you feel self-conscious about it. However, it may occur because the teeth did not emerge properly from the gums, a condition called delayed passive eruption. It may also happen if your upper lip pulls back farther than normal when you smile.
Your smile can also look gummy if your teeth are proportionally small or have become severely worn down. Regardless, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics can correct your gummy smile and, with gum contouring, modify your gum-line. Here are a few examples of some causes:
- The muscle that controls the movement of your upper lip could be hyperactive, which causes your upper lip to lift higher than normal. With this movement, more of your gum tissue is exposed when you smile.
- An excessive display of gum tissue in your upper jaw may be the result of the abnormal eruption of your teeth. Teeth that are covered by excessive gum tissue appear shorter, even though they may be the proper length.
- The way in which your upper jawbone grew and developed could cause the appearance of a gummy smile. For example, if there is an excessive bulging protrusion of the upper jaw within the gum tissue, you would experience an obvious gummy appearance when you smile.
Is It Just an Aesthetic Problem?
The smile line, or aesthetic zone (the teeth that are showing when you are smiling) is determined by several contributing factors, including:
- The shape and size of your teeth.
- Your gum tissues.
- The shape and size of your lips.
- Your facial muscles.
The ideal smile line appearance should reveal the least amount of gum tissue possible. Your gum tissue visible in your smile line should have balanced, even contours that are in harmony with your upper lip. It is for this reason that many people with a gummy smile find their smile to be unattractive, often feeling reluctant to smile at all.
More serious underlying dental conditions could be present. If you have a gummy smile as a result of how the teeth erupted and how your jaw developed, you may also have an uncomfortable or improper bite that could ultimately affect your long-term oral health.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Contact Our Team Today
The Different Treatment Options for a Gummy Smile
If you think you have a gummy smile, visit Implant Dentistry and Periodontics for an evaluation and treatment options. There have been studies done to determine what is considered excessive gingival display. It shows that smiles are attractive when two millimeters or less of gum tissue is exposed. At around three millimeters or more, the smile was thought to be gummy. We will examine your mouth, teeth, and gums to determine the extent of the excessive gingival display and the possible causes. This examination may include conventional or digital impressions of your teeth and gums. We may also need to capture X-rays so that your tooth roots and jawbone can be carefully examined as well. Treatment at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics could include one or more of the following:
- Same-day laser treatments in minor cases.
- Surgical Sculpting of the gingival tissues and bone to create healthier and more attractive-looking gum contours.
- Surgical lip repositioning.
- Orthodontics (braces) to move the teeth into more suitable positions.
- Maxillofacial surgery to reposition the bone.
The professionally trained team at Implant Dentistry and Periodontics can perform a crown lengthening procedure to correct the appearance of your gummy smile. During this procedure, we will remove the excess gum tissue, and possibly bone, to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This gum contouring procedure can be performed on one or more teeth to create an even gum line or a more natural-looking smile.
The American Academy of Periodontology states that the benefits of gum contouring procedures include increased comfort, self-esteem, and self-confidence when smiling, eating, and speaking, as well as improved periodontal health.
State of the Art Technology
For Advanced Periodontics
Offering the best periodontal care in the world requires the most advanced technology in the world. Drs. Edwards and Christman are always in search of new ways to provide patients with better results and do so in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to adopt technologies that make it easier to communicate with patients and allow us to do our jobs in more environmentally friendly ways.
Earning your Trust with High Quality Periodontal Care
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we know that every patient comes to us with different concerns. Before recommending treatment, we want to hear what's bothering you, what you'd like to accomplish, and what your budget is. From there, we'll go over your options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation. Our office also uses modern dental technology to assist with planning and treatment.
We know that dental appointments aren't exactly something most people look forward to. That's why we make a point of explaining what to expect, giving you time to ask questions, and doing what we can to keep you comfortable during your visit. If you'd like to schedule an appointment, you can reach our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600, located at 8801 North Meridian St., Suite 103, or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273, located at 9885 E. 116th St., Suite 300.