Treating a Gummy Smile: How Can a Gummy Smile Be Corrected?

A gummy smile, also known as excessive gingival display, is a condition where too much gum tissue shows above the upper lip when a person smiles or opens their mouth. Many affected by this often refrain from smiling due to discomfort with their appearance, but fortunately, there are solutions! What treatments are available to address a gummy smile?

What Causes a Gummy Smile? There isn't a precise definition for a gummy smile, but it is typically described when more than 2 mm of gum is visible when smiling.

Several factors can contribute to the development of a gummy smile:

• Abnormal eruption of teeth (delayed passive eruption),

• Hyperactivity of the upper lip elevator muscle,

• Improper growth of the upper jaw,

• Excessive eruption of the front teeth of the upper jaw,

• A combination of the above.

Gummy Smile Correction: The Process of Gum Contouring If too much of the gum covers the tooth surface, your dentist may recommend a procedure known as gum contouring, which involves the removal of excess gum tissue.

During the consultation, the dentist will first perform the necessary dental examination.

It’s vital that the patient’s oral health is adequate before gum contouring: no cavities, gum diseases, or other oral conditions that would require dental treatment first.

Gum contouring is generally performed by a periodontist under local anesthesia, which numbs the gum area.

During the procedure, the doctor uses a soft tissue laser or scalpel to remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gum line to expose more of the tooth.

Sutures may be needed to secure the gum tissue.

The duration of the procedure varies depending on the extent of contouring and generally takes about 1-2 hours.

Cost of Gummy Smile Surgery At Fehérvári Dental, the treatment cost for a Gummy smile in 2024 is 50,000 HUF per tooth, and with lip filling (using hyaluronic acid or Botox) it is 70,000 HUF per piece.

Our periodontal treatments are available only at Árkád, Haifa, Teleki Dental, Oktogon, and Dentium Implant Centers. Click here for current prices.

Gummy Smile Treatment A gummy smile can be treated. If the lips move excessively upwards over the gum line when smiling, botulinum toxin injections can successfully inhibit the upper lip elevator muscle. As the substance is absorbed over time, the injections need to be repeated approximately every six months. Another temporary correction method for a gummy smile may involve injections of hyaluronic acid filler.

Gummy Smile Treatment by Fehérvári Dental's Expert Physicians Since our establishment in 1997, we strive to provide the highest quality and comprehensive care for your family, from toddlers to great-grandparents. Our specialists cover all areas of dentistry, thus complex treatments requiring multiple dental specialists can also be managed on-site. Our team's professional and coordinated operation is evident throughout the entire care process - from specialist consultations to administrative tasks.

Our dental office represents high standards in both layout and technical equipment. Our three-story clinic features three modern treatment rooms and a diagnostic imaging area (panoramic X-ray, teleradiography, CBCT, intraoral). A spacious elevator connects the floors, which is conveniently accessible for patients with limited mobility and those with strollers.

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