Gummy Smile — Causes and Treatment Options
What Is a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile occurs when more than 2mm of the upper gum is exposed when smiling. If 2mm or less is visible, the smile is considered normal; if no upper gum is visible at all, the smile is considered ideal.
Statistics
According to statistics, 10–15% of the world's population has a gummy smile.
Causes of Gummy Smile
- Short upper lip that cannot cover the gum
- Gingival hyperplasia — overgrown gums that cover the teeth more than they should
- Facial skeletal anomaly
- Malocclusion with upper incisors shifted forward or downward
- Excessive activity of the orbicularis oris muscle
Treatment Methods
Botox injections — relax the muscle that raises the upper lip, reducing gum exposure.
Lip augmentation — adding volume with filler reduces lip mobility and gum exposure.
Orbicularis muscle surgery — surgical reduction of excessive muscle activity.
Frenuloplasty — correction of the upper lip frenulum, one of the simplest dental surgical procedures.
Gingivoplasty — when the cause is gingival hyperplasia, painless laser correction is possible.
Bite correction with braces — a gummy smile is often caused by malocclusion, making braces the primary solution.
At Orto Clinic Chisinau, we help identify the exact cause and choose the most appropriate treatment.