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Gummy Smile Correction

  • Standard Recovery Time:
    Varies
  • Average Cost:
    Varies
  • Anesthesia Required:
    Yes
Gummy Smile Correction Financing in Canada from Beautifi

About Gummy Smile Correction

The term “gummy smile” refers to the condition in which an individual’s smile reveals excess gum, affecting the person’s confidence when smiling. The gums, in addition to the teeth, contribute to the overall appearance of a smile. Although gummy smiles typically do not impair function, treatment options for different causes of a gummy smile are available to help improve the gum-to-tooth ratio.

Commonly asked questions about Gummy Smile Correction

1. What are gummy smile treatments?

Gummy smile treatments can address several factors that contribute to a gummy smile. Treatments for gummy smiles address or alter features such as tooth shape, hyperactive lip movement, tooth crown length, and jaw angle to produce a more aesthetically pleasing appearance of the gums & teeth and achieve the perfect smile.

2. Why is treatment and/or corrective surgery for a gummy smile done?

Although a gummy smile does not affect the function of the teeth or gums, the gums contribute to the aesthetic of an individual’s smile. The size and shape of the teeth, the range of lip movement, the length of the lips, and/or an overextended jaw are all potential reasons for a gummy smile. Solutions for a gummy smile range from purely cosmetic to physical, corrective surgeries.

3. Am I a good candidate for a gummy smile treatment?

Before beginning treatment for a gummy smile, individuals should consult with their preferred surgeon and orthodontist to determine which treatment option is the best solution. If you are in good overall health, have a “gummy smile,” or genetically predisposed to short teeth, then periodontal plastic surgery may be recommended.

4. When to consider gummy smile treatment?

In cases where individuals find the extra gum in their smile to be unaesthetic, gummy smile treatment may be a solution. Depending on the cause of the gummy smile, different treatments may be recommended to result in an aesthetically pleasing smile. A person with a gummy smile may show more than two millimeters of gum when smiling. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including:

  • Smaller than average teeth
  • Shorter or raised upper lip
  • Excessive gum tissue covering part of the tooth
  • Larger or overextended maxilla (upper jaw bone)

5. What are the different types of gummy smile treatments?

Due to gummy smiles being caused by one or more factors relating to the gums, teeth, jaw, or lips, each of these areas will require a different treatment. Treatment options for a gummy smile include, but are not limited to:

Lip Repositioning – This procedure permanently corrects a gummy smile caused by a hyperactive upper lip and natural upper lip positioning. A section of connective tissue is removed from inside the upper lip, limiting the movement of the hyperactive elevator muscles. The upper lip is fixed in a new, lower position, resulting in limited movement and a reduced display of the gums.

Crown Lengthening – When there is damage or caries below the gum line, the gum line is surgically repositioned to reveal more tooth structure. By lengthening the portion of the tooth that is visible in the mouth, shorter teeth appear longer, while damage beneath the gum line is repaired.

Botox – Botox treatments temporarily paralyze the elevator muscles in the lip, preventing the lip from moving too far over the gumline. Treatments are recommended every three to four months to maintain the gum-to-tooth ratio appearance.

Jaw Surgery – If the jaw is the cause of excessive gingival display, orthognathic surgery may be recommended. Jaw surgery can be used to balance the length of the upper and lower jaws or to reposition the jaw up and back to reduce the amount of gum visible when smiling.

Oral Surgery – This procedure, also known as gum contouring or gingivectomy, may be recommended by your preferred dentist if the gums cover too much of the tooth surface. The periodontist or surgeon will use a scalpel or laser to trim or reshape the gums, removing excess gum tissue and exposing more of the tooth’s surface.

6. How long does gummy smile treatments take to perform?

Depending on the complexity of the procedure, gummy smile treatments can take five to ten minutes for Botox injections and thirty minutes to an hour for lip repositioning and crown lengthening. Surgery to correct a gummy smile typically takes at least two to three hours.

7. What is recovery like after gummy smile treatments?

The recovery time following gummy smile treatment is determined by the type of treatment. Non-surgical treatments may cause minor pain and discomfort, with no to little downtime required. More recovery time may be required for surgical or corrective gummy smile treatments. Recovery time can range from one week to several months, depending on the post-operative treatment plan devised by you and your preferred orthodontist or maxillofacial surgeon.

8. How much does gummy smile treatment cost in Canada?

The cost of gummy smile treatment will be determined primarily by the type of treatment chosen, as well as the geographic location, the complexity of the treatment, and the health provider’s technique/experience. In Canada, the average cost of gummy smile treatments ranges from $500 to $20,000.

9. What are the treatment risks for a gummy smile?

Although rare, there are risks to any surgical or cosmetic procedure. Risks associated with gummy smile treatment surgery include:

  • Infection
  • Difficulty chewing/ drinking
  • Asymmetrical smile
  • Speech problems
  • Need for further surgery

With non-surgical options, risks are limited but may include:

  • Pain, swelling, and bruising
  • Discomfort
  • Headaches