You look the best when you let your inhibitions go, your eyes become small, and you let your beautiful pearly whites show when your smile takes centre stage. The importance of a smile is often underrepresented; it is the singular non-verbal cue that speaks volume even without uttering a word. That is how powerful a smile can be!
However, for some people, this act of simple joy may be a reason for stress and worry because they are affected by a gummy smile. So, what is a gummy smile? To put it in simple words, a gummy smile is when your smile displays more of your gums than it should. Clinically, this condition is known as an excessive gingival display. A typical smile showcases 2/3rd to 3/4th of the teeth, while the rest and the gums are covered by the lips over it. When more than 3 mm of gum is visible as a continuous band while smiling, it is considered to be a gummy smile.
A gummy smile can be a cause of concern for some people and may make them conscious in a social setting when they smile. Some people might consider it to be unappealing or unaesthetic. Whether your smile is gummy or not is also a personal preference. However, if your gummy smile is bothering you, you can easily get it treated by a periodontist near you. It is also worth noting that females tend to have more of a gummy smile than males. Dr. Sanz is a board-certified periodontist at Wilmington Periodontics and Implants, who specialises in treating cases of the excessive gingival display to give you a smile you desire.
A smile is influenced by the gumline as well. If your teeth are too small or short, you may feel like you have a gummy smile. Having crooked and irregularly placed teeth can also give you the perception of having a gummy smile. The amount of gums displayed also depends on how your lips move when you smile. Having a short upper lip can also put more of your gums on display. A gummy smile can even be a side effect of certain medications like phenytoin, which leads to gum enlargement. Lastly, increased vertical facial growth or maxillary excess when your upper jaw has overgrown can also be a reason for your gummy smile. Consulting a skilled Delaware periodontist near you will help you to know the cause of your gummy smile. With the help of your periodontist in Delaware, you can make a well-informed decision regarding the treatment of your gummy smile. We at Wilmington Periodontics and Implants strongly believe that your gummy smile should not be a cause of stress to you, and we aim to provide you with the best treatment for your gummy smile.
When too much of your gums cover your teeth surface, it can give a perception of having a gummy smile. If this is the case with you, your periodontist in Delaware will recommend you undergo a gingivectomy. Gingivectomy is a surgical procedure in which your periodontist in Wilmington will remove some of the excess gums and, at the same time, reshape them to reveal more of your teeth’s surface. This procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia to ensure that you feel no pain. Gingivectomy in Wilmington can be done by a scalpel or even a laser. Once the surgical site heals, you will be able to appreciate longer teeth, and your gummy smile will be gone!
If the position of your lips is found out to be the cause of your gummy smile, then your periodontist in Wilmington might suggest lip repositioning surgery. This surgical procedure will alter the position of your lips relative to your teeth. Dr. Sanz at Wilmington Periodontics and Implants use local anaesthesia for this surgery. Once adequate anaesthesia has been achieved, your Delaware periodontist will make two-incision on the inside of your upper lip, remove a specific amount of tissue, bring the lip to the intended position and stitch up the incisions. Your periodontist in Wilmington will also prescribe antibiotics and pain medications for some time. The recovery period for lip reposition surgery at Wilmington is about a week.
If you think you may have a gummy smile, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanz at Wilmington Periodontics and Implants to get it treated. If you have any questions, you can call us, and our team of outstanding dental professionals will be there to assist you.
