Fixing a Gummy Smile: What Can You Do?

Are you worried that your smile is too gummy? Do you feel self-conscious and want to hide your mouth when you’re happy and smiling?

If this sounds like you, and you want to fix your gummy smile, then you’re in the right place.  

What is a Gummy Smile?

Have you been told you’ve got a gummy smile, or do you think your smile looks different from everyone else’s? A gummy smile is nothing to worry about, it’s just a term that describes a smile that shows off more of your upper gums than perhaps you’d like.

It’s common, and even world-famous celebrities have been known to have gummy smiles. Celebrities known for gummy smiles include -

1. Nicole Kidman
2. Miley Cyrus
3. Gwen Stefani

How to Fix a Gummy Smile

If you’re considering gummy smile correction, you’ll be pleased to know there are a few treatment options available to you. The most common methods for how to get rid of a gummy smile include -

• Dermal fillers
• Dental veneers
• Orthodontic treatment
• Laser gum contouring

Let’s take a closer look at these options...

Dermal Fillers or Botox for Gummy Smile

This is probably the easiest and most straightforward method for how to fix a gummy smile. By using Botox to plump out the area around your upper lip, and freeze the muscles that work when you smile, a gummy smile can be drastically improved. At Este, we’re often asked, ‘how long does gummy smile Botox last’, and you’ll be pleased to hear you can expect to enjoy these results for around four to seven months.

Dermal fillers work in a similar fashion to Botox, but they do not affect the muscles in the area. So, if your gummy smile is mild, dermal fillers can be used to boost the upper lip and balance out the teeth to gum ratio when you smile. You can expect to enjoy the results for around three to six months. And if you liked what your fillers did for you, you can simply have a top-up when the effects have worn off.

Dermal Veneers

If you’re looking for a more permanent gummy smile treatment, veneers may be the choice for you.

Dental veneers can be used to create the illusion of bigger teeth – so if your smile is gummy because your teeth are on the smaller side, by balancing them out with larger veneers, the look can be evened out. Porcelain laminate veneers should last around 10 to 12 years, which is ideal if you’re absolutely certain you want to change the way your smile looks.

At Este, we provide dental veneer treatment in conjunction with our state-of-the-art sister clinic in Istanbul.

Orthodontic Treatment

If your gummy smile is down to misaligned teeth, you might be able to fix it with the help of an orthodontic treatment. Fixing a gummy smile using braces or Invisalign is a popular way to sort out your smile if the issue is relatively minor. Try speaking to your dentist in the first instance.

Laser Gum Contouring

Laser gum contouring might sound like something from the future, but it’s been around for a while, and dentists can use it to sort out a number of dental concerns. If you’re considering this treatment to fix your gummy smile, you’ll be pleased to hear that the procedure can usually be completed in one sitting.

Laser gum contouring works to raise and adjust the gum line so that the end result is a smile that is more in proportion. So, if excessive gingival display is your main concern, this could be the route for you.

Is a Gummy Smile Ugly?

‘Is a gummy smile attractive?’ is one of those questions that doesn’t come with a definitive answer. That’s because, we’re all unique and while one person might love the look of a gummy smile and find it endearing, someone else may really hate the way it looks.

If you’re happy with your smile – whether it’s gummy or not – then there’s no reason to go about fixing a problem that isn’t there. If someone else has made you feel bad about the way your smile looks, the problem isn’t with your smile – it's with them. The easiest route to happiness and contentment is to be confident in your own skin, and learn to love what you’ve been given.

Book a consultation at your nearest Este UK clinic to see how we can help you.