Sometimes when a person smiles or talks there is a visible excess of pinkish gum tissue. This excess gum tissue display is more commonly known as a ‘gummy smile’. The most recent figures show that around 7 per cent of men and 14 per cent of women suffer from excess gum display when fully smiling. The condition is associated with a large upper jaw, short upper lip or an increased forward position of the two front teeth.
There are several treatments available for gummy smiles. It is most commonly corrected by periodontal surgery, but other corrective treatments include orthodontic treatment or jaw surgery. In some instances all three are used in combination.
Orthodontic treatment is usually used when the patient is still developing. Lasting one to three years, depending on the severity of the problem and the rate of growth of the patients face, orthodontic treatments are made form ceramic and metal and can either be removable or fixed. The appliances gently apply force to the required area which will lessen the visibility if the gums.
Periodontal surgery usually involves gingival reshaping or gum contouring. By removing some of the excess gum tissue with a laser it will increase the length of the crown and eliminate the gummy smile effect.
Some dentists will also consider repositioning the lips to make the gummy smile less obvious. As with all dental treatments it very much depends on the individual patient. If you think you suffer from a gummy smile consult a London dentist who will be able to inform you of the best methods of treatment.

An excess gingival display, or as it is more commonly known ‘gummy smile’, is a condition where too much of the pinkish gum tissue is visible when a person speaks or smiles. Figures show that approximately 7% of men and 14% of women suffer from the condition when smiling fully. Excess gingival display is most often associated with a short upper lip, an enlarged upper jaw, short upper front teeth or an increased forward position of the front teeth. It can also be attribute to an unusually large tooth or lip length.

Several treatment s are available for gummy smiles. It can be corrected by orthodontic treatment, jaw surgery, periodontal surgery or a combination of all three of these procedures. Usually lasting from one to three years, orthodontic appliance treatment depends on the severity of the problem, the growth of the patients face and the cooperation of the patient. The custom made appliances which are usually constructed form metal, ceramic or plastic can be either removable or fixed and gently apply force in a controlled way to achieve the desired effect.

Other common treatments include periodontal gingival reshaping. This process involves lengthening the crown by removing some of the excess gum tissue to make the teeth appear longer using dental lasers. Lip repositioning to make the gums appear less intrusive is also an option to treat a gummy smile. A city of London dentist will be able to advise you on the best way forward to give you the smile you have always wanted.

Cosmetic dentistry is one of the upcoming fields of dentistry. We live in an aesthetic world wherein people are conscious about the way they look. Your social image is dependant on how you project yourself to the public and hence more people have joined the bandwagon.

They say a smile at times is all that it takes to get things done. So imagine that you are smiling and the result is denial. Gummy smiles are one among the most common problems that London dentists are said to come across. They get several patients who want their smiles beautified and corrected so that they do not look stupid when they smile. So much is the need that gummy smile rectification forms a major portion of the revenue obtained from cosmetic surgery. There are two procedures employed to rectify gummy smiles namely gingivectomy and crown lengthening. Gummy smiles are classified into mild, moderate, advanced and severe based on the proportion of the smile that the gums occupy.

Generally, for mild and moderate conditions gingivectomy is employed which involves the use of a dental laser to remove a minimum amount of gums. The process is also known as radiosurgery and it is completely painless, does not require sutures and the gum tissues heal within two weeks. On the other hand, advanced and severe forms of gummy smiles require a more extensive tissue reduction technique such as crown lengthening. Initially the gum tissue will be repositioned to the desired level and left to heal for a week or so. After the initial healing, the sutures are removed and another 5-7 weeks later, a crown lengthening procedure is administered followed by porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns to achieve the desired beautiful smile.

So if you are ashamed of your smile, all you need is to visit your dentist and he will do the rest.

Even though your teeth may be perfectly straight, your gums may be a very prominent part of your smile. Regardless of whether this develops because of medication you are taking, or you naturally have a “gummy smile”, it can be a serious disfigurement. In a similar way, if your gums are receding, or have been damaged by injury, there are dental procedures that can help you. Fortunately, you can visit a London dentist and learn more about gum contouring procedures.

As you may be ware, most cases of gum overgrowth involve the gum tissue directly above the front teeth. In some cases, your dentist may be able to remove this excess gum tissue in just a few minutes. If you need additional work, this can also be performed without much difficulty. That said, if your teeth also need reshaping, this may require additional visits.

Gum contouring procedures can also be used to restore the shape of the gums around your teeth for other reasons. In particular, if the gum tissue is receding, your dentist can use grafts and other procedures to restore a healthy amount of tissue in that area. This, in turn, may alleviate any number of dental problems. At the very least, it will ensue that your teeth have adequate support from the surrounding tissues.

While many people consider a “gummy smile” to be a cosmetic issue, it can also interfere with chewing and breathing. Therefore, if you have excess gum tissue, it would be of benefit to talk to your dentist about having it removed. On the other side of the equation, if your gums are receding, it is absolutely vital to talk to your dentist about having gum contouring procedures to alleviate the situation. Aside from helping restore or recreate a beautiful smile, gum contouring procedures can help ensure that your teeth remain healthy, durable, and useful for the remainder of your life.

If you feel like you have a “gummy” smile, that is, too much gum showing, then come by and see your London dentist. Your London dentist will evaluate your gummy problem and may suggest different courses of treatment, or gum contouring, to rectify this problem. Your teeth may appear to be too short. After performing a complete intra-oral examination and taking the appropriate X-rays, your London dentist will review your condition and recommend a solution. Sometimes when there a bulbous oral bone in front of your teeth, your gums will overextend by themselves and form what is called a “pseudo” pocket between your gum and tooth/teeth. This excess gum tissue can be removed by using a scalpel, special laser, or cauterising device. However, if the bony structure remains thick, there is a possibility for this gum tissue to grow back, however not to the original length. Some bony recontouring may also be necessary. There are also times when the teeth are severely misaligned and only one or two teeth show too much gum tissue. If the gum is thinner, gum recontouring will most likely be the procedure that is required. Your dentist will review all of this with you and see which choice is best for you. So, make an appointment to visit your London dental clinic.