Is a Gummy Smile Considered a Pathology?
Another colloquial term for this anatomical feature is "horse smile," indicating that it often becomes a source of complexes for many people. A gummy smile is not considered a pathology. Some people believe it adds a certain charm, considering it a unique feature. Even among media personalities, who are particularly concerned about their appearance, there is no consensus on whether to remove it. However, for most, it is seen as a cosmetic flaw that should be addressed.
Typically, a gingival smile does not affect speech, chewing function, or dental health. However, it may accompany true pathologies in some cases, such as:
- Gum hypoplasia;
- Abnormal bite;
- Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint.
In these instances, it can cause not only psychological discomfort but also physical inconvenience, so it is essential to seek professional help.
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Causes of a Gummy Smile
A gummy, or gingival, smile can arise from various causes, including:
- Bite pathologies – the lip becomes shorter and cannot fully cover the gum due to excessive development of the upper jaw and forward protrusion of the upper incisors;
- Short tooth height – crown parts are reduced due to incomplete eruption, increased wear, or trauma;
- Anomalies of the upper lip frenulum – it prevents the lip from moving forward and lifts it upwards;
- Gum hyperplasia – the mucous membrane excessively grows, covering the teeth;
- Hyperactivity of the orbicularis oris muscle – the lip tightens due to increased muscle tone and involuntarily lifts higher than it should.
Indications for Correcting a Gingival Smile
A gummy smile is corrected for aesthetic reasons when it causes psychological discomfort to the patient. If the gum is exposed by more than 2 millimeters, consult a dentist who will propose a solution tailored to your individual case. Other indications include:
- Facial nerve neuritis;
- Increased mobility of the upper lip;
- Gum hypoplasia;
- Excessively narrow upper lip;
- Pathologies of the temporomandibular joint.
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Contraindications
The procedure is not performed in the following situations:
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding period;
- Autoimmune disorders;
- Blood clotting disorders;
- Endocrine diseases;
- Oncological diseases;
- Allergic reaction: to anesthetics during surgery, or to materials used in orthodontic treatment, such as metals.
Modern medicine offers several ways to correct a gummy smile, allowing doctors to suggest alternative problem-solving methods.
How to Determine the Appropriate Correction Method
The method for eliminating a gummy smile depends on its causes. Therefore, comprehensive diagnostics are necessary, including:
- Examination – the doctor assesses the condition of the teeth and gums;
- Computer tomography – helps identify features of the dental apparatus and reveal hidden pathologies;
- Functional diagnostics – detects bite pathologies, assesses their severity, and determines the jaw relationship.
Based on the examination results, orthodontists, orthopedists, maxillofacial surgeons, and other specialists may be involved in the treatment. Practice shows that up to 90% of gummy smile cases are due to bite pathologies, incorrect tooth positioning, or jaw misalignment. These issues are addressed through orthodontic treatment.
- The remaining 10% can be corrected using the following methods:
- Surgical intervention;
- Orthopedic methods;
- Cosmetic procedures, such as filler injections into the upper lip tissues; these do not provide a lasting stable result and may complement surgical treatment or serve as a temporary solution when surgery is not an option in the near future.
Special lip exercises are not sufficiently effective for completely eliminating the defect. However, for mildly pronounced pathologies, exercises can be used to relax facial muscles, control facial expressions, and smile without exposing the upper gum.
What to Do Before Correction
Visit our dental clinic. The administrator will help you schedule a convenient time to see the doctor.
The specialist will conduct an examination, refer you for diagnostics to identify the cause of the anatomical feature, and detect possible contraindications. If necessary, they will involve colleagues for consultations needed to choose the optimal treatment.
During the correction of a gummy smile, a photo protocol is maintained. You will have photos showing your appearance before and after surgery, orthodontic, or orthopedic treatment. This helps to accurately evaluate the results.
Also, regardless of the chosen method, professional dental cleaning is required beforehand, which can be done at our clinic. It is necessary to remove plaque, a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms.
Orthodontic Treatment
This option involves correcting the bite using removable or fixed orthodontic appliances.
Brackets are fixed constructions in the form of locks that are attached to the teeth and connected by a wire. The wire is under tension and pushes the teeth, helping them to assume an anatomically correct position.
Aligners are removable transparent caps made of plastic. They also exert pressure on the teeth, but the shift occurs because the patient sequentially replaces pairs of caps: the first slightly differs from the original position of the dental row, the last matches the anatomically correct form, and all others are intermediate stages.
The duration of orthodontic correction depends on the severity of the problem, but usually, it takes 1-1.5 years.
In rare cases, a preliminary operation to reduce the size of the jawbone may be necessary.
Orthopedic Correction
This method can be used for a minor cosmetic flaw or in cases of pathological tooth wear. It does not eliminate the defect but masks it. The following are used:
- Crowns – constructions made of metal-ceramics, zirconia dioxide, and other materials that completely cover the tooth;
- Veneers – ceramic overlays placed on the front surfaces of the teeth in the smile zone.
Veneers are usually pure white and used to create a Hollywood smile.
The second option is preferred because it allows avoiding tooth grinding. It is enough to polish the enamel on their front surfaces. However, if the gum is exposed at a significant height, this method may not be suitable, as the length of the teeth can be increased by veneers by approximately 1-1.5 mm.
Grills – fashionable removable decorations should not be used to solve the problem. These overlays on the teeth are often made of precious metals. They may, for example, be gold and inlaid with diamonds. Firstly, their height may not be sufficient to hide the exposed gum tissue. Secondly, grills are not designed for permanent wear and can only mask the problem in some cases, so the effect will be temporary.
Surgical Operations on the Mucous
Several types of operations are used to correct a gummy smile. The doctor chooses the appropriate option based on the specific clinical situation and the patient's individual characteristics.
Frenuloplasty (trimming the upper lip frenulum) is a simple operation that takes up to 20 minutes. It is performed if the frenulum length connecting the gum to the upper lip is less than 5 mm, causing excessive lip tension and gum exposure. Cutting or excising the frenulum relaxes the tension. The lip then assumes a physiologically correct position, and the problem is solved.
Gingivectomy is an operation aimed at reducing the gum contour. The surgeon makes a horizontal wavy cut at some distance from its edge and excises part of the mucous. This visually increases the height of the tooth crowns. The surgical intervention lasts up to 40 minutes.
Vestibuloplasty is used if the upper lip position is pathologically high. The surgeon incises the gum across the jaw's width, moves the mucous edge, and fixes it in the desired position to lower the lip. The procedure takes 40-60 minutes.
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Stages of Surgical Intervention
Regardless of the chosen operation type, three stages are distinguished.
Anesthesia. Surgery is a painful procedure, so local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or sedation is used.
The surgeon's activity. Their actions and sequence are determined by the protocol. Manipulations are performed using micro-instruments, and an electronic microscope provides complete control over each action.
Suturing. The doctor uses thin self-absorbing threads for suturing the mucous.
Rehabilitation After the Procedure
After correcting a gummy smile surgically, the doctor will give recommendations for recovery. It is crucial to follow them precisely to reduce the rehabilitation period and avoid possible complications.
Typically, it is required to:
- Not eat or drink for two hours after the operation;
- Take medications prescribed by the doctor;
- Avoid hot baths, saunas, sunbathing, and limit physical activity for three days;
- Exclude alcohol consumption;
- Quit smoking or significantly reduce the number of cigarettes smoked.
At AESTHET dental clinic in Dubai (UAE), Bluewaters Island, experienced, highly qualified doctors use modern methods to correct a gummy smile. They have the necessary equipment, tools, and materials for this purpose.
The price list indicates the cost of services. Contact the administrator to clarify prices and schedule a consultation at a convenient time for you.
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