Too Much Gum Tissue? A Periodontist NYC Can Help

Have you noticed you show too much gum tissue when you smile or talk? Does it look as if your upper teeth are too short? If the answer is yes to either of these questions then it’s possible you may have what’s called a “gummy smile.” This condition is very common but can look less than aesthetically pleasing, but the good news is that it is often easily corrected and there are various treatment options.

Why Do Some People Have a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile may be caused by several different reasons. Quite often teeth that look too short are actually the correct length and are merely covered up by excessive gum tissue. This can be caused if the teeth erupted slightly abnormally. A gummy smile may also be due to the way the upper jaw has developed as sometimes it can bulge out too much, causing the upper jaw bone to protrude too far. Some people find they show too much gum tissue because of an overactive muscle in their upper lip. In this case that teeth may well be the correct length and it’s simply that their lips are being pulled too far back when smiling.

 

How Much Gum Tissue Should You Show When Smiling?

If you’d like to have an aesthetically pleasing smile, then you should only be showing a minimal amount of gum tissue. The tissue visible when smiling should be evenly balanced around your teeth, creating pleasing contours that help frame the teeth in an attractive manner.

 

Do You Think You Have a Gummy Smile?

If you find your smile is too gummy, then book an appointment with a periodontist. The reason for choosing a periodontist is quite logical as periodontists are specialists who have been extensively trained in treating gum conditions. As such, they will know the most up-to-date techniques and will have sophisticated equipment such as a dental laser to help treat you more effectively and far more comfortably.

 

How Laser Dentistry Can Help

Quite often a gummy smile can easily be remedied by cutting away the excess gum tissue. In the past this treatment used to be carried out with a scalpel but a dental laser is a far more precise way to remove excess gum tissue and patients find it much more comfortable. This is because the laser automatically seals any small blood vessels that may need to be cut during treatment so there is less bleeding, swelling and discomfort. Often there is no need for anesthetic. Healing is a lot quicker and there is less chance of any infection. Treatment for a gummy smile also relies on a combination of the skill and artistry, and using a dental laser makes this process much more precise. Laser dentistry is very safe, as for example Dr. NavidRahmani, a periodontist in Midtown NYC has undertaken additional training in laser dentistry and will ensure treatment is comfortable while providing fabulous results.

Sometimes it’s also necessary to reshape the jawbone, in cases where it may have grown excessively and if a gummy smile is due to an overactive lip muscle, then a small surgical procedure can help remedy this. There is always a solution for correcting a gummy smile so it’s well worth asking a periodontist if your smile is bothering you.

 

In: General Periodontal Topics | Periodontal Gum Surgery

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