Removal of gummy smile - beautiful smile thanks to aesthetic medicine
Tired of gummy smile? How we laugh and how our facial muscles work is influenced by our genetic makeup. If the facial muscles work too hard and with a large range, then the gums can also be exposed. By temporarily partially blocking the muscles that raise the lips using botulinum toxin, we achieve that the gums remain hidden behind the lips when smiling.
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile, also known as a "gum smile" or a "horse smile", occurs when the upper lips lift too much towards the nose when smiling, exposing more of the gums than usual. This phenomenon, professionally called excessive gingival exposure, can be caused by genetic dispositions, where too strong and extensive contractions of facial muscles raise the lips above the normal level, thereby exposing the teeth and gums. A gummy smile is generally assessed when 3 to 4 millimeters of gum can be seen above the upper teeth.
The meaning of a smile
Smiles are essential for human connection. They are an important form of emotional and personal expression. However, if you don't love your smile, you may feel less inclined to actually show it. Certain aspects of smiling can make people feel insecure. In extreme cases, they can reduce self-confidence. If your smile reveals more gum than you would like, it is considered a gummy smile.
Types and causes of gummy smile
There are four main types of gummy smile:
- Front (Anterior): Too much gum is exposed above the front teeth, usually between the two canines in the upper jaw.
- Posterior (Posterior): Too much gum is exposed above the back teeth in the upper jaw.
- Mixed: Excessive gums are exposed above both front and back teeth in the upper jaw.
- Asymmetric (asymmetrical): Excessive gums are exposed on only one side of the mouth in the upper jaw.
Several factors can cause a gummy smile. Some people are born with irregularities that can cause excessive gingival exposure, while others may develop them due to improper teething during childhood or tooth wear over time. Common causes include:
As your teeth grow
The size and shape of your teeth and the way they grow can cause a gummy smile. For example, if your teeth are naturally smaller than your gums, you may feel like you have a gummy smile. Other conditions include:
- Altered passive eruption: When the gums cover more teeth as they grow.
- Dentoalveolar extrusion: When the front teeth grow too far, the gums can do the same.
- Vertical maxillary excess: When the bones in your upper jaw grow longer than normal.
Irregularities of the gums and upper lip
There are several genetic irregularities of the gums and lips that can cause a gummy smile, such as:
Gingival hypertrophy: When the gums are enlarged or too long.
Hyperactive Upper Lip: When your upper lip looks normally relaxed, but rises higher when you smile, exposing more of your gums.
Side effects of some medications
Some medications can cause the gums to enlarge, which can lead to a gummy smile.
Botulinum toxin therapy (BTX)
Aesthetic medicine offers a wide range of options from temporary interventions to surgical solutions. Surgical solutions require a longer recovery period. At our clinic, we remove the gummy smile by temporarily partially blocking the muscles that lift the lips using a neurotoxin (BTX). This reduces their contraction and the gums remain hidden behind the lips when smiling. It is important to choose the right dose of BTX in order not to limit the mobility of the lips too much, which could lead to an unnatural appearance or asymmetry of the smile. The effectiveness of this treatment usually lasts 4 to 9 months, after which the therapy can be repeated.
What to keep in mind?
It is important to follow the recovery instructions when applying BTX. Gummy smile treatment is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In our clinic, the experienced doctor Mudr. Eva Boháčová will help you choose the most suitable method according to your individual needs and expectations.
If you are troubled by a gummy smile and are thinking about its correction, aesthetic medicine offers a wide range of options. At our clinic, we remove gummy smiles using the BTX application. Consultations with our experienced doctor will help you find the best treatment to achieve a beautiful and confident smile that will give you joy. Smiles are key to human connection and are an important form of emotional and personal expression. If you love your smile, you will show it more and more joyfully.
Tired of gummy smile? Schedule an appointment with us at the clinic.
