Gummy smile consultations

A gummy smile is often defined as a smile with more than 2-3mm of visible gum, but what’s most important is the individual’s perspective.

Gummy smiles are usually caused by hyperactivity of the muscles that lift your top lip. These muscles are:

• Levator labii superioris
• Levator labii superioris aleque nasi
• Zygomaticus minor

An overactive obicularis oris muscle can contribute to the appearance of a gummy smile.

Other less common causes of a gummy smile include:

• Small lips
• Excessive gum tissue above the upper teeth (known as gingival hyperplasia)
• Short upper teeth
• A long upper jaw (maxilla bone)

Gummy smiles tend to run in the family as we inherit certain facial features from our parents. However, some people may develop a gummy smile without inheriting it.

There are many ways to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile, with suitability determined through a consultation.

Many children grow out of their gummy smile as their upper jaw develops. The jaw bones continue to grow until early adulthood, and other factors such as dental work and braces can affect the development of a gummy smile.

You won’t know if a child will outgrow their gummy smile until they enter their late teenage years.

Braces and Invisalign are unlikely to improve the appearance of a gummy smile.

Aligning the teeth will not treat the causes of a gummy smile. In fact, gum irritation from braces and Invisalign may cause gingival hyperplasia (more gum tissue), making a gummy smile worse.

The following treatment options are available for those concerned about a gummy smile:

• Orthognatic (jaw) surgery: expensive, and more risk and downtime compared with non-surgical options
• Gum lift to reduce excessive gum tissue: more expensive and painful than non-surgical treatments
• Cosmetic dentistry and veneers: good for short teeth, but costly and will permanently damage the underlying teeth
• Relaxing muscles: may assist with a gummy smile caused by strong lip lifting muscles
• Adding volume: an option for those with a thin top lip, helping to cover visible gum tissue

As everyone has their own belief about what is and isn’t attractive there is no definitive answer about whether a gummy smile is attractive. Some people do find gummy smiles to be an attractive facial feature while others prefer smiles without excessive gum show.

The cost of gummy smile treatment varies depending on your individual needs, which can only be determined after an assessment. If you’d like pricing information, you can:

• Complete our free online suitability assessment for general pricing information.
• Schedule a consultation (free spots available in Sydney) for a personalised treatment plan and quote.

Gummy smile treatments are designed to reduce the visibility of gum tissue when you smile. There are various methods to achieve this.

One common method relaxes upper lip elevator muscles. By relaxing these muscles, the treatment helps to subtly lower the upper lip, reducing the amount of gum visible when you smile. In some cases, adding volume to your lips can make them fuller, concealing your gums when you smile.

Most non-invasive treatments for a gummy smile take between 5 and 20 minutes.

People’s experiences of discomfort vary, but most report only mild, brief discomfort with non-surgical gummy smile treatments.

Most treatments involve the use of numbing to minimise discomfort.

The time it takes to see results from your gummy smile treatment depends on the method used.

Full results typically develop over days to weeks.

The longevity of gummy smile treatments can vary depending on the method used, but typically fade over months to years.

Following gummy smile treatments you might experience some very minor and temporary effects, such as slight redness or tenderness at the treatment sites, but these typically resolve quickly.

Most types of gummy smile treatments are considered low-risk when administered by a skilled and experienced medical professional.

As with any treatment, there is a risk of temporary side effects such as localised bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the treatment sites. Serious complications are rare.