A gummy smile is a term used to describe a smile that reveals a large proportion of gum tissue above the front teeth. Some affected individuals feel that their gums are too prominent whilst smiling and others that their teeth appear too small. Generally, a smile is considered to be "gummy" when four millimetres or more of gum tissue is visible while smiling.
Main contributory factors include: a too long upper jaw and/or a too short top lip that is unable to conceal the gums sufficiently while smiling. Others factors include teeth that have failed to erupt correctly and gums that are too long or hypertrophied.
A gummy smile can make the affected individual feel self-conscious or embarrassed by their smile.
Treatment at our clinic involves the injection of Botox into the upper lip muscles to help minimise the appearance of a gummy smile. In comparison to surgical intervention Botox treatment is relatively pain free and cost effective.