Gummy Smiles Melbourne

Tooth Problems

• Over time, and with habits like grinding and clenching, we can wear down our teeth. This causes the downward movement of the teeth as they try to maintain their bite, and brining the gums down with it in the process

Gum Problems

• Some people have a lot of good tooth hiding under the excess gum. This is a developmental problem and occurs during growth
• Others have excess gum because of mouth breathing, certain medications and also poor oral hygiene

Lip Problems

• Lips play a big role in the amount of gum that we show when we smile. Some people have a very thin upper lip, while everything else remains in position. This can give the effect of a gummy smile. Some lip muscles are very active, and this hyper mobility can cause the lips to lift up exposing all the excess gum

Jaw Problems

• A ‘long face’, where the upper jaw is longer than normal, will give the effect of a gummy smile. This vertical discrepancy normally shows an even amount of gum both in the front and the back teeth, and is sometimes the most complicated to treat.

Gum Re-contouring

• This is a technique where small amounts of gum are removed exposing natural healthy tooth underneath it. This is a minor surgical technique and at The Smile Designer we utilise dental lasers to aid in this technique.

Muscle Relaxants and Facial Injections

• Muscle relaxant or facial injections can freeze or temporarily paralyse the muscles of the lip that causes the hyper mobility. It is a quick and simple procedure but will require regular maintenance and top up appointments.

Crown Lengthening

• When there is an excess of bone as well as gum causing the gummy smile, then this excess bone will need to be removed, in order for the gums to heal back to allow the normal proportions of the tooth to be revealed.

Lip or Jaw Surgery

• Jaw surgery such as Orthognathic surgery is done normally in conjuction with orthodontic treatment. This is where the upper jaw and sometimes both jaws are surgically adjusted to its ideal position.
• Lip surgery is done by plastic surgeons to restrict or lengthen the upper lip

Orthodontic Treatment

• Crooked teeth can give the illusion of a gummy smile, especially when the position of the teeth is angled back into your mouth, or if you have a deep bite. Braces or Invisalign are used to correct dental crowding but are also used to change the position, angles and intrude each tooth to its ideal position.