When you look in the mirror and flash a big grin, what do you see? For most of us, we hope to see pearly white teeth. However, for many of our patients here at Dental Care of Beverly Hills, the first thing they notice isn’t their teeth—it is their gum line. If you feel like your gums are stealing the spotlight from your teeth, you might have what is commonly called a “gummy smile.”
I talk to patients every day who feel self-conscious about this. They often hesitate to smile fully in photos or cover their mouths when they laugh. If this sounds like you, I want you to know two things. First, you are not alone. Second, we can absolutely help you. Understanding your options to fix gummy smile issues is the first step toward the confident look you have always wanted.
What Exactly is a Gummy Smile?
Before we talk about treatments, let’s define what we are actually looking at. In the dental world, we refer to a gummy smile as “excessive gingival display.” While beauty is subjective, a smile is generally considered “gummy” if more than two to four millimeters of gum tissue shows when you smile.
Ideally, a balanced smile reveals very little gum tissue. The focus should be on the aesthetics of the teeth and the way the lips frame them. When that balance is off, your teeth might look smaller than they actually are, even if they are a perfectly normal size. It is usually just an optical illusion created by the excess gum tissue covering the enamel.
It is interesting to note just how common this is. According to data published in dental journals, it is estimated that about 10% of people between the ages of 20 and 30 have a gummy smile, and it is more prevalent in women than in men. So, if you are looking for a solution, you are certainly in good company.
Why Do I Have a Gummy Smile?
To effectively fix a gummy smile, we first have to understand the root cause. During your consultation with us, we look at your teeth, lips, jaw, and gums to figure out exactly what is going on. Generally, there are a few main culprits:
- Teeth Eruption Issues: Sometimes, when your adult teeth came in, they didn’t erupt (push through the gum) completely. This results in the gum tissue covering more of the tooth crown than it should, making the teeth look short.
- Hyperactive Upper Lip: For some patients, the issue isn’t the teeth or the gums, but the lip muscle. If the muscle controlling your upper lip is hyperactive, it raises your lip higher than normal when you smile, exposing more gum tissue.
- Jaw Development: Occasionally, the upper jaw (maxilla) may have grown too long vertically. This is a skeletal issue where the entire upper jaw protrudes slightly, bringing the gum line down with it.
- Gum Overgrowth: Certain medications or health conditions can sometimes cause the gum tissue to grow excessively, covering the teeth.
Once we identify the cause, we can create a personalized plan to fix it. The good news is that modern dentistry offers incredible solutions ranging from quick, non-invasive tweaks to permanent surgical corrections.
Top Ways We Can Fix a Gummy Smile
At Dental Care of Beverly Hills, we pride ourselves on offering customized solutions. There is no “one size fits all” approach here. Depending on your specific anatomy and goals, here are the most effective ways we can transform your smile.
1. Laser Gum Contouring (Gingivectomy)
This is one of my favorite procedures to perform because the results are instant and dramatic. If your gummy smile is caused by an overgrowth of gum tissue covering your teeth, we can use a specialized dental laser to gently remove the excess tissue.
In the past, this was done with a scalpel, which meant stitches and a longer recovery time. Today, using advanced laser technology, we can essentially “sculpt” your gum line. The laser vaporizes the excess tissue and seals the blood vessels simultaneously. This means there is little to no bleeding and rarely a need for sutures.
The Process:
We start by numbing the area with a local anesthetic so you won’t feel any pain. Then, we carefully shape the gums to reveal more of your natural tooth structure. The result is teeth that look longer and a gum line that looks symmetrical and balanced.
Recovery:
Most patients return to their normal routine the very next day. You might experience some minor soreness, but it is typically very manageable. It is a permanent way to fix a gummy smile caused by tissue overgrowth.
2. Botox Lip Flip
If your gummy smile is caused by a hyperactive upper lip, surgery might not be necessary at all. We can use Botox (botulinum toxin) to relax the muscles responsible for lifting your upper lip.
When you smile, the elevator muscles pull the lip up. By injecting a small amount of Botox into these specific muscles, we weaken their pull slightly. You can still smile naturally, but the lip won’t curl up as high, keeping your gums covered.
The Pros and Cons:
The biggest advantage here is that it takes about 10 minutes and requires zero downtime. It is also much more affordable than surgical options. However, the results are temporary. You will typically need to return every 3 to 4 months for maintenance injections to keep the effect.
3. Orthodontics (Braces or Invisalign)
Sometimes, the bite is the issue. If you have a bad bite or if your teeth erupted in the wrong position, orthodontics can be the answer. By moving the teeth into the correct position, we can often push them upwards into the jawbone slightly or correct the angle of the bite, which reduces the amount of gum that shows.
For many of our Beverly Hills patients, we combine orthodontics with other treatments. For example, we might use Invisalign to straighten the teeth and then perform a minor gum contouring procedure afterward for the perfect finish. This comprehensive approach ensures that the foundation of your smile is healthy while also addressing the aesthetics.
4. Veneers or Crowns (The Aesthetic Lift)
If your teeth are naturally small or have been worn down over time due to grinding, simply removing gum tissue might not be enough. In these cases, we can fix a gummy smile by restoring the length of the teeth using porcelain veneers or crowns.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that bond to the front of your teeth. They allow us to control the shape, size, and color of your smile completely. By making the teeth appear longer and more proportionate, we balance out the ratio of pink gum to white tooth. This is often referred to as a “Smile Makeover.”
Data Point: It is worth noting the psychological impact of these aesthetic changes. Studies in cosmetic dentistry have shown that patients who undergo smile enhancements report a significant boost in self-esteem and social confidence, often noticing an improvement in their professional interactions shortly after treatment.
5. Lip Repositioning Surgery
If Botox is too temporary for you, but the issue is definitely a hyperactive lip, lip repositioning surgery is a fantastic permanent alternative. This is a minor surgical procedure where we remove a small strip of tissue from the inside of your upper lip and suture the exposed area to the gums.
This restricts how high the upper lip can travel when you smile. It sounds intense, but it is done entirely inside the mouth, so there is no external scarring. The recovery takes about a week or two, but once healed, you have a permanently lower lip line when smiling, effectively hiding the gums.
6. Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery)
This is usually the last resort and is reserved for severe cases where the skeletal structure is the main problem. If the upper jaw is significantly too long (Vertical Maxillary Excess), we may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
In this procedure, the surgeon repositions the upper jaw upwards. This physically moves the entire gum line and teeth up, dramatically reducing the gummy appearance. While the recovery is longer and the process is more complex, the results can be life-changing for patients with severe skeletal discrepancies.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
I know that reading about medical procedures can sometimes be overwhelming. That is why the consultation is the most critical part of the process. When you come to see us, we don’t just look at your mouth; we look at your whole face.
We analyze your facial symmetry, the length of your face, and how your lips move when you speak and laugh. We will take digital X-rays and photos to plan your treatment. My goal is to educate you on the best way to fix a gummy smile for your specific needs.
We will discuss:
- Your Goals: What do you want your smile to look like?
- Your Budget: We offer various financing options to make care accessible.
- The Timeline: Do you need this fixed for a wedding next month, or are you open to a longer orthodontic plan?
For more detailed information on the biological aspects of gum health and procedures, you can read more from the American Academy of Periodontology regarding crown lengthening and gum reshaping.
Is It Painful to Fix a Gummy Smile?
This is the number one question I get asked. Patients are often worried that working on the gums will be painful. I am happy to report that modern technology has changed the game.
For laser gum contouring, most patients describe the sensation as a little bit of heat or vibration, but rarely pain. We use strong numbing gels and local anesthetics to ensure you are comfortable. For Botox, it is just a tiny pinch. Even for the more involved surgical options, we have excellent sedation dentistry options to ensure you sleep through the procedure and wake up ready to recover.
Post-procedure discomfort is usually managed easily with over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen. We will give you detailed aftercare instructions to ensure your healing is fast and smooth.
The Cost Factor
The cost to fix a gummy smile varies wildly depending on the method we choose. Botox is the most entry-level cost, usually ranging a few hundred dollars per session. Laser gum contouring is a mid-range investment, often priced per tooth or by quadrant. Orthodontics and veneers are higher investments but offer structural and comprehensive aesthetic benefits.
During your visit, our team will provide a transparent breakdown of all costs. We believe there should be no surprises when it comes to the financial aspect of your care.
Taking the First Step Toward Your Dream Smile
Living with a smile you are unhappy with can take a toll on how you present yourself to the world. You deserve to laugh without covering your mouth. You deserve to smile in photos without trying to manipulate your upper lip.
At Dental Care of Beverly Hills, we combine art and science to create smiles that are not just healthy, but stunningly beautiful. Whether it is a quick laser treatment or a set of custom veneers, we have the tools and the expertise to fix a gummy smile and help you reclaim your confidence.
If you are ready to see what your smile could look like, I invite you to contact our office today. Let’s sit down, discuss your options, and design a smile that lights up the room.
