A gummy smile is a common cosmetic concern where more gum tissue shows than usual when you smile. It doesn't affect oral health, but it's understandably something people want addressed. At Eastern Dental Group in Wantirna South, we assess the cause and talk you through the most appropriate option to bring more balance to your smile.
Call (03) 9887 0822A gummy smile can have a few different underlying causes, which is why identifying the specific cause matters before deciding on treatment:
A gummy smile isn't a medical problem in itself, it doesn't affect oral health, but it's a common source of self-consciousness that can be addressed once the cause is understood.
The right option depends on what's actually causing the extra gum display.
Where excess gum tissue is the cause, reshaping the gum line to expose more of the natural tooth is a minor procedure rather than major surgery.
Where teeth appear short or worn, veneers can be shaped to improve tooth length and proportion alongside gum recontouring.
Where the cause relates to the upper lip or jaw structure, we'll talk you through the options and refer you to the right provider if needed.
Treatments involving the upper lip muscle (such as muscle-relaxant injections) or significant jaw structure changes are outside the scope of what we provide directly. Where relevant, we'll discuss these options with you and can refer you to an appropriately qualified provider.
A gummy smile is a cosmetic concern where more gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth than usual when smiling, generally where more than three to four millimetres of gum shows. It can make the teeth look shorter than they are and affect the overall balance of the smile. It's not a medical problem in itself, but it's a common source of self-consciousness that can be addressed with treatment.
A few different factors can contribute, which is why identifying the specific cause matters before treatment. The most common is excess gum tissue covering more of the tooth crown than usual. Other causes include a short or overactive upper lip, teeth that are naturally short or worn, a jaw that has developed with extra vertical height, and some medications that can cause gum tissue to overgrow as a side effect.
In a well-proportioned smile, the upper teeth generally fill the smile with around one to two millimetres of gum visible or less, a small amount is completely normal. Around three to four millimetres or more is where people commonly start to feel self-conscious. What matters most is how you feel about your own smile, there's no fixed threshold that means treatment is "needed."
Often, yes. Gum tissue coverage, tooth eruption patterns, jaw development, and lip length all have a genetic component, so if a parent has a gummy smile, you're more likely to as well. It can also develop from non-genetic factors like medication side effects, so genetics isn't the whole picture in every case.
It depends on the cause. Where excess gum tissue is covering the teeth, gum contouring is a minor procedure rather than major surgery. Cases involving significant jaw bone excess may need referral to a specialist for further assessment. We'll help you understand which category your situation falls into.
Treatment is generally recommended once facial and dental development is complete, typically from the late teens onwards, so results are more likely to be stable long-term. For younger patients still developing, a watch-and-monitor approach is usually more appropriate. There's no upper age limit for adults.
For gummy smiles caused by excess gum tissue, gum contouring tends to give long-lasting results, and the tissue doesn't typically grow back under normal circumstances. If a medication causing gum overgrowth is continued, the tissue may return. We can talk through what's realistic for your specific cause at a consultation.
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