A gummy smile—one in which the gums seem proportionally larger than the teeth—can cause you to be self-conscious and uncomfortable about your smile. Cosmetic veneers can fix the appearance of too much gum and give you back your confidence.
Veneers and a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile is one that shows more gum than is usual. It can happen for a variety of reasons. It might be due to the shape of your mouth. Sometimes, a smile looks gummy because the teeth did not emerge normally, leaving a larger than usual portion of them covered with gums. Or your teeth might just be proportionally small, giving the impression of an overly gummy smile. Other causes include an upper lip that naturally draws back far enough to expose excessive gum tissue, or the way your face is naturally shaped could make your smile appear to be more gums than teeth.
While none of these situations cause a problem with your teeth as far as functionality, they can make you self-conscious about the look of your smile, which can affect your quality of life. If you’re uncomfortable smiling and would like to achieve an appearance you’re more confident in, talk to our dentist about possible treatment.
Treatment for a Gummy Smile
Regardless of the reason for your gummy smile, cosmetic dentistry can help. Cosmetic veneers can make small teeth look larger, or just increase the amount of tooth that shows when you smile. Veneers are relatively non-invasive, and can give you good results right away. They are custom made to match your untreated teeth. Treatment usually involves a very small amount of modification to the tooth surface, then the veneers are affixed to the tooth.
If your teeth did not emerge properly, you might require gum contouring to remove the excess gum tissue. After the gum is properly contoured, veneers are usually placed to give the newly exposed tooth a uniform look so it blends in with the rest of your smile. Talk to our dentist about the best cosmetic dentistry treatment for you so you can smile with confidence.
To brighten and improve your smile today, call us to schedule an appointment with our Dr. Lassle!
