When you look at your smile, do you feel like your teeth are small? They might look short and stubby, but it may be because your gums are overshadowing them. This is a common problem. In fact, many people often question why this can happen. You might be wondering about that yourself and, thankfully, your dentist is here to help. Here’s a guide to why this can happen and what can give you a proportional grin.
Why Does My Smile Look Gummy?
Before figuring out what treatment you can get, you should first pinpoint the reason. These are some common culprits:
- Genetics: Your genes may determine your hair and eye color, but they also influence your smile. They might’ve caused excessive gum tissue or made your jaw develop in a way that exposes more of the soft tissue when you show off your teeth.
- Lip Position: For some people, their upper lip may just sit higher or pull back more when they grin, revealing more of the gums.
- Odd Tooth Eruption: When teeth erupt and are crooked or crowded, they may only partially do so past the gumline. This means they won’t be able to reach their full length.
What Can I Do to Fix My Gummy Smile?
The good news is that your dentist is here to help give you a smile you love. In fact, there’s a specific treatment that’s designed to give you a more proportional grin, which is gum recontouring.
This is a minor procedure that uses a soft tissue laser to remove excess tissue that is covering your teeth. Thankfully, it’s a comfortable process as this state-of-the-art technology doesn’t really emit much heat or sound, but it cauterizes and sanitizes at the same time. You can get your results in one visit, which takes a couple of hours.
Another option you have is veneers. These are thin, durable shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth. They effectively balance your grin by making them look uniform in color, shape, and size. This treatment is done in two appointments, so it’s relatively quick as well.
In the end, simply talk to your dentist about your gummy smile. They will be able to correct it and give you an aesthetic grin that you feel your best in.
About the Practice
At Arts Family Dentistry, you benefit from a compassionate team of dentists who look after you and your oral health. We are dedicated to helping the Dallas community get the gorgeous set of teeth they love with cosmetic dentistry, such as gum recontouring. By having a consultation, we can help target the flaws you have and customize a plan for you. If you have a gummy smile, schedule an appointment or call our office at (214) 203-1145.