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Gummy smile and its causes
A gummy smile is a condition in which too much gum shows (more than 3 mm of gum visible when smiling). It is not a disease but affects aesthetics, making patients feel less confident. There are 3 causes of a gummy smile:
Abnormal tooth eruption
If your teeth do not erupt in the natural sequence (extracted too early), or the gums are too thick and obstruct eruption, teeth end up shorter than normal.
Hyperactive lip muscles
In some cases, hyperactive lip muscles pull the upper lip up toward the eyes when smiling, causing a gummy smile.
Growth and development of the upper jaw
If your jaw grows in a certain way during growth and development, for example excessive vertical growth of the upper jaw, this can cause gum display when smiling.
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is a condition in which too much gum shows, especially when smiling (over 3 mm (*) from the tooth base to the lip). Although it does not affect health (specifically chewing ability), it makes many people feel less confident in communication.
Caused by teeth
Delayed eruption or incomplete eruption of teeth loses the balance between tooth height and gum.
Caused by bone
Bite discrepancy from overdeveloped jaw arch bone, causing teeth to project outward a lot and gums to show.
Caused by gums
Overgrown gums cover more of the tooth body (measured from the root) than normal.
Caused by lips
A short upper lip or excessive lip muscle tone pulls the lip up high, exposing the gums.
Gummy smile treatment methods
ORTHODONTICS
In cases of gummy smile caused by abnormal tooth eruption, where teeth sit lower than the ideal position, the orthodontist will bring the teeth to the correct position => improving the gummy smile.
Botox injection
For gummy smiles caused by hyperactive lip muscles, the doctor uses botox to deactivate the orbicularis oris and skin-attached muscles => when smiling, the patient's lip is not pulled excessively => improving the gummy smile.
Surgery
For gummy smiles caused by excessive growth of the upper jaw (protruding upper alveolar bone, upper jaw projecting too far forward causing protrusion…), the doctor performs jaw surgery to bring the upper jaw to the correct position and adjusts the alveolar bone to harmonize with the face; the gums will retract and adapt to the patient's jawbone after the surgical treatment.
For gummy smiles caused by incomplete passive eruption, low gum attachment or abnormal gum growth, the doctor performs minor surgery to adjust the gums, with or without alveolar bone adjustment.
Current Gummy Smile Treatment Methods
There are currently many ways to correct a gummy smile, corresponding to each case and degree of gum display, as follows:
Botox injection
Botox injection (short for Botulinum Toxin) is a cosmetic method that uses Botulinum acting directly on the desired muscle area to block the “signal” from the nervous system to the muscle, thereby effectively improving muscle contraction.
Applicable cases: Suitable for those with a gummy smile because the lip muscles pull up too strongly.
Advantages
- Simple procedure, quick to carry out.
- Gives immediate results.
- Doesn't require much recovery time.
Limitations:
- Results last only a short time (about 6–8 months).
Orthodontics (braces)
Orthodontics (braces) is an in-depth dental treatment aimed at moving misaligned teeth into the correct position on the jaw, thereby improving chewing ability and giving customers a naturally beautiful smile.
Applicable cases: Suitable for those with a gummy smile accompanied by a deep bite or protruding teeth.
Advantages
- High safety.
- In many cases, braces help “reduce” the gum display by 2–4 mm, effectively improving smile aesthetics.
- Results last if oral care follows the doctor's instructions.
Limitations:
- Braces take quite a long time, on average 24 months or more.
Gummy smile surgery using Laser technology
Currently, gummy smile surgery can be performed using several methods such as a scalpel, plasma knife or laser. The laser has many advantages that make the surgical process fast, neat and gentle, helping patients feel comfortable with no pain throughout the procedure.
Pain reduction, no discomfort during the surgery
Before surgery, the surgical field is sterilized and the patient is fully anesthetized by the doctors. Diode laser gum cutting technology with moderate-intensity infrared wavelength produces no noise and no burning or uncomfortable sensation, helping patients feel comfortable and reassured.
Good haemostasis, minimizing postoperative complications
Gum cuts made with laser do not bleed, are small in size and are sterilized once more with the diode laser, minimizing the risk of post-surgery infection.
No lengthy recovery time, minimal use of antibiotics after surgery
Cuts made with the diode laser are small and haemostatic, and are sterilized by laser, so the wound does not swell, hurt or form pus => patients can resume normal activities right after surgery and do not need many post-operative antibiotics.
Gummy smile treatment procedure with Diode Laser
Step 1
Examination + diagnostic CBCT scan + scaling and pre-surgery gingivitis treatment + blood tests
Step 2
Minor surgery for gummy smile treatment
Step 3
Follow-up after 14 days
Step 4
Follow-up after 8–12 weeks
Step 1: Examination + diagnostic CBCT scan + scaling and pre-surgery gingivitis treatment + blood tests.
The doctor examines your mouth in person, takes photos inside the mouth and of the face while you smile naturally to determine the degree of gummy smile, and takes a CBCT scan to survey the alveolar bone to make the most accurate treatment plan. You will then have your teeth scaled and blood taken for tests to ensure normal overall health before surgery. The doctor will also advise on the rules to follow and what you need to prepare before surgery so it goes smoothly and safely.
Step 2: Minor surgery for gummy smile treatment
Before surgery, the assistant sterilizes the surgical field, and the doctor fully anesthetizes the gum area to be cut, accurately determining the proportion of gum to remove and the alveolar bone to adjust, if any. During laser gum cutting, the doctor reshapes the gum into a curve following the tooth neck and according to the agreed treatment plan.
At the end of surgery, the doctor sutures the wound closed, advises you on daily life and postoperative wound care, prescribes medication and schedules a follow-up date to remove the stitches.
Step 3: Follow-up after 14 days
After 14 days, you return to the clinic so the doctor can check gum healing, remove the stitches and schedule the next follow-up. During the 8–12 weeks after the gum cutting, you must not have any cosmetic work on the treated teeth (veneers or porcelain crowns), because the gums have not fully healed.
Step 4: Follow-up after 8–12 weeks
Gums need 8–12 weeks to heal fully, and the gum remodeling period can last up to 12 months. After gum cutting with alveolar bone adjustment, the doctor will schedule your follow-ups and you must follow that schedule so the doctor can adjust the gums to achieve the best aesthetic result.
Kha Dental – A Reputable Clinic for Improving Gummy Smiles
Experienced doctors with solid expertise
The doctors working at Kha Dental are all properly and deeply trained in gummy smile treatment and have performed many successful cases in public and private medical facilities.
Doctors trained in interdisciplinary knowledge, comprehensive treatment plans
The doctors at Kha Dental all have interdisciplinary knowledge, and treatment plans are always a coordination of several specialties (periodontics – orthodontics – maxillofacial surgery – aesthetics). If necessary, you may be treated in other specialties (jaw surgery, orthodontics…) before gum cutting. Or if needed, the doctor may additionally recommend botox after surgery to optimize the treatment result.
Modern, continuously updated equipment
Kha Dental always invests in modern equipment and keeps up with new developments to give you a gentle gum cutting experience with no swelling or pain and the least possible use of antibiotics.
KHA DENTAL IS ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE
Creating Healthy, Beautiful and Lasting Smiles
When I came to Kha Dental Nha Trang, I found the facilities very modern, clean and comfortable, creating a warm, homey feeling. The dental nurses were so friendly and cared for me with great enthusiasm. Dr. Ngoc Kha in particular has a gentle, confident voice and decisive technique — placing implants and making porcelain crowns for me without any pain at all; I fell asleep without even noticing! After Dr. Kha gave me a smile makeover, I feel much more confident when I smile, and I can comfortably go to class reunions with my friends now that I'm back in my homeland!
Mr. Huynh Viet Bao Duy - Vietnamese-American
50 years old
Aesthetic Lava porcelain crown service
I've had an open bite since I was little, plus a crooked canine sitting way up high, and my teeth were very crowded — I didn't dare to smile at all. Since Dr. Kha started my braces, pulling the canine back into an aesthetic position, my teeth are now evenly aligned and, above all, my open bite is gone. Thank goodness my teeth are healthy and beautiful; I enjoy eating so much more because I can now eat foods I never could before because of the open bite. Even though I'm still in the fine-tuning stage before the braces come off, I already feel far more confident than before, and I can smile brightly in front of a crowd in these precious youthful years — I'm so happy!
Tran Ngoc Thanh Xuan
20 years old
Adult braces service
Gummy smile treatment costs
The cost of gummy smile treatment varies depending on whether it is gum cutting alone or with alveolar bone adjustment, and the number of teeth for gum cutting. For specific and detailed costs, patients can contact Kha Dental clinic directly via the hotline 085 205 2212
| SERVICE | UNIT PRICE | UNIT OF MEASURE |
|---|---|---|
| Gum cutting surgery only | 1.500.000 | Tooth |
| Gum cutting surgery + alveolar bone adjustment | 2.000.000 | Tooth |
| Comprehensive gummy smile treatment | 14.000.000 | Treatment course |
| Gummy smile treatment with Botulinum Toxin | 14.000.000 | Treatment course |
| Free gingival graft / connective tissue graft | 6.000.000 | Treatment course |