1. What is a gummy smile?

A gummy smile is a condition in which smiling exposes too much of the gums in the upper jaw, making the smile less attractive, unaesthetic and making many people feel self-conscious because of this trait. However, this is not a manifestation of pathology but only reduces the aesthetics when smiling.

A smile is considered non-gummy if the person's maximum smile shows no more than 2mm of gums.

There are 4 levels of gummy smile, specifically as follows:

• Mild level: mild gummy smile means that when the person smiles, more than 3mm of gum tissue is exposed, less than 25% compared to the length of the teeth;

• Moderate level: when smiling, 25% of the gums are exposed, less than 50% compared to the length of the teeth;

• Severity level: when smiling, 59% more gums are exposed, compared to 100% less tooth length;

• Very severe: the entire gum tissue is exposed and is up to 100% larger than the tooth length.

Levels of gummy smile

What is the cause of gummy smile?

If you have a gummy smile, it is most likely due to the following reasons:

• The upper jaw bone is overdeveloped: this leads to the appearance of forward protruding teeth accompanied by a gummy smile and rough face;

• Hypertrophy of the upper lip levator muscle: due to the lip levator muscle or lip sphincter not being fully developed, leading to the fact that every time you smile, the lip levator muscle moves too high, causing gummy opening;

• The structure of the upper lip is too short: the person has the characteristic of not being able to close the lips when the mouth is inactive and exposing the gums when smiling.

3. Some methods to help improve a gummy smile 

The causes of gummy smiles are different. Therefore, if you are experiencing this condition, you need to see a dentist and the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment based on the cause of this feature. Many measures can be applied at the same time to achieve the best aesthetic effect. Specifically:

• In case of a gummy smile due to a short upper lip: surgery to lengthen the upper lip is performed by a cosmetic specialist;

• If you have a gummy smile due to short tooth crown length: most commonly, surgery helps improve tooth crown length by: moving the gums closer to the tooth roots or cutting the gums. In addition, if necessary, the upper jaw socket also needs to be adjusted;

Effective treatment will help significantly improve the condition of your gummy smile

• Gummy smile due to too thick alveolar bone or excessive growth of the maxilla: this is the most complicated case among the causes of gummy smile when smiling. At this time, the doctor will consider using measures to reduce overbite by pulling back the upper teeth. After orthodontics, it is likely that more gums will need to be cut;

• If the cause of the gummy smile is due to hypertrophy of the upper lip levator muscle: inject botulinum toxin. This is a substance used in cosmetic surgery to help weaken the muscle that lifts the upper lip, or change the position of this muscle through cutting and repositioning procedures.

4. Before surgery to treat a gummy smile, what should you pay attention to? 

• Patients need to have indications such as: complete blood cell analysis test, jaw X-ray,...;

• The doctor conducts a thorough clinical examination by observing the condition of teeth, gums, jaw shape, upper lip, etc. In addition, the patient needs to provide information related to medical history such as: cardiovascular diseases, blood diseases, liver diseases, kidney diseases, diabetes, allergies,...;

• To avoid infectious complications after surgery, the doctor will help the patient remove tartar and polish their teeth;

5. What are complications after gummy smile surgery?

Although surgery to correct a gummy smile is not too complicated, relatively safe and minimally invasive, it changes too many body structures, so serious complications rarely occur. However, people who have gummy smile surgery are still at risk of experiencing the following post-operative symptoms: 

• Pain after surgery: within 2 - 3 days, the patient is prescribed pain medication;

• Bleeding: Do not brush teeth vigorously after surgery. To limit bleeding, patients can choose laser gingivectomy;

• Eating and chewing is more difficult;

• The upper lip is swollen and edematous: use anti-swelling and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by your doctor;

• The gingivectomy site is infected with periodontitis: usually caused by eating and hygiene or wound care;

6. What do patients need to do after gummy smile surgery?

• The gum area after surgery will feel a little numb and swollen, this may last for the first 2 - 3 days after the procedure. To improve this feeling, patients should take the medicine the doctor has prescribed;

• After 1 week, you need to go back to the doctor to have the stitches removed and the incision checked;

• Suitable foods: soft foods, cold porridge,... in the first 2 days. The wound will heal gradually after 1 week;

• Be sure to clean properly and rinse your mouth gently with antiseptic water;

• In case of unusual reactions, see a doctor immediately:

• Feeling of severe pain and increased pain at the site of bone correction and gingivectomy, accompanied by widespread swelling;

• Bleeding that cannot be stopped for a long time;

• Loose teeth, severe toothache after eating;

• Vomiting, hives, fatigue or even allergies after taking the drug;

• Bruised gums;

• Right in the first days after surgery, all the sutures came out.