Fix a Gummy Smile in Portland, OR
When you smile, are your upper teeth overshadowed by excessive gum tissue?
You may have what’s referred to as a gummy smile.
A gummy smile isn’t something to be worried about, but many of our patients find them to be aesthetically displeasing. Thankfully, gummy smiles are possible to fix!
At Advanced Dentistry, we can expertly diagnose your concern and help you understand the root cause of the issue. From there, we partner with periodontists and other specialists in the Portland area and will refer you to one of their offices to ensure you receive a customized treatment to correct your gummy smile. Once your gummy smile correction is complete, we’ll be here to assist you with any restorative care needed to achieve your dream smile.
Working as an interdisciplinary team, our aesthetically-motivated prosthodontists will ensure you receive the best care for your diagnosis and smile goals.
Good to know
The opposite of showing too much gum tissue is when too much of your teeth are exposed — this is a health concern. This dental problem is called “gum recession” and should be addressed to avoid excessive sensitivity, risk of cavities, losing a tooth and other issues. Contact us to learn more.
What causes a gummy smile?
Excessive gum display when smiling can be caused by a number of things. Often a gummy smile is the result of your unique genetics.
However, other factors may be at play, including:
- Abnormal tooth eruption
- Jaw development issues
- Improper bite
- Muscular issues
- Hyperactive upper lip
Diagnosing a gummy smile
The most important step for treating any dental concern is an accurate diagnosis. Because excessive gum display can be caused by multiple factors, determining the exact reason in your situation is critical to achieving the outcome you want. We take a completely personalized approach to our care here at Advanced Dentistry. Using the latest diagnostic tools and high-tech equipment, we can accurately identify the cause of your gummy smile and help you understand what exactly is going on in your mouth.
What happens after our diagnosis?
- We’ll explain possible treatment options
- Outline how these treatments may benefit your smile
- Refer you to the appropriate specialists to help you fix your gummy smile concerns
How to fix a gummy smile
Crown lengthening & gum contouring
During crown lengthening surgery, gum tissue is removed, the bone is modified, and your gum line is ideally contoured to establish a longer and more aesthetically appealing appearance to your teeth.
We often recommend crown lengthening as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to improve the health and beauty of your smile.
Veneers or crowns
Your gummy smile may be the result of short upper teeth. Short teeth can be caused by day-to-day wear or even genetics.
Veneers or dental crowns are an effective dental restoration that can make your teeth appear longer and balance out your teeth and gums, making your smile less gummy.
Lip lowering or Botox
If excessive gum display is caused by either a short or hypermobile upper lip that exposes too much gum, lip lowering or Botox treatments might be the answer.
A lip lowering procedure repositions the upper lip to restrict the pull of the muscles that lift the upper lip, making the gum line less exposed.
Similarly, Botox reduces the high pulling effect and lets your upper lip better rest over the gum tissue.
Loving your smile is easy
Drs. Halmos, Manning, and Redmond are recognized experts on improving the appearance of your smile. We take a comprehensive approach to patient care, working hand-in-hand with experts in their fields to provide a seamless treatment experience.
Taking this comprehensive and personalized approach, we ensure the outcome of your gummy smile treatment complements your facial structure and gives you a natural, effortless appearance.
Interested in learning more about what sets us apart?
"Calm and relaxed atmosphere, personable staff, this office has everything dialed in to provide a comfortable and professional experience. Dr. Manning’s ability to put you completely at ease is coupled with an expert skill set. The procedure was painless and much shorter than I expected. I will definitely refer my friends to this office."
-Lance T.
Our Office
11790 SW Barnes Rd, #260
Portland, OR 97225
Mon-Thurs: 8:00am to 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am to 4:00pm
Call (503) 352-3224
Schedule Your Consultation
No referral needed! Call (503) 352-3224 to get started.