Personal Injury Attorney
A gummy smile is a condition where the upper lip of an individual pulls back far enough to expose too much of the gum tissue when they smile. While this can be caused by genetics, it can also occur as a result of misalignment in the teeth or an overdeveloped muscle in the upper lip. The reason for this misalignment can often be an injury sustained from an accident, as any personal injury attorney can attest; they often see those who have suffered injuries need dental assistance to protect their mouth for the future.
Thankfully, there is a gummy smile treatment available for everyone. Here are some of the most popular variations of treatment.
Crown Lengthening: This procedure involves surgically removing excess gum tissue and bone from around your tooth to make them appear longer. It’s usually used when other cosmetic treatments like crowns or veneers cannot provide enough coverage for your teeth due to the excessive amount of gum tissue that is present.
Botox Treatment: Injections of botox into the muscles around your mouth can help decrease how far up your upper lip pulls back when you smile, thus reducing the amount of visible gumline in photos or when talking to others.
Orthodontic Treatments: If your gummy smile is caused by misaligned teeth, braces or invisalign may be able to help move them into their correct positions and provide a more natural-looking smile line with less gum exposure.
Lip Repositioning Surgery: In extreme cases, where other treatments have not been effective, lip repositioning surgery may be necessary. This involves moving both the skin and muscles around the mouth area in order to create a more even distribution between teeth and gum tissue during smiling or talking movements.
No matter what type of gummy smile you might have, there are many different ways to treat it and improve the appearance of your smile! Be sure to consult with your dentist before selecting any type of treatment so they can recommend what would work best for you based on individual features present in your mouth.
Verify that your dentist has experience treating gummy smiles as these can require very specialized care, so it is important that your dentist is familiar with the best methods of treatment. You can ask friends and family for recommendations as to what dentists to visit in the area. If you are working with a personal injury attorney after having been involved in an accident, you can also ask your lawyer for their suggestions for dentists. They will be able to point you in the right direction. Always make sure to also do your own research, and once you find a dentist ask them lots of questions to ensure that you feel comfortable working with them.
If you are suffering from a gummy smile, it is important to seek out help from an experienced dentist. Contact one in your area today for a better looking smile and better long term oral health.