While it may seem like just a cosmetic issue, a gummy smile can often indicate an underlying skeletal, dental, or airway-related problem. At the Orthospaceship, we take a Whole-Health Orthodontic approach to diagnosing and treating gummy smiles, ensuring that we address both aesthetics and function for long-term health benefits. There are various types of orthodontic & dental treatment for a gummy smile depending on the patient’s condition. You can visit us at the Orthospaceship for the best orthodontic treatment in Los Angeles.
Causes of gingival display
Before treating a gummy smile, we must determine the underlying cause. The three primary contributors are:
- Skeletal Issues: The structure of the jaw bones plays a significant role in the appearance of a gummy smile. If the upper jaw (maxilla) grows downward excessively, it can expose more gum tissue when a child smiles.
- Dental Issues: In some cases, the upper front teeth erupt too far down, creating an uneven gum-to-tooth ratio.
- Soft Tissue Issues: Sometimes a hyper-mobile upper lip can be the key contributor to a gummy smile.
Various facial features can cause a gummy smile. For example, your upper lip can influence gummy smile formation. If the upper lip is hyperactive and opens a little bit higher than usual, it displays more of the gum causing a gummy smile. A gummy smile can also be linked to jaw growth and development as the child grows.
If the jaw grows outward above teeth, it will tend to expose more of the gum when you smile. Teeth growth can also influence gingival display. If the teeth grow fast and continually after the removal of teeth in children, it may also trigger the development of the gum beneath it causing a gummy smile. Most of these cases require adequate surgical treatment.
At our office, we use 3D CBCT imaging, comprehensive in-person analyses, and mounted study models to analyze the entire skull and identify the precise cause of a gummy smile. These advanced diagnostic technologies allow us to see beyond the surface, ensuring that we create the most effective and least invasive treatment plan possible.
A Gummy Smile Could Indicate a Bigger Issue
Recent research suggests that gummy smiles in adults are often linked to mouth breathing, which typically begins in childhood. Mouth breathing can alter jaw development, causing excessive downward growth and leading to increased gum display.
Common underlying issues associated with a gummy smile include:
- Mouth breathing and airway restrictions
- Sleep apnea risk factors
- Jaw misalignment or poor facial growth patterns
Since mouth breathing can have a profound impact on overall health, treatment often requires a team approach between an orthodontist, pediatrician, and ENT specialist. Orthodontically, we can improve nasal breathing by creating more space for the tongue, expanding the palate to improve airflow, and directing proper jaw growth to prevent long-term issues.
The Importance of Early Intervention
The best way to treat a gummy smile is to prevent it from worsening in the first place. Early intervention can guide proper facial development, ensuring a child’s jaw grows in a way that supports nasal breathing, proper tongue posture, and balanced aesthetics.
Using techniques like palatal expansion, we can help prevent mouth breathing, optimize airway function, and ensure the natural growth of the jaws and facial structure. If a gummy smile is identified early, gentle orthodontic intervention can redirect growth and prevent the need for invasive treatment in the future.
Why Timing Matters: The Growing Tree Analogy
We often compare orthodontic treatment to guiding a growing tree. While a tree is still growing, it’s easy to shape it in the right direction with simple interventions. But once it’s fully matured, correcting its path requires cutting and restructuring – a much more invasive process. The same applies to jaw growth. Early intervention allows us to guide development naturally, avoiding the need for surgery later in life.
Treatment Options for Gummy Smiles
A gummy smile can be treated in a variety of ways. Treatment is usually done by a pediatric dentist who has been certified in oral surgery. After visiting the dentist for a consultation, they select the best method of treatment depending on the cause of the condition. Here are the most common treatments you can get for a gummy smile.
Orthodontic Treatment
If a gummy smile is due to misaligned teeth or an improper bite, orthodontic treatment like braces or clear aligners can help reposition the teeth and create a more balanced smile. Misaligned teeth usually lead to the growth of gums in an uneven manner which can sometimes cause a gummy smile. In such a case, the dentist or orthodontist can recommend braces or aligners to correct the positioning of teeth before gum removal can be done (if needed).
Non-Surgical Treatment: The Power of TADs
A decade ago, severe gummy smiles could only be corrected with jaw surgery. While the results were effective, the procedure was invasive, costly, and required a long recovery period. Fortunately, modern orthodontics has introduced Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs), a game-changing, non-surgical alternative.
TADs (also known as mini-screws) are tiny orthodontic implants, less than 2mm in diameter, placed in the gums under local anesthesia. These screws act as anchors, allowing us to gently pull the teeth upward and reduce gum display—achieving results that were once only possible with surgery. The procedure is:
- Quick and easy (placed in-office in under 5 minutes)
- Non-invasive with no downtime
- Highly effective at reducing excessive gum show
We’ve successfully treated many young and older patients using TADs, completely transforming their smiles and self-confidence. (Check out our before & after images!)
Gum Reshaping Procedures
For cases where excessive gum tissue contributes to a gummy smile, gum reshaping procedures such as laser treatment and surgical gum contouring can help redefine the gum line and create a more balanced smile. These procedures are ideal for cases where the teeth appear short due to excessive gum coverage.
Same-day laser treatments
Excess gum on the front of a tooth may be removed with laser therapy. If the dentist determines that your gummy smile is caused by excessive gum growth, they may opt to remove part of the gum in order to make the grin less sticky. This treatment takes only one day and has an excellent success rate.
Surgical gum removal
In cases where gum overgrowth is more significant or involves the underlying jawbone, a periodontist or general dentist may perform surgical gum and bone reshaping for a more permanent solution.
Both of these procedures can be performed by a general dentist or periodontist, depending on the severity of the case, and they offer long-lasting aesthetic improvements.
Signs Parents Should Watch For
If your child already has a visible gummy smile, it’s a good idea to schedule a check-up with an orthodontist. However, even if a gummy smile hasn’t developed yet, watch for signs of mouth breathing—a major contributing factor. Addressing mouth breathing early can help prevent gummy smiles and other complications down the road.
Beyond Aesthetics: How a Gummy Smile Impacts Overall Health
A gummy smile is not just about looks—it can affect a child’s breathing, function, and even sleep quality. Many children and adults with gummy smiles struggle to keep their lips together at rest, which can impact airway function and long-term health. Proper orthodontic treatment not only enhances the smile but also improves breathing, jaw stability, and facial harmony.
Why Choose a Whole-Health Orthodontist?
When considering treatment for a gummy smile, it’s important to work with an orthodontic team that looks beyond just teeth and gums. At our practice, we treat the entire dentofacial complex, ensuring that every patient receives comprehensive care tailored to their unique facial structure and health needs.
By practicing Whole-Health Orthodontics, we don’t just fix one issue in isolation—we create treatment plans that ensure patients are healthier, happier, and more confident for a lifetime.
Transform Your Smile Today!
If you’re concerned about a gummy smile—whether for your child or yourself—now is the best time to take action. Our advanced diagnostic tools and modern treatment options allow us to customize a plan that fits your needs.
Schedule a complimentary consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile!