If not only the teeth but also a lot of gums are visible when smiling, this is known as a gummy smile. Many of those affected find this smile unattractive. They avoid smiling in front of other people or withdraw from their social environment. However, it doesn't have to come to this, as there are various ways to help you regain a carefree, beautiful smile. As your dentist in Zurich, we will be happy to show you the different treatment options for a gummy smile. Arrange a no-obligation consultation at our practice on Löwenplatz now!
Frequently asked questions about Gummy Smile correction in Zurich
Who is a Gummy Smile correction suitable for?
For patients who suffer from a gummy smile, an appropriate correction can significantly improve their quality of life. Good oral and dental health is a prerequisite for treatment.
What needs to be considered after a Gummy Smile correction?
After treatment, it is important to avoid infections in the mouth. The mouth should therefore be rinsed with a special solution at the dental practice. Strict oral hygiene should be observed at home. Avoid spicy and excessively hot food and drink for the first week after treatment. After that, the healing process is complete for most patients and they can eat and drink normally again.
Can a gummy smile recur after the operation?
Unlike minimally invasive treatment, for example, surgery is an intervention with permanent results. As the cause of the gum smile is eliminated with the operation, recurrence is not to be expected.
Does a Gummy Smile correction involve risks?
Gummy smile correction is generally considered to be a very low-risk and low-complication procedure. Nevertheless, slight swelling and pain may occur after the treatment. However, the latter can be treated well with conventional painkillers. In rare cases, wound healing disorders or infections can occur in the mouth area, which slow down the healing process.
What is a Gummy Smile?
In a gummy smile, the relationship between the upper lip, gums and teeth, which can be seen in a smile, is not in balance. While the bite and position of the teeth are normal, an above-average amount of gum is visible.
What can cause a gummy smile?
The gum smile can have various causes:
- Gum excess: In this case, the gums cover the teeth much more than usual. This makes the teeth appear smaller.
- Overdeveloped sternocleidomastoid muscle: If the sternocleidomastoid muscle is above average, it lifts the upper lip too much so that more gums are visible.
- Small teeth: Some people have naturally small teeth, which has the same visual effect as excess gums.
- Too strong a connection between the upper lip and the gums: If the connection between the upper lip and the gums is too strong, the area where the gums are visible is also larger than usual.
What treatment methods are available for a gummy smile correction?
A gummy smile is not a disease, even if the gums are often dry and slightly reddened. Rather, it is an aesthetic problem for those affected, which can also be accompanied by a great deal of suffering. This makes it all the more important to find a suitable treatment method for gummy smile correction. Depending on the cause, the following treatment options are available:
- Excess gums: gingivectomy
- Overdeveloped lifting muscle: Botox injections or myotomy
- Small tooth size: crowns or veneers
- Connection between upper lip and gums too strong: surgical intervention
How does a Gummy Smile correction work?
As different as the causes of gummy smiles are, so too are the correction options. We therefore take a lot of time before treatment to find the most suitable treatment for you. Together we will draw up an individual treatment plan in our dental practice in Zurich. The correction itself varies depending on the procedure used:
- Excess gums: The excess gum is removed using a laser (gingivectomy). This procedure is completely painless. Alternatively, a microsurgical procedure with a sliding flap also leads to the desired result.
- Overdeveloped lifting muscle: If the gummy smile is due to an overdeveloped lifting muscle, this can be corrected in two ways: One option is to weaken the muscle with botulinum toxin. This means that it can no longer pull the upper lip upwards as much, which then covers the gums more. However, Botox injections only work for a few months. For long-lasting results, they must be renewed regularly. Alternatively, it is possible to surgically weaken the lifting muscle. The so-called myotomy is performed under local anesthesia.
- Smaller teeth: The size of teeth that are too small cannot be changed, but their appearance can. This is possible with crowns or veneers. While crowns enclose the entire tooth, veneers are veneers made of wafer-thin porcelain or ceramic that are bonded to the teeth to make the tooth surface appear larger.
- Too strong a connection between the upper lip and the gums: The upper lip can be detached from the gums by means of a surgical procedure under local anesthesia.
Contact
Dentist Zurich - finest smile
Seidengasse 20
8001 Zurich
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday
7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Phone
044 504 57 56