Many people feel self-conscious about their smile because too much gum shows compared with the size of their teeth. This is known as a gummy smile.
A common clinical guideline is that a smile is considered “gummy” when gingival display exceeds ~4 mm. Even so, it’s usually an esthetic concern, not a pathological one, since chewing function is not affected.
Beyond simple measurements and proportions, several underlying causes can make a smile appear gummy:
- Altered tooth eruption, leaving an excessive band of gum visible.
- A hyperactive upper lip that lifts higher than usual and exposes more gingiva.
- A protrusive or vertically long upper jaw (maxillary excess) relative to the rest of the face.
- Excessive wear of the upper teeth, shortening their length so the gums appear disproportionately tall.
If teeth are shorter than normal either from over-eruption of gum tissue or tooth wear the excess gingiva can be surgically trimmed and sculpted through esthetic crown lengthening (gingival recontouring) to increase the visible height of the tooth.
Issues related to eruption are typically corrected with orthodontics; if teeth have been significantly worn, they can later be rebuilt with crowns or veneers. When the root cause is an overly long upper jaw, the definitive solution is orthognathic surgery, which repositions the maxilla (often by impaction) to reduce gingival display when smiling.
This informational post explains what a gummy smile is and how it can be corrected. Whether with veneers, orthodontics, or surgery, the goal is a harmonious proportion between teeth, gums, and lips. This content is general in nature. To receive a personalized treatment plan and achieve the smile you want, a professional evaluation is essential.
If you’d like to improve smile proportions and show less gum, book a consultation. Contact us via WhatsApp, phone call, or through our form.
