Bothered by Your Gummy Smile? We Can Help

Your smile is often the first thing others notice about you. If you find yourself hiding your smile because more of your gums show than you would like, consider a cosmetic dentistry treatment. 

At Vasona Family Dentistry in Los Gatos, California, we find all smiles beautiful, but we also care about your personal comfort and confidence. 

For this reason, Dr. Neda Zadeh and our team provide advanced cosmetic dental services, including those that can effectively improve your gummy smile. Take a moment to learn more about these options.

Gummy smile basics

Experts have estimated that up to 10% of adults aged 20-30 consider their smile gummy, including more women than men. There’s no standard definition, but a smile with 3-4 millimeters of exposed gumline is usually considered a bit disproportionate. 

Causes of a gummy smile include:

• Certain medications, such as those that suppress your immune system
• Genetic factors or family history of gummy smiles
• Excessive amounts of gum tissue
• Particularly small teeth
• How wide your lips open when you smile
• Periodontal disease

Gummy smile treatment options

Numerous cosmetic dentistry treatments can help correct a gummy smile, including crown lengthening. During this procedure, we work closely with a periodontist to shift your gums so that a more desired amount is exposed. 

Veneers can also reduce the gumminess of your smile by covering more of your gum area with a thin cover that looks just like your natural teeth. Veneers can also help correct other issues that may bother you, such as misshapen or chipped teeth.

In other cases, dentures or dental implants are the best choice for reducing a gummy smile. 

If you have particularly small teeth, for example, or a gummy smile due to lost or severely damaged teeth, dentures and dental implants can take the place of those teeth in an aesthetically appealing way. 

While dentures are removable, dental implants are embedded into your gum and function just like regular teeth.

If your gummy smile is related to a form of gum disease, such as periodontitis, treatment for the underlying condition is important. You can also lower your risk for gum disease-related issues by practicing positive oral hygiene habits and scheduling routine professional cleanings.

During an exam or consultation, Dr. Zadeh can help you decide on your best potential cosmetic option for your preferences and needs. 

To learn more about gummy smile treatments or get the care you need, call us at Vasona Family Dentistry or book a consultation via our website today. We would love to help you achieve a smile you feel confident about.