A gummy smile shows more gum tissue than usual when smiling. Normally, a small part of the gums is visible when people smile, but certain cases are classified as gummy smiles.
What is a Gummy Smile?
The perfect smile relies on balance. In cosmetic dentistry, a gummy smile exposes about 4 mm of gum tissue. Ideally, only about 2 mm of gums should be visible.
Causes of Gummy Smile:
Excessive Gum Tissue Growth: The most common reason. Some individuals have gum tissue growing beyond the normal rate, making the teeth appear smaller and gums swollen when smiling. Causes include medication and genetics.
Hyperactive Lip Muscle: The muscle that moves the area between the nose and lips may raise the lips higher than usual, revealing more gum tissue when smiling. This also has genetic reasons.
Jaw Anatomy: The shape of the jaw can impact the gums. If the upper jaw is too prominent, more gum tissue may be visible.