How to Fix Gummy Look on Teeth

A gummy smile is one that shows a lot of upper gum when the person smiles broadly. There are several ways to correct a gummy smile, but the most effective way is through surgery performed by an oral surgeon. Surgery offers a permanent solution to a cosmetic problem. If you can handle the pain of getting surgery, then having a gingivectomy could be a viable option for you. If you would prefer a less invasive procedure, then having veneers put on your teeth will reduce the gummy look.

Instructions

• 1

  Determine your budget for getting rid of your gummy smile. These types of procedures can run into the thousands of dollars, so be prepared for the bill. Get dental insurance or a dental discount card so that you can potentially save some money.

• 2

  Ask your dentist about getting a gingivectomy. In this procedure, an oral surgeon uses a laser on your gum line to reveal more teeth crown. You will need to get local anesthesia for this procedure, which takes around an hour to finish. The disadvantages with this type of surgery include the pain involved and the risk of causing teeth to loosen over time. Also, tooth root exposure can cause the teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This permanent procedure costs around $200 to $400.

• 3

  Inquire about getting porcelain veneers if you don't want surgery. Porcelain veneers are very much like caps in that they fit over a tooth to give the appearance of perfect, straight white teeth. The dentist will lightly file down the sides of your teeth and fit very thin porcelain veneers over them. The veneers are about the thickness of contact lenses. As a permanent solution, veneers cost around $500 to $1,300 per tooth. The dentist can cover up a good portion of the upper gum line tissue with veneers and make your teeth look very white at the same time.

• 4

  Research a procedure called hypermobile lip surgery. The dentist will reattach your lip tissue closer down to the gum tissue so that when you smile, you show less gum line. You will need local anesthesia. This type of surgery costs more than $1,000 and may result in tighter lips or speech impediments, although these side effects are rare.