When you smile, do you feel like too much of your gums show? This common aesthetic concern, known as a “gummy smile,” affects many people and can impact confidence in social and professional settings. While a perfect smile is subjective, those who show excessive gingival display (more than 3-4 millimeters of gum tissue) when smiling may feel self-conscious about their appearance.
At Eccella Smiles in Jacksonville Beach, we understand how your smile affects your self-image and overall confidence. The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry offers several effective solutions to address a gummy smile, each tailored to the specific cause and your unique facial anatomy. Our team provides personalized treatment plans to help you achieve the balanced, beautiful smile you desire.
4 Treatment Options to Transform a Gummy Smile
When you come to Eccella Smiles with the hope of transforming your smile, our team can help by offering the following services:
1. Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that removes excess gum tissue to expose more of your natural tooth structure. This technique effectively recontours the gumline to create better proportions between your teeth and gums.
During the procedure, our experienced dental team carefully reshapes the gum tissue and, if necessary, adjusts the underlying bone to reveal more of your tooth surface. The result is a more balanced smile with teeth that appear longer and more proportionate. Crown lengthening also provides the added benefit of making your teeth easier to clean, potentially improving your overall oral health. Recovery is typically quick, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days and enjoying their new smile after complete healing in 1-2 weeks.
2. Laser Gum Recontouring
Laser gum recontouring offers a high-tech, less invasive alternative to traditional gum surgery. This advanced treatment uses a precise dental laser to gently remove and reshape excess gum tissue with exceptional accuracy and minimal discomfort.
The laser simultaneously seals blood vessels during treatment, resulting in significantly less bleeding, swelling, and post-procedure pain compared to conventional methods. Many patients appreciate that laser recontouring can often be completed in just one visit with topical anesthesia, requiring minimal downtime. The results are immediate and dramatic – a beautifully proportioned smile with a more aesthetically pleasing gumline. This option works particularly well for patients with healthy gum tissue who simply show too much of it when smiling.
3. Botox Therapy
For those whose gummy smile results from hyperactive upper lip muscles rather than excess gum tissue, Botox therapy provides a quick, non-surgical solution. When strategically injected into the muscles responsible for elevating the upper lip, Botox temporarily relaxes these muscles, reducing how high the lip rises when smiling.
This simple treatment takes just minutes to perform with virtually no downtime, making it perfect for those with busy schedules. Results typically appear within 3-7 days and last about 3-4 months before a touch-up is needed. While not a permanent solution, Botox therapy offers immediate improvement without surgery and can be an excellent option for patients wanting to “test drive” a less gummy smile before considering more permanent procedures. Many patients choose to maintain their results with periodic touch-ups as part of their regular cosmetic maintenance routine.
4. Orthodontic Correction
When a gummy smile results from skeletal or dental positioning issues, orthodontic treatment may be the most appropriate solution. If your upper jaw extends too far downward (vertical maxillary excess) or your teeth haven’t erupted properly, orthodontic intervention can address these underlying structural causes.
Modern orthodontic options include traditional braces, clear aligners like Invisalign, and in some cases, temporary anchorage devices (TADs) that help reposition the teeth and jaw. For more severe cases, orthodontic treatment might be combined with orthognathic (jaw) surgery for comprehensive correction. Though this approach typically takes longer than other treatments—ranging from several months to a couple of years—it provides long-lasting results by addressing the root cause of your gummy smile. Many patients find that these treatments not only improve aesthetics but also enhance dental function and oral health.
Transform Your Smile at Eccella Smiles
Your smile is uniquely yours, and at Eccella Smiles, we believe you deserve to feel completely confident when showing it to the world. Our experienced team, led by Dr. Sox, will conduct a thorough evaluation of your smile, discussing your specific concerns and goals. We’ll explain all your treatment options in detail, helping you choose the approach that best suits your situation, preferences, and budget.
Don’t let a gummy smile hold back your confidence any longer. Contact our Jacksonville Beach office today at (904) 834-3737 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward achieving the balanced, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. With our personalized care and advanced treatment options, you’ll soon be flashing your smile with pride in every personal and professional interaction.
