A dazzling smile makes a great first impression. However, you might hold back if you feel self-conscious about your teeth or showing too much gum. Fortunately, modern dentistry can help.
At Dental Arts of Edgewater in Edgewater, New Jersey, Dr. Michael Moawad assesses your oral health and makes recommendations for beautifying your smile.
What is a gummy smile?
Dentists often refer to a gummy smile as an excessive gingival display. Just as it sounds, it’s when your smile shows a lot of gum. When your smile is disproportionate in gum versus teeth, your teeth might appear smaller or uneven because there’s so much gum in comparison.
What causes a gummy smile?
A gummy smile can have many potential causes. From genetics to gum disease, hormone changes, and even certain medications can lead to excessive gums.
Genetically speaking, an overgrown upper jawbone or an upper lip that lifts higher than typical when you smile can make you flash more gum than pearly whites. Additionally, neglecting your oral health can lead to gum diseases like gingivitis which inflames your gums.
Hormonal changes can also cause your gums to swell. Puberty, pregnancy, and menopause all create changes in your body, including increased blood flow to your gums. Sometimes, such blood flow is noticeable.
There are even some medications that can cause your gums to grow as a side effect. These include calcium channel blockers common for treating migraines or panic attacks.
While excess gums aren’t necessarily a dental health problem, many people enjoy cosmetic dental surgery to correct it.
The solution to a gummy smile? Veneers
Veneers are custom-made shells that fit over your teeth. They hide cracks and discoloration and can make your teeth look elongated to appear more in proportion to your gums.
Veneers are made of composites or porcelain, and Dr. Moawad goes tooth by tooth, removing a small amount of enamel so your new veneers fit perfectly. He may also remove a small amount of your gumline to help your teeth and gums blend naturally. Usually, veneers will last 10-15 years with proper care.
Who makes a good candidate for veneers?
First, you need to have good oral health. If you have gum disease or other dental problems, those need to be addressed first. You also need to have a stable jaw and bite alignment. If you have underlying orthodontic issues, we need to fix those. There’s no point in upgrading your teeth without fixing underlying structural problems.
If all of those boxes are checked, and you’d simply like to reduce your gummy smile with whiter, brighter, and perfectly shaped teeth, veneers can be an excellent solution.
If you’re ready for Dr. Moawad to assess your dental health and discuss your options, you can schedule your appointment at Dental Arts of Edgewater today by calling our office or requesting an appointment online.