What is gummy smile treatment?
A gummy smile treatment aims to harmonise the ratio between visible gums and teeth when smiling. In dentistry, a gummy smile is when more than 3-4 mm of gums is visible above the teeth when smiling. The treatment includes various methods, which are selected depending on the cause of the gummy smile. At our modern dentistry practice in Leipzig, we offer gummy smile correction. A commonly used method is minimally invasive gingivectomy, in which excess gum tissue is precisely removed to expose the natural length of the teeth. This treatment is particularly suitable for minor corrections of up to 1-2 mm and can be performed particularly gently using state-of-the-art laser technology, which can reduce bleeding and make healing easier. For more extensive corrections, we offer surgical crown lengthening in combination with Digital Smile Design (DSD). This involves creating a customised template for precise modelling of the bone and gums. This modern method is combined with subsequent prosthetic restoration using veneers to achieve an optimal aesthetic result.
Reasons for gummy smile treatment
The decision to correct a gummy smile is based on both aesthetic and psychological reasons. Many of our patients report that they find their gummy smile unattractive and disturbing, which affects their self-esteem and social interactions. A common reason is an overactive lip-raising muscle, which causes the upper lip to be pulled up too far when smiling, exposing too much gums. Anatomical factors such as a short upper lip or a vertically elongated upper jaw can also contribute to a pronounced gummy smile. Excess gums, where the teeth are covered by more gums than average and thus appear shorter, can also be a reason.