If your gummy grin is because of a short upper lip or overactive muscles, there are some relatively simple medi-aesthetic solutions to minimise the appearance of your gums when you smile, without having to worry about surgery. After all, your smile should light up the room, not make you feel self-conscious! Keep reading to learn more about gummy smile and the options available for treatment.
What is a gummy smile?
The technical term for a gummy smile is excessive gingival display and it’s defined when there is 2-4 mm of gum visible when smiling. A gummy smile is the result of various factors, whether it be an excessive display of gum tissue that makes teeth appear shorter than they are or a thin upper lip. Overactive muscles around the upper lip can cause more gum tissue to show when smiling or the way in which the upper jawbone developed could also be the cause.
Lip fillers for a gummy smile
Lip fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are a quick option that reduce the amount of gum shown by increasing the thickness of your lips and helping to balance the shape. Usually the filler is only injected into the upper lip, however this is a choice that can be made in consultation with your nurse or doctor.
RELATED: Common Concerns – Smile Lines
Anti-wrinkle Injections for a gummy smile
Anti-wrinkle injections help those whose gummy smile is the result of overactive muscles around the upper lip. By pinpointing the overactive muscles or muscles close to the nose, anti-wrinkle injections relax said muscles and ultimately reduce the amount of gum shown when smiling, as the newly relaxed muscles are not pulling at the upper lip as much. Anti-wrinkle injections can last for up to 12 months, are non-invasive and only take around 30 minutes to administer with no recovery time needed.
Embrace your smile
You’re not alone – some of the world’s most recognisable smiles including those of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner and Gwen Stefani sport a gummy smile! Everyone’s smile is unique and that deserves to be celebrated!
If a gummy smile is leaving you or someone you love laughing less, Australian Skin Clinics offers free, no obligation consultations with our registered nurses and medical team. Find your local clinic here and book today!
