Do you show too much gum when you smile? Your Metairie, LA, periodontists, Dr. Eric Hebert and Dr. Barry Radell, of Dental Implants and Periodontics of Louisiana, offer treatments that can improve your gummy smile.
What causes a gummy smile?
A gummy smile occurs when your gum tissue covers too much of your teeth. Although a gummy smile may not affect your oral health, it can certainly make you feel self-conscious about your appearance.
Gummy smiles happen for many reasons, including:
- Too much movement in your upper lip when you smile
- Abnormal tooth eruption
- Grinding your teeth
- Wear and tear on your teeth
A gummy smile can also be inherited. If you have a gummy smile, you may notice that other family members have the same problem.
What can be done to correct a gummy smile?
During your visit to the Metairie office, your periodontist may recommend improving your gummy smile by removing the excess gum tissue covering your teeth. He'll use a laser or scalpel to remove the tissue during a minor oral surgical procedure. You'll receive anesthesia before the procedure begins to ensure that you don't feel any pain. Your dentist will discuss what surgery can do for your smile and share images that will show you what you can expect after the procedure.
If an upper lip issue is the cause of your gummy smile or contributes to the problem, you may benefit from lip surgery. The surgery prevents your upper lip from rising quite as much when you smile and reduces the amount of gum tissue you reveal.
Botox injections offer another option for a gummy smile. Injecting Botox on either side of your nose keeps the muscles that control your lips relaxed and prevents them from exposing too much gum. Botox injections offer a temporary solution and usually need to be repeated every three to four months if you'd like to maintain your new smile.
Do you dislike your gummy smile? Call your periodontists in Metairie, LA, Dr. Hebert, and Dr. Radell of Dental Implants and Periodontics of Louisiana, at (504) 885-2611 to schedule an appointment.