General information · Not dental advice
This article is general information written for a wide audience, not advice about your mouth. We always recommend seeing a dentist. Nothing on this site can examine your mouth or tell you what is wrong. If something hurts, looks wrong, or worries you, book an exam, and go sooner if it is getting worse.
Emergency? If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading toward your eye or neck, a fever with facial swelling, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Full disclaimer
Pick the description closest to what you see.
Choose the closest match to see what to do, in order.
Common patterns only · An exam and x-rays are the only way to assess a bite
What matters for treatment is the cause, because there are four main ones: the upper lip, the gum tissue, the position of the front teeth, and the upper jaw. Each is handled by a different kind of clinician and a different kind of procedure, and an option that suits one cause does little for another.
A general dentist is usually the place to start. They can examine your teeth and gums, work out which cause or causes are involved, and refer you to a periodontist, orthodontist or oral surgeon if needed. Nothing here can tell you which type you have.
01
What Counts as a Gummy Smile
People usually start describing a smile as gummy when a clear band of gum is visible above the teeth, or when the teeth look short next to the gum. Since this is a judgement about proportion, two people with the same smile can feel differently about it, and both views are valid.
When dentists assess gum display, they generally look at:
- How much tooth and gum show with the lips at rest and in a full smile
- The length and shape of the upper front teeth
- How long the upper lip is and how far it lifts
- Whether the gumline is even from side to side
- The proportions of the face and how the teeth bite together
02
The Four Main Causes
03
How the Cause Is Worked Out
- Looks at the lips at rest, while speaking, and in a full smile, often with photos or video
- Measures the visible length of the front teeth and compares it with their expected proportions
- Gently measures the gum around each tooth to find where the gum, the enamel edge and the bone sit
- Takes x-rays of the teeth, and sometimes a side view of the skull to assess the jaws
- Checks how the teeth bite together
The bite is part of the picture because a deep overbite and a long upper jaw both change the options. If you would like to describe your bite more clearly before the visit, the bite type guide shows the common patterns, what orthodontists look at for each, and questions worth asking. It does not diagnose anything.
04
Who Treats Which Kind
- General dentist: the usual starting point. Examines the teeth and gums, treats inflammation, and refers on. May also place veneers or crowns as part of a plan.
- Periodontist: a specialist in the gums and the bone around teeth. Typically handles gum reshaping, crown lengthening and some lip procedures.
- Orthodontist: a specialist in moving teeth and guiding the bite. Handles front teeth that sit too low and bite problems that go with them.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeon: handles surgery on the jaw itself, working alongside an orthodontist.
- Clinicians who provide lip injections: which licensed professionals may give these depends on state rules.
More involved cases are often planned by two or three of these together.
05
Typical Options, by Cause
06
Is a Gummy Smile a Health Problem?
There are situations where health comes into it:
- Gums that have become enlarged or puffy. Overgrown gum is harder to clean around and can trap plaque. It needs a dental exam.
- Gum overgrowth linked to a medicine. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. Speak to the doctor who prescribed it and to your dentist.
- A deep bite. Lower teeth that bite into the gum behind the upper teeth, or heavy wear, are reasons an orthodontist may suggest treatment regardless of appearance.
- Lips that cannot close comfortably. This can go with mouth breathing and a dry mouth, which a dentist can assess.
Be cautious about exercises, tapes or devices promoted online for a gummy smile. Ask a dentist before trying anything on your gums or lips, and never cut, burn or trim gum tissue yourself.
07
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
- What is causing the gum display in my case, and is there more than one cause?
- Which option addresses that cause, and which would only disguise it?
- Is the change permanent, temporary, or likely to drift back?
- What are the risks, and what happens if I do nothing?
- Who would carry out each step, and in what order?
- What is the total fee in writing, and what does it include?
Dental plans commonly exclude procedures done only for appearance, though rules differ by plan, so confirm with your own plan before assuming either way. The visit prep tool can help you organise your questions and notes.
08
When to See a Dentist Sooner
- Your gums have recently become swollen, are growing over your teeth or braces, or bleed easily
- A tooth feels loose or your bite has changed
- Your gums or the roof of your mouth are sore where your lower teeth bite
After any gum, lip or jaw procedure, follow the instructions from the clinician who treated you, and contact that office about bleeding, increasing pain or swelling.
Trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, fever with facial swelling, or bleeding that will not stop are emergencies: call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Key Takeaways
- The lip, the gum tissue, the position of the front teeth and the upper jaw can each be responsible, alone or together
- Periodontists handle gum and bone around the teeth, orthodontists handle tooth position, and oral surgeons handle the jaw
- Options range from gum reshaping and orthodontic treatment to lip treatments and jaw surgery, each with limits and risks
- Treatment is optional when the gums and bite are healthy
- Newly swollen or overgrown gums are a reason for an exam
Start with a dentist. They can examine your teeth and gums, tell you what is behind the gum display in your case, and refer you to the right specialist to discuss the options.
Table 1 — Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a gummy smile?
There are four main causes: an upper lip that is short or lifts high, gum tissue that covers more of the teeth than usual, upper front teeth that sit too low, and an upper jaw that has grown long vertically. They often overlap. A dentist can work out which apply through an exam, measurements and x-rays.
Which kind of dentist treats a gummy smile?
It depends on the cause. A periodontist typically treats excess gum and the bone around teeth, an orthodontist treats tooth position and the bite, and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats the jaw. A general dentist is usually the starting point and can refer you to the right specialist after an exam.
Can braces fix a gummy smile?
Sometimes. When the cause is upper front teeth sitting too low, often with a deep overbite, an orthodontist may be able to move them upward so less gum shows. Braces do not address a high-lifting lip or excess gum tissue. An orthodontist can say whether tooth position is part of the cause for you.
Is gum reshaping for a gummy smile permanent?
The tissue that is removed does not return, so the change is generally lasting when the procedure matches the cause. If only gum is trimmed while the bone edge sits close to the enamel, the gum can grow back, which is why some cases involve reshaping bone as well. The treating clinician decides this from measurements.
Does insurance cover gummy smile treatment?
Dental plans commonly exclude procedures done only for appearance, and coverage rules differ from plan to plan. Treatment tied to a functional or health need, such as certain jaw surgery or gum disease care, may be handled differently. Ask the office for a written estimate and check your own plan documents before deciding.
Do I need to treat a gummy smile?
No, not when the gums are healthy and the bite is comfortable. It is a matter of personal preference. See a dentist if your gums have become swollen or overgrown, if your lower teeth bite into the gum behind your upper teeth, or if you would like to know what options exist.
Medical disclaimer
The information provided on Urgent Dental Helper is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Urgent Dental Helper is not a dental practice, and nothing here has examined your mouth. Always see a licensed dentist, physician, or other qualified health provider in person about any dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or any result you received on this website.
