Your smile is something you are supposed to be proud of showing off. If you are not happy with your smile’s gummy look, you may choose to hide it. Unfortunately, this can result in you missing out on the important benefits of smiling, such as mild pain relief and stress reduction. Thankfully, a dentist in Tampa, Florida, can correct a gummy smile.  Dentists can provide different options to treat a gummy smile. Also, they will determine the right option for you, so you can have confidence in showing your smile again. 

What’s a Gummy Smile

You have a gummy smile if too much of your gum tissue is visible below your lip. Your gum line can become more visible due to a thin upper lip or an orthodontic condition. But a gummy smile is often caused by excessive growth of gum tissue over your teeth. Also, gum infection can cause your gums to swell and cover a big part of your teeth. Whatever the cause is, too much gum tissue can make your teeth look short and small compared with the rest of your face. 

How to Treat a Gummy Smile

How your dentist will approach your gummy smile treatment depends on its cause. For instance, a thin upper lip can be corrected with cosmetic fillers, while dental braces can fix a gummy smile due to an orthodontic problem. For swollen or excessive gum tissue, treatments also differ, and the best one depends on gum tissue health and the seriousness of the condition. The following are common treatments available in your dentist’s office:

• Gum contouring. During this procedure, your dentist will reposition your gum line and get rid of excess gum tissue. This process shows your tooth’s natural enamel, making it longer and more proportionate. 
• Root scaling and planing. This treatment is used when your gums are swollen because of gum disease due to infection and bacteria below your gum line. The procedure involves pulling your gums back and getting rid of plaque from your tooth down to the root. Then, the dentist will smooth out the root of the tooth and reattach your gums. 
• Gingivectomy. This involves removing the diseased or dead gum tissue. Often, dentists perform this procedure along with scaling and root planing.

Your dentist will determine the best procedure to correct your gummy smile. They will assess your gums and teeth and explain your options. No matter the right treatment for you, the dentist will give you personalized, quality care.