Gummy Smile Correction
A gummy smile is where more gum tissue than tooth is visible when you smile. It’s more common than most people realize, and more correctable than many expect. Whether the cause is excess gum tissue, jaw structure, or lip movement — there are minimally invasive options available to bring your smile into better balance.
Schedule a ConsultationWhat Causes a Gummy Smile?
Excessive gum display when smiling can stem from several different sources. In some patients, the gum tissue simply didn’t recede fully as adult teeth came in, leaving teeth that appear shorter than they actually are. In others, the upper jaw grew longer than typical, or the upper lip rises higher than average when smiling. Often, it’s a combination of factors, which is why your doctor will conduct an evaluation before any treatment is recommended.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Most patients who are bothered by excessive gum display and are in good overall oral health are strong candidates for correction. Active gum disease should be addressed before any cosmetic procedure, but beyond that, the range of available treatments means there’s a viable option for most situations. Your surgeon will assess the specific cause of your gummy smile before recommending a specific approach.
Treatment Options for Gummy Smile Correction
Because gummy smiles have different underlying causes, the treatment approach is tailored accordingly. Options include:
- Crown Lengthening: A surgical procedure that removes excess gum tissue and, when needed, reshapes the underlying bone to reveal more of the natural tooth
- Lip Repositioning Surgery: Addresses a hyperactive upper lip by limiting how far it rises when smiling
- Botox or Xeomin Injections: A non-surgical option for patients whose gummy smile is caused by excessive muscle activity in the upper lip
- Orthodontic Treatment: When jaw position or bite contributes to the appearance of excess gum tissue
- Laser Gum Contouring: Used for mild cases where tissue reshaping alone can improve the gum line
What to Expect
Your consultation begins with a comprehensive examination of your teeth, gums, and jawbone. Digital imaging then helps us map the relationship between your lip, gum tissue, and tooth structure, giving your surgeon a clear picture of what’s driving the issue and what will produce the most natural result.
Treatment is performed under local anesthesia, with sedation available for patients who prefer it. Recovery varies by procedure — some patients return to normal routines within a few days, while more involved surgical approaches may take a bit longer to heal. Your care team will walk you through expectations specific to your plan well before treatment begins.
A Smile That Reflects How You Actually Feel
Small changes to the balance between your gums and teeth can make a beautiful difference in how you look and how confidently you show it. Our surgeons bring surgical precision and genuine aesthetic sensibility to every gummy smile case. Schedule a consultation today to find out which approach is right for you.
Schedule a ConsultationCommon Questions About Gummy Smile Correction
Most procedures are performed under local anesthesia, and sedation options are available. Post-procedure soreness is normal and typically manageable within the first few days. Patients consistently find recovery more straightforward than they anticipated, and your care team will provide clear post-operative guidance from the start.
That’s the goal of every treatment plan we develop. Our approach prioritizes proportional, harmonious results — not an overcorrected appearance. Using digital imaging during the planning process, your surgeon can visualize the outcome before proceeding and adjust accordingly.
It depends on the treatment. Surgical procedures like crown lengthening and lip repositioning produce permanent structural changes. Neuromodulator injections will require periodic maintenance to sustain results. Your surgeon will set clear expectations for the longevity of whichever approach is best for your specific case.
Meet Our Surgeons
Our team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons brings decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to individualized patient-centered care.
Patient Testimonials
The most honest measure of our work is how our patients feel when they leave. Read what real patients across East Texas are saying about their care at Tyler Oral Facial Surgery.
