Genetics
Some people are born with thicker gum tissue or excess bone around the teeth, causing more of the gums to show when smiling.
Gummy Smile
Schedule an AppointmentA Balanced Smile Begins with Healthy Proportions
A balanced smile is one that reflects harmony between the teeth, gums, and lips. If you feel that too much of your gums show when you smile—or your teeth appear shorter than you would like—you may have what is often referred to as a “gummy smile.” While it is not typically a medical concern, a gummy smile can impact your self-esteem and the way you feel in social or professional settings.
At Park Cities Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we understand that even small changes in your smile can make a big difference in your confidence. Our team specializes in identifying the cause of gummy smiles and offering personalized treatment options to help you achieve a more balanced, natural-looking smile.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
Several factors can contribute to a gummy smile, and understanding the cause is key to selecting the right treatment:
Inflammation
During orthodontic treatment, the gums can become swollen in response to plaque buildup. While this usually resolves after braces are removed, excess gum tissue may remain.
Tooth Wear or Shape
Teeth may appear short due to natural size, wear, or grinding.
Hyperactive Upper Lip
In some cases, the muscles that control your upper lip may pull it up higher than average, exposing more gum tissue.
Jaw Position
A vertically overgrown upper jaw can cause more gum to be visible when smiling.
Why Treat a Gummy Smile?
While a gummy smile does not typically affect the health of your teeth or gums, it can affect how you feel about yourself. Many of our patients seek treatment to achieve a more balanced, harmonious look between their teeth, gums, and lips.
In some cases, if excess gum tissue traps bacteria, it can also create areas that are more difficult to keep clean—potentially leading to gum irritation or periodontal concerns down the line.
Whether you are looking to improve the balance of your smile or resolve discomfort from gum overgrowth, there are highly effective treatment options available.
Schedule an AppointmentTreatment for a Gummy Smile
At Park Cities Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we offer a range of advanced, comfortable treatments to help you achieve the smile you want:
Schedule an Appointment1
Esthetic Crown Lengthening
This is one of the most common procedures for treating a gummy smile. We carefully reshape the gumline—and sometimes a small amount of bone beneath it—to reveal more of your natural tooth. We often use a soft tissue laser to gently contour the gums, and in many cases, we can perform this under moderate sedation to ensure your comfort.
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Lip Repositioning
When a hyperactive upper lip is the cause, a minor surgical procedure can lower the resting position of the lip, reducing the amount of gum that shows when you smile.
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Restorative Collaboration
If your teeth are naturally short or have been worn down, we may work alongside your general dentist or cosmetic specialist to plan for veneers or crowns. In these cases, we adjust the gum height to allow for optimal esthetics and symmetry before restoring the teeth.
What to Expect
Before recommending any treatment, we will perform a comprehensive exam to evaluate your gum tissue, tooth proportions, and underlying bone structure, discuss your goals, and explain all of your options. This includes taking a 3D CBCT scan to visualize the underlying bone structure and determine exactly how much tissue can be adjusted safely and effectively. Whether you are looking for a small refinement or a more dramatic change, our team will tailor a plan that fits your needs and supports your long-term oral health.
With modern techniques, most patients find the process more straightforward and comfortable than expected, and many report feeling noticeably more confident in their smile afterward.
Schedule an Appointment
Smile with Confidence Again
If you have felt unsure about your smile because of excess gum tissue, effective treatment options are available. Our board-certified periodontists, Dr. Beth Tomlin and Dr. Stephanie Bowers, have extensive experience in treating gummy smiles and esthetically complex cases.
Our care is personalized, precise, and focused on your long-term comfort and confidence.
Contact Park Cities Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at 214-522-9700 to schedule a consultation, or easily request an appointment online.
Park Cities Periodontics And Implant Dentistry
Phone: (214) 522-9700
Fax: (214) 522-8181
Address: Preston Commons, East Tower