Gingivoplasty when treating the causes of a “gummy smile”
The term “gummy smile” is used when a disproportionately large area of gum is visible when smiling. This can have several different causes: excess soft tissue, vertical overgrowth of the upper jaw, a short or hyperactive upper lip, or a short clinical crown, when the crown part of the tooth is partially covered by gum. Gingivoplasty can be recommended if the problem mainly stems from the disproportion of the gum tissue, and the gum margin can be safely re-contoured while respecting the biological width. The decision is always preceded by personalized diagnostics: photo documentation, smile analysis, probing depths, assessment of bone level, and CBCT if necessary. This way, it can be determined whether the gummy smile is caused by soft tissue, bone, lip, or a combined cause, because only by knowing this will the gingivoplasty truly targeted and lasting.
Read more