Gummy Smile Correction
A “gummy smile” (excessive gingival display) occurs when too much gum shows on smiling—often from short clinical crowns, altered passive eruption, a hyperactive upper lip, or vertical maxillary excess. At Auraliss, we diagnose the exact cause and craft a personalised plan ranging from gentle laser gum recontouring to crown lengthening, orthodontics, muscle-relaxing injections or—rarely—orthognathic surgery.
Why Choose Our Approach?
Etiology-Driven
We treat the cause—gingival, skeletal, or muscular—not just the appearance.
Minimally Invasive First
Laser sculpting and crown lengthening techniques prioritise tissue preservation and comfort.
Digital Planning
Photo/video smile analysis and Digital Smile Design ensure predictable, natural proportions.
Multidisciplinary Care
Periodontists, orthodontists and cosmetic dentists collaborate for the best outcome.
Who Is a Candidate?
- Visible gums >2–3 mm while smiling
- Short teeth due to altered passive eruption or excessive gum coverage
- High smile line with hyperactive upper lip elevator muscles
- Skeletal vertical maxillary excess (selected cases require surgical opinion)
Suitability depends on gum levels, bone position, lip mobility and tooth proportions—confirmed after clinical exam and imaging.
Treatment Options
- Laser Gingivectomy/Gingivoplasty: Reshapes excess gum for longer-looking teeth with minimal downtime.
- Surgical Crown Lengthening: Repositions gum and, when needed, bone to expose proper tooth height.
- Orthodontic Solutions: Intrusion of over-erupted teeth, bite correction or aligners to optimise display.
- Muscle-Relaxing Injections: Reduces upper-lip elevation in hyperactive cases (results ~4–6 months).
- Veneers/Restorations: Harmonise shape and proportion after soft-tissue correction.
- Orthognathic Surgery: For severe skeletal causes—performed with maxillofacial partners.
How Treatment Works
- Assessment: Photos, video smile analysis, periodontal probing; X-rays/CBCT as needed.
- Digital Planning: Smile simulation and proportion analysis to set target gum levels.
- Procedure: Laser sculpting or crown lengthening under local anaesthesia; optional adjuncts (aligners/injections).
- Healing: Soft diet, gentle hygiene, review checks; restorations planned once tissues stabilise.
- Finishing: Final polishing or veneers for perfected aesthetics where indicated.
Aftercare & Recovery
Laser cases usually settle within 3–5 days; crown lengthening requires 2–6 weeks for soft-tissue stabilisation before definitive restorations. Use prescribed rinses, avoid hot/spicy foods for 24 hours, and brush gently along the gumline. For muscle-relaxing injections, results appear in 3–7 days and last around 4–6 months.
Safety & Considerations
Temporary tenderness or sensitivity can occur. Over- or under-correction is minimised by precise digital planning and measured tissue removal. Smoking may delay healing. Some muscular cases need periodic maintenance. We will discuss all alternatives and expected stability before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We follow tooth–face proportion guides and test the new gum line digitally to achieve balanced, natural results.
Not at all. Many cases are corrected with laser recontouring and/or muscle-relaxing injections. Surgery is reserved for specific indications.
Gum recontouring/crown lengthening results are typically long-lasting. Muscle treatments usually last 4–6 months and can be maintained periodically.
Laser cases: back to normal within days. Crown lengthening: initial healing in 1–2 weeks, final tissue stability over several weeks before final ceramics.