Types of Gummy Smiles
When patients comment on their gummy smiles, they may be referring to a single tooth, a specific group of teeth, or the entire jaw containing all of the teeth, in both the upper and lower parts of the mouth. These gummy smiles may be caused by an array of factors, such as previous orthodontic treatment, developmental or genetic influences, or medication-induced reactions. Gummy smiles are classified according to the amount of gum tissue that shows in relation to how much tooth structure is displayed when smiling. These classifications are determined by measuring the patient’s gum tissue as a percentage of total tooth length. Gummy smiles range from mild, moderate, and advanced, to severe.
Mild Gummy Smiles
If the amount of gum tissue displayed while smiling is less than 25% of the entire length of the teeth, it is considered a mild gummy smile.
Moderate Gummy Smiles
If the amount of gum tissue displayed is between 25% and 50% of the length of the teeth, it is considered a moderate gummy smile.
Advanced Gummy Smiles
If the amount of gum tissue displayed is between 50% and 100% of the length of the teeth, it is considered an advanced gummy smile.
Severe Gummy Smile
If the amount of gum tissue displayed is greater than 100% of the length of the teeth, it is considered a severe gummy smile.
There are various types of gummy smiles affecting all areas of the mouth. Single teeth may be affected, as well as groups of teeth, or even entire smiles. Some patients may be unhappy with the amount of gum tissue displayed above their front teeth (anterior teeth) when smiling. Others may be content with the gum level above their anterior teeth but feel as though they display too much gum tissue on their side teeth (posterior teeth) when smiling. Furthermore, gummy smiles may occur on only one side of the mouth, known as a unilateral posterior gummy smile, or on both sides, known as a bilateral posterior gummy smile. No matter what classification of gummy smile exists, patients always have gummy smile correction options. Let’s explore these gummy smile treatment procedures.
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