Gum Lift, Melbourne

Gummy Smile Treatment, Gum Lift & Contouring

Your smile is what makes you unique. However, if you’re afraid to show off your smile due to an excessive amount of gum tissue that is visible when you open your mouth, you may want to consider a gummy smile reduction. Speak to the professionals at Brunswick East Dental, who can help you get the smile you deserve. During your consultation, we’ll assess the shape and size of your teeth and lips, as well as look at your facial muscles and gum tissue to create a custom treatment plan. Our dedicated team has the necessary experience to give you the best in care, costs, and efficiency throughout your smile journey.

Gummy smile patient before and after

What is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile is used to describe when a person’s smile shows a disproportionate amount of their gums. When a person with a gummy smile laughs, their upper lip elevates too far above their teeth, revealing more of their gums than is considered aesthetically pleasing. In many cases the gums and bone covering the teeth are too thick and cover a significant amount of the tooth, leaving small short teeth that look squarish in shape. 

Gummy smiles can be a source of self-consciousness for some people. Fortunately, there are several gummy smile treatments in Melbourne that can reduce the appearance of a gummy smile, including Invisalign, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, gum lift/gum recontouring, anti-wrinkle injections, and lip augmentation with dermal fillers. Whilst the cost of gummy smile surgery can be a significant consideration, many people find that the benefits of the procedure outweigh the costs, including improved self-esteem, greater confidence when smiling, and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

At Brunswick East Dental, let us help you design your best smile at our state-of-the-art clinic. Book a consultation on (03) 9380 1204 with our experienced clinicians, who can discuss your suitability for treatment for a gummy smile reduction. The treatment procedure for a gummy smile usually involves a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth and gums to determine the underlying cause and the most appropriate course of management. Usually special 3D jaw x-rays are required to determine the amount of tooth and bone structure beneath the gums. 

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, a hyperactive upper lip muscle, tooth wear or a misaligned jaw. Below, we address the four common causes.

Misaligned teeth can cause a gummy smile because they can create an uneven gum line. When the teeth are not aligned properly, some teeth may appear shorter than others, even though they are actually the same length. This can cause an uneven gum line that makes the teeth appear shorter and the gums more prominent, resulting in a gummy smile.  Sometimes, a gummy smile may be the result of a developmental problem where a lot of good teeth are hiding under the excess gum.

When teeth are excessively worn down due to factors such as bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), or a misaligned bite, they can appear shorter than usual. This can make the gums appear more prominent and the teeth look small, resulting in a gummy smile. Conversely, gum wear/recession can also occur due to gum disease, certain medications, traumatic brushing or poor oral hygiene. This can have the reverse effect where the teeth look too long and can be treated with can have the reverse effect where the teeth look too long and can be treated with a gum graft to thicken up the gum

Our lips play a crucial role in determining how much gum is displayed when we smile. Individuals with a thin upper lip may appear to have a gummy smile, even though the rest of the oral anatomy is in the proper position. Additionally, some people have overactive lip muscles that can cause the upper lip to lift excessively, resulting in the exposure of excess gum tissue. This hypermobility of the upper lip muscles can also contribute to the appearance of a gummy smile. 

A ‘long face’ is a condition where the upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. In addition to a lack of facial balance and difficulties with oral function, it also creates the appearance of a gummy smile. This vertical discrepancy typically results in an even display of gum tissue in both the front and back teeth, and it can be a challenging condition to treat as it may require orthodontics and jaw surgery. 

Crown Lengthening (Esthetic):

How to Treat a Gummy Smile

If your gummy smile is discouraging you from smiling and affecting your self-confidence, there are several effective treatments available to help reduce the appearance of excess gum tissue. Our experienced dental professionals can help create a more balanced, aesthetically pleasing smile during your consultation.

You have four options for treating your gummy smile, ranging from non-invasive injectables to laser corrective gum surgery. A combination of treatment options can be used together to create the smile you’ve dreamt of.

Anti-wrinkle injections can be used to manage a gummy smile by targeting the muscles that lift the upper lip. By injecting small amounts of the muscle relaxant above  your upper lip, the muscles are weakened. The result is a decreased lift of the upper lip when smiling. This can effectively reduce the amount of gum that is visible and create a more balanced smile. The effects of the treatment typically last for a few months and may require ongoing maintenance injections.

Anti-wrinkle injections are a preferred gummy smile treatment for people who have a hyperactive upper lip and normal sized teeth, as they are relatively non-invasive and quite inexpensive.

Lip augmentation with dermal fillers can help with a gummy smile by adding volume and fullness to the lips, which can help to reduce balance out the appearance of excess gum tissue when smiling. This treatment involves injecting a gel-like substance, such as collagen or hyaluronic acid, into the lips to plump them up. The filler can be strategically placed in certain areas of the lips to help improve the overall harmony of your smile and lips.

Lip augmentation with dermal fillers is a minimally invasive way to address a gummy smile as well as improve facial aesthetics.

Corrective jaw surgery is a type of cosmetic gum surgery that is used to correct abnormalities in the jaws and teeth that cannot be treated with orthodontic treatment alone. This procedure involves repositioning the jaw bones to improve their alignment, allowing the teeth to fit together properly and creating a more balanced facial appearance. 

Orthognathic surgery to treat a gummy smile may be recommended for individuals with:

  • Severe overbites
  • Underbites
  • Open bites 
  • Other skeletal discrepancies that affect the function and aesthetics of their bite and smile.

This type of treatment is typically performed under general anaesthesia and requires a period of recovery and follow-up care.

Gingivectomy (Esthetic):

What’s the difference between laser gum surgery and crown lengthening surgery?

Laser gum surgery, also known as a gum lift, involves using a laser to reshape the gum line and remove excess gum tissue to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile. It is a minimally invasive procedure that can be completed in a short time with barely any pain/recovery and is typically used for mild cases of a gummy smile.

Crown lengthening surgery, on the other hand, is a more complex procedure that involves cutting away the excess gum and recontouring the underlying bone structure which is overgrown so that the gums stay at their new position and don’t grow back. It usually involves some stitches and takes about a week for the gums to heal. It is usually carried out when both the gums and bone structure is too thick which can be diagnosed on a 3D x-ray called a cone beam CT.

Is a gum lift right for you?

If you feel like your gums are too high or too low, this can lead to your teeth looking disproportionate or a “gummy” smile that you may wish to correct. Gum lifts are part of our cosmetic dentistry treatments at Brunswick East Dental Studio, and could be a good solution for you if you have:

  • An uneven gum line
  • Gums that look too high or too low
  • Long or disproportionate teeth
  • A smile that looks too “gummy”

The above conditions can be caused by the abnormal development of your teeth, genetics or something else. Gum lift treatments are not intended to solely be a cosmetic procedure; since thickened gums can lead to serious dental problems such as gum disease.

The dentists at Brunswick East Dental Studio can also talk you through the options we have to strengthen your teeth and take care of your overall oral health, such as dental implants to replace any missing teeth.

FAQ

On average, the cost of gum reduction in Australia can range from $390 to $5,000, but this is just an estimate and the actual cost can be higher or lower depending on the specific circumstances.

It’s best to consult with our qualified dental professionals at Brunswick East Dental for a more accurate estimate of the cost of your gum reduction. We can provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs involved and any additional fees that may apply, such as for consultations, x-rays or follow-up appointments.

Depending on the procedure, gummy smile treatment can be minimally invasive and is therefore usually not painful. It can be performed with local anesthesia. Discomfort after the procedure is typically mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

In Australia, gummy smile surgery can cost anywhere from $5300 to $35,000. Bear in mind that this is just an estimate. Book a consultation with any of our qualified dentists, who will be able to provide a more accurate answer based on your specific circumstances.

The results of your gummy smile reduction can vary depending on the type of treatment you receive and the cause of your gummy smile. Some treatments, such as anti-wrinkle injections, provide temporary relief and may need to be repeated every 3-6 months to maintain the results.

Other treatments, such as a laser gum lift (gingivectomy) or crown lengthening surgery, can provide permanent results. However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of any gummy smile treatment may be influenced by factors such as aging, changes in tooth or gum position, or underlying medical conditions. It is also critical that your dental practitioner is knowledgeable and experienced in this process as performing the wrong procedure can cause long-term gum health implications or relapse.

Preparing for gummy smile treatment involves a few important steps:

  1. Consult with one of our qualified dentists to discuss your gummy smile treatment options. We can evaluate your specific case, which usually involves a 3D bone x-ray and recommend the best course of treatment for you.
  2. Follow any pre-treatment instructions that were recommended to you before your procedure, such as avoiding certain medications or foods. If it has been a while since you’ve had a dental clean then this will likely be recommended first so that the gums are healthy before treatment.
  3. Depending on the type of treatment, we may offer local anaesthesia +/- sedation to make the procedure more comfortable.
  4. We will provide you with instructions for aftercare, including how to manage any discomfort, how to care for the treated area, and when to schedule any follow-up appointments.
  5. If you are receiving sedation, arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.

Don’t delay your appointment

Uneven gums can be a sign of underlying malalignment and lead to much more serious issues, so be sure to book an appointment in our Melbourne clinic as soon as possible. Just give us a call at (03) 9380 1204 or contact us online and we’ll discuss your dental health and get you booked in.