Cosmetic Dentistry

Gummy Smile Treatment

Our tailored treatments, including laser contouring and muscle relaxants, can help rebalance your gum-to-tooth ratio for a more confident smile.

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A beautiful smile is about balance. While healthy gums are essential, showing too much gum tissue when you smile often called a “gummy smile” can make your teeth appear short or boxy.

At Sundial Dental, we offer effective, minimally invasive treatments across our Mid North Coast clinics to correct this imbalance and help you smile with confidence.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile (excessive gingival display) is a common condition where more than 3–4mm of gum tissue is visible when smiling. It is rarely a medical concern but can be a cosmetic one for many patients. Common causes include:

Overgrowth of Gum Tissue: The gums may cover too much of the teeth, hiding the natural length of the enamel (often called “altered passive eruption”).
Hyperactive Lip Muscle: The muscle controlling your upper lip may be stronger than average, pulling the lip up higher than normal when you smile.
Jaw Development: In some cases, the upper jaw may have developed vertically more than usual.

Our Treatment Options

We tailor the solution to the specific cause of your gummy smile. We generally offer two main approaches:

1. Laser Gum Contouring (Gingivectomy) If your teeth look short because they are covered by excess gum tissue, we can reveal the natural tooth underneath.

How it works: Using a precise dental laser, we gently reshape the gum line to remove the excess tissue.
The Benefit: This lengthens the appearance of the teeth and creates a more symmetrical gum line. Because we use a laser, there is minimal bleeding and a faster recovery compared to traditional surgery.

2. Muscle Relaxant Injections If your gummy smile is caused by a hyperactive upper lip, we can treat the muscles rather than the gums.

How it works: We inject a small amount of muscle relaxant into the muscles that elevate the upper lip.
The Benefit: This temporarily relaxes the muscle, preventing the lip from lifting too high and exposing the gums. It is a quick, non-surgical option with zero downtime.

What to Expect

During your consultation, we will examine your smile to determine whether the issue is dental (gum tissue) or muscular (lip movement).

For Laser Treatment: The procedure is done under local anaesthetic. You may experience some soreness for a few days, but the results are immediate and long-lasting.
For Injections: The appointment takes just a few minutes. Results typically appear within 3–14 days and last for 3–4 months, after which a top-up is required.

A Balanced, Confident Result

Our goal is never to remove too much gum, but to create a harmony between your lips, gums, and teeth. Whether through reshaping or relaxing the lip, we aim for a natural result that enhances your overall facial aesthetics.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most frequent concerns we hear relating to Gummy Smile Treatment.

Is gum contouring painful?

We perform gum contouring using a local anaesthetic, so the area is completely numb during the procedure. Because we use a laser, which seals the tissue as it works, post-operative pain is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Do the gums grow back after contouring?

In most cases, gum contouring is a long-lasting procedure. Once the excess tissue is removed and the bone level is appropriate, the gum line stabilizes at its new position. However, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prevent inflammation or swelling.

How long do the muscle relaxant injections last?

The effects of muscle relaxant injections typically last between 3 and 4 months. As the product wears off, your lip muscles will regain their full strength, and the gummy smile will gradually return. Regular maintenance appointments are needed to keep the effect.

Will injections affect my ability to speak or eat?

When performed by a trained professional, the dosage is carefully calculated to only relax the specific muscles that lift the lip too high. It should not affect your ability to chew, speak, or smile naturally—it simply limits the “over-lifting” of the lip.

Can I have both gummy smile treatments?

Yes. In some cases, a patient may have both excess gum tissue and a hyperactive lip. We can combine laser contouring to lengthen the teeth and injections to control lip movement for the best possible aesthetic result.