Gummy smile

Message

#1 Post by **dara678** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:23 am

hi everybody! just got back from my consultation and forgot to ask one thing. i have a really gummy smile due to my overbite (like when i smile, you see just my gums) and that really bothers me. do you think that braces can fix that? i forgot to ask the doctor when i was there

#2 Post by **jabberwocky** » Tue May 01, 2007 9:49 am

i have this problem too.
I didn't even consider that braces could possibly fix it.
hmm, that would be nice.
i see my ortho tomorrow. I'll ask for us. :p

#3 Post by **Rickysa** » Tue May 01, 2007 11:23 am

Hi Dara,

A "gummy smile" can be caused by a couple of things...usually it results from excessive vertical growth of the maxilla (upper jaw) and would require surgery to fix.

Dr. S

#4 Post by **aschelkin** » Tue May 01, 2007 12:27 pm

Not sure if we have the same problem or not, but I do know that a gummy smile can be corrected by having braces and then by having gingivectomy (gum contouring) where they cut off excess gum tissue to expose more of your teeth. I have had a few friends who have had this done and their smile looks amazing. My orthodontist also suggested this as I have a slight gummy smile due to the smaller size of my teeth.

#5 Post by **Clairey Fairey** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:39 pm

I have a gummy smile due to my upper jaw being bigger than the lower (sticking out more), I think the elastics part of my treatment will help slightly. But I think it's Jaw Surgery that will get rid of it!!

#6 Post by **Graceful58** » Tue May 01, 2007 7:35 pm

I have this link posted on my blog but click on it and you'll see a lady with a gummy smile before and after surgery...what a difference.

http://www.drrichardjoseph.com/Surgery-Photos/121.asp

#7 Post by **dara678** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:30 pm

hi everybody,

thanks for the wonderful input! it was really helpful

do you think that you should have the surgery before or after braces?

#8 Post by **raninhas** » Wed May 02, 2007 4:11 am

Wow! Amazing! She doesn't even look like the same person!
Amazing, truly amazing...

#9 Post by **jabberwocky** » Wed May 02, 2007 4:20 am

how would they reposition the top jaw though? it's connected to the skull... it seems like that would be really difficult...

#10 Post by **brandee987** » Thu May 03, 2007 12:30 am

thanks for the wonderful input! it was really helpful do you think that you should have the surgery before or after braces?

If you are considering the gum recountouring I would say wait until after your braces are off. I had the procedure done and then I decided 6 months later to get braces. Now that I have been braced for about 17 months there are areas that will need to be recountoured once my braces come off mostly due to tooth leveling, gap closures, and just my crazy gums. So basically I am having to pay for the procedure 2x. It isnt cheap here (TX). I paid $2750 for the last gingevectomy (top 10 teeth) and the next one is going to cost $1900 (just the front 6 "social" teeth. But all in all it will be worth it. My gums have done something like this (look at case study 2C) They dont lay flat against my tooth.

http://www.gummysmile.com/braces.html

Good Luck with your decision and be sure to talk with your ortho about this also!!