Metal Mouth Message Board

So I don't recall having a gummy smile before I had braces. And even in my old pictures I don't see a gummy smile. Ever since I got braces it seems my gums appeared more. So my question is... Has anyone had a gummy smile with braces and when you took them off did it go back to normal?

I have this issue too. I think it's because my teeth were pulled down to close my open bite so my jaw is longer now and upper gums show up more. I'm having my braces again after 10 years to fix my protrusion and also want my gummy smile to be reduced.

I am very interested in hearing responses to this as well. I have noticed the same thing. In my case my smile was always a little gummy when i smiled really big but my smile has become alarmingly more gummy since having braces. My assumption was that this was the result of my teeth being pulled down and pushed back and would thus be permanent. I started looking into corrective procedures but was really unhappy with the options I saw. I hadn't even considered the possibility that it might correct itself (how great would that be).

Yah I have a similar problem too. I never had a gummy smile but the more my bite is improving, more gum shows. My ortho did say something about jaw surgery, but I'm not sure. I kinda want it because my jaw doesn't look good, I hate how my chin looks and my face is kinda long. So hopefully my surgery will fix that if my insurance decides to pay for it.

Hey. I have the same issue. Had a gummy smile before but it wasnt that bad. With braces the gummy smile became extremely noticable with gum show even at rest. I believe this happened with two teeth were removed and the front teeth moved back.

Im on my second round of braces and im not sure of this will be improved with braces alone but we are planning double jaw surgery and the gummy smile is said to improve.

I was also thinking of jaw surgery but couldn't afford it. So I was hoping braces could fix it a bit (make my jaw shorter) by pulling my teeth back up. Hopefully it will lessen my gummy smile along with my lips being able to be closed naturally. Also laser for gums will help after my braces since my upper teeth seem to be smaller than usual.

testimony777 wrote:I am very interested in hearing responses to this as well. I have noticed the same thing. In my case my smile was always a little gummy when i smiled really big but my smile has become alarmingly more gummy since having braces. My assumption was that this was the result of my teeth being pulled down and pushed back and would thus be permanent. I started looking into corrective procedures but was really unhappy with the options I saw. I hadn't even considered the possibility that it might correct itself (how great would that be).

Hey testimony. I tried the not wearing your retainer bit but not much luck on teeth returning to pre extraction and braces look of no gummyness. :/

Seasaltmind wrote:
Hey testimony. I tried the not wearing your retainer bit but not much luck on teeth returning to pre extraction and braces look of no gummyness. :/

I'm sorry to hear that Seasalmind :/ I was really hopping there was a less intrusive way to correct this. I am learning to adjust to it. I am pretty sure that in my case it is going to get worse because there is still a little space for my teeth to come down and back so... But I guess there are worse things. I have asked people about it and they tell me that they only noticed it when I pointed it our and that it is not that big of a difference. I suppose that like most things teeth related these days, I am hyper aware of every change with my teeth no matter how subtle lol.

Tell your orthodontist that youre not happy with how theyre looking if you still have braces on.