Gummy Smiles

The appeal of a smile has to do with both aesthetics and perception. When people seek cosmetic dental treatment because they are unhappy with their smiles, chances are they have a legitimate problem. Some individuals' feel they show too much gum tissue or their gums are too prominent when they smile. Either their teeth appear too small, or so much gum tissue shows that the teeth are not making an impact. And a gummy smile can make a person feel self-conscious.

So what is the definition of a gummy smile? That's a matter of perception, and therefore will vary from person to person. But it has been shown that a smile will usually be perceived as gummy when four millimeters — a tad more than an eighth of an inch — of gum tissue shows. 

Many people are not aware that there are options for correcting or altering the appearance of an excessively gummy smile. If a gummy smile impacts a person's enjoyment of life, comfort, and well-being, it could just be time to do something about it. And a lot can be done. First, your dentist will need to determine exactly why your smile looks gummy because understanding the cause always directs us towards the best solution.

The Tissue Is Not Just Gum Tissue

Gummy smiles look, well, gummy, when the proportions of the teeth, gum tissues, and the upper jaw are not in harmony with each other. The position of the upper lip also plays a role. Gumminess in your smile, then, is a combination of:

1. The amount of gum tissue display
2. The size and the shape of the teeth
3. The length and the degree of movement of the upper lip.
4. The vertical position of the upper jaw and teeth in the relationship to the skull

 The Tooth And Gum Tissue "Complex"

At the heart of the matter is the proportionality of the teeth to the gum tissues. Tooth eruption is an active process by which the teeth move through the gums and supporting bone to become visible in the mouth. It usually ceases in adulthood when growth is completed and when the permanent (adult) teeth meet their antagonists (upper teeth meet the lowers in the opposing jaw).

But the process doesn't stop there; the gum and bone tissues shrink back and stabilize typically somewhere in the late teens in girls and early 20's in boys. Ideal crown length (the visible part of the tooth above the gum line) is approximately 10 mm; this is considered normal. The ratio of crown width to length is about 75-85%, which is also what is viewed as normal.

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A Smile Can Make It Happen

~A strategically inclined dental professional can create a better smile.~

From whitening to shaping to closing spaces and replacing teeth, dental cosmetics gain much popularity than ever. Dentists have a wide array of tools and techniques for improving your smile at their proper disposal. The screw up economy has made patients think twice before resorting to dental or rather smile makeovers. This industry of professionals are experiencing a decrease in the use of dental services by adults for more than a decade now.

But despite of the fact and being a victim of this disturbing trend, many dentists have adapted their practices to the changing environment. They have distinguish themselves and become active business owners and practitioners, who think strategically. Many of them have boost their career into their practices by targeting implant dentistry, sleep apnea, pediatrics to name a few.

Although cosmetic dentistry is not one of the nine officially-recognized specialties, just about every dentist does at least some cosmetic dentistry procedures nowadays. The distinction between  traditional dentistry and cosmetic dentistry is that the former focuses on the health of your teeth and gums while the latter concerns on the appearance of your teeth, mouth and more importantly your smile.

This luxury-seems procedure isn’t just for the elite and wealthy. There’s a variety of options that you can choose from and price ranges within the reach that can make a million dollar smile be on the face of aspiring millions of people.

Cosmetic dentistry brings to mind the concept of appearance. However, this does not always mean aesthetics but also about maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You will absolutely get motivated to increased your concerns on your dental hygiene once you undergone a dental makeover for sure. Your drinking and eating habits will be considered as to prevent darkening or staining of your teeth. As a good result, your health will improve.

Those pearly white teeth will surely give you a lot of confidence to smile. And because you feel great about your appearance, your socializing activities will be quite a challenge and will be held more than usual. A well aligned, straight, white smile attracts more positivity towards you. And of course, this dream-makeover can definitely brighten someone else’s day. Your smile can make it happen!