I have gummy smile, what treatment I should do?

If you feel like too much of your gums shows when you smile, you’re probably dealing with what we call a “gummy smile.” First, let’s say this clearly: a gummy smile is not a disease. It’s simply a variation in how your teeth, gums, lips, and jaw relate to each other.

But if it makes you feel self-conscious, then it becomes something worth evaluating.

The important thing to understand is that there isn’t just one solution. The right treatment depends entirely on why your gums show more than you’d like. Let’s walk through the possible causes — because treatment always follows diagnosis.

Why Do You Have a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile can happen for several different reasons. And this is where many people get confused.

It may be caused by:

Excess gum tissue covering your teeth
Small or short-looking teeth
A hyperactive upper lip that lifts too high
Jaw position (vertical maxillary excess)
Altered passive eruption (when gums didn’t recede properly after tooth eruption)

Each cause requires a different approach. That’s why copying someone else’s treatment plan doesn’t work. What fixed their smile may not fix yours.

If You Have Excess Gum Tissue (Laser Gum Contouring)

If your teeth are healthy but look short because too much gum covers them, the solution may be gum contouring.

This is often done with a dental laser. We gently reshape the gum line to reveal more of your natural tooth structure. The result? Your teeth look longer and more proportional immediately.

The procedure is usually quick, minimally invasive, and healing is relatively fast.

This works best when:

Your teeth are already well-aligned
The issue is mainly gum coverage
The bone level underneath is appropriate

In many cases, this alone creates a dramatic improvement.

If Your Teeth Are Naturally Small (Veneers or Crowns)

Sometimes your gums are fine — but your teeth are small.

In this case, even if we remove gum tissue, your teeth may still look short. That’s when veneers or crowns can help. They allow us to lengthen and reshape your teeth for better proportion.

Often, the best results come from combining mild gum contouring with veneers. This creates harmony between gum level and tooth size.

The goal isn’t to make your teeth huge. It’s to create balance.

If Your Upper Lip Lifts Too High (Lip Repositioning or Botox)

In some cases, your teeth and gums are normal — but your upper lip rises higher than average when you smile.

This is called a hypermobile lip.

There are two main solutions:

Botox injections to relax the muscles that lift your upper lip. This is temporary and lasts a few months.
Lip repositioning surgery, a minor procedure that limits how high the lip lifts when you smile.

This option is considered when the gum display is due to muscle movement rather than gum excess.

If It’s Related to Jaw Structure (Orthodontics or Surgery)

In more severe cases, the gummy appearance is caused by the vertical position of the upper jaw. This is called vertical maxillary excess.

If that’s the case, orthodontic treatment — sometimes combined with jaw surgery — may be recommended.

This is usually reserved for significant cases and is not necessary for mild to moderate gummy smiles.

How Do You Know Which Treatment Is Right for You?

You can’t determine it by looking in the mirror alone.

A proper evaluation includes:

Smile analysis
Lip movement assessment
Gum and bone measurement
Tooth proportion analysis
Bite evaluation

Once we understand the cause, the solution becomes clear.

Sometimes the fix is simple. Sometimes it’s a combination approach.

Can a Gummy Smile Be Fixed Without Surgery?

Yes — in many cases.

Laser gum contouring is minimally invasive. Botox is non-surgical. Veneers are cosmetic. Only jaw-related cases typically require surgical correction.

That’s why diagnosis matters so much. Many patients assume they need something major when in reality the solution is simple.

Will Fixing a Gummy Smile Change Your Face?

It can improve overall smile harmony significantly.

When gums are balanced properly with teeth and lips, your smile looks more proportional. That often enhances facial aesthetics naturally — without changing your identity.

The goal is not to remove all gum display. A small amount of visible gum is completely normal and attractive. The goal is balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much gum show is considered normal?

Showing 1–2 mm of gum when smiling is considered normal. More than 3–4 mm is often classified as a gummy smile.

Is laser gum contouring painful?

It’s usually performed under local anesthesia and is well tolerated. Recovery is relatively quick.

Does Botox for gummy smile last forever?

No. It typically lasts 3–6 months and requires maintenance.

Can veneers alone fix a gummy smile?

Only if the issue is related to short teeth, not excessive gum or jaw position.

Is treatment permanent?

Some treatments are permanent (gum contouring, veneers, surgery). Others like Botox are temporary.

If you have a gummy smile and it affects your confidence, the first step is simple: find out why it’s happening.

Once the cause is clear, the solution becomes much more predictable — and often easier than you expect.

Balance, not perfection, is the real goal.