Let’s take a closer look at gummy smiles, facial balance, and your treatment options.
When we talk about a beautiful smile, we’re not just talking about teeth; we’re talking about balance. The relationship between your teeth, gums, lips, and jaw structure all work together to create your overall appearance when you smile.
If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why do my gums show when I smile?” or feeling like you see more gums than teeth in photos, it may be a case of what’s known as excessive gingival display, or more commonly, a gummy smile.
While it’s a common concern for both teens and adults, the causes and treatment options are highly individual — which is why it takes a highly personalized treatment plan from an artistic-focused, board-certified orthodontist like Dr. Lin to correct.
TLDR: Why do my gums show more than my teeth?
- A gummy smile (or excessive gingival display) happens when too much gum shows above the upper teeth, often caused by jaw position, small teeth, or an overactive upper lip.
- Dr. Lin offers non-surgical gummy smile treatment with TADs to gently guide the teeth and reduce gum display, no jaw surgery required for most cases.
- At the end of treatment, Dr. Lin performs precise gum and tissue contouring for a balanced, esthetic result.
- Every plan follows Dr. Lin’s S.H.A.P.E. philosophy, which considers your full facial structure (not just the teeth) for results that last.
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile occurs when too much gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth while smiling. In clinical terms, this is typically defined as more than 3–4 millimeters of visible gum.
You may hear it described as:
- “Tiny teeth, big gums”
- “Too much gums in smile”
- “Gums show more than my teeth”
Whatever the phrasing, the underlying concern is the same: the proportions of your smile are out of balance.
What causes a gummy smile?
There are several possible contributors to a gummy smile, and in many cases, more than one factor is at play. These may include:
- An overactive upper lip, which lifts too high when smiling
- Excess gum tissue that covers too much of the teeth
- Small or worn teeth, which can make the gums appear more prominent
- Vertical overgrowth of the upper jaw, known as vertical maxillary excess
Understanding the cause is essential to selecting the right treatment. At Fellow Orthodontist, we don’t take a cosmetic-only approach.
Instead, we use Dr. Lin’s comprehensive S.H.A.P.E. philosophy to evaluate each part of the smile in context — considering symmetry, harmony, arc, proportion and esthetics for truly personalized treatment planning.
Can I get rid of a gummy smile naturally?
If you’ve searched “how to get rid of a gummy smile naturally,” you may have come across lip exercises or DIY remedies. Unfortunately, these approaches don’t address the structural causes that contribute to excessive gingival display.
That’s why it’s important to take a personalized, clinical approach that looks at your complete facial esthetics. A gummy smile isn’t just about gum tissue — it’s about how all the elements of your smile function together.
However, orthodontic treatment can still be considered a natural fix! Through orthodontics, Dr. Lin works with your natural teeth and gums to align your smile and optimize the proportions of your teeth, gums and smile curve for a balanced appearance.
Something like veneers could be considered an unnatural treatment, as you’re covering the natural tooth with an artificial tooth shell to make the teeth appear bigger. With orthodontic treatment, once it’s complete, you have your natural teeth and gums only — just with a healthier, balanced appearance.
Non-Surgical Gummy Smile Treatment with Fellow Orthodontist
Dr. Lin approaches gummy smile treatment with a non-surgical, precision-based method that prioritizes both esthetics and structure. Instead of relying solely on orthognathic surgery (which can be invasive, expensive, and time-intensive) he often recommends the use of TADs (temporary anchorage devices) placed during orthodontic treatment.
TADs for Gummy Smile Fixes
These small, biocompatible screws are anchored in the jawbone and serve as stable points to help guide the teeth into their ideal position. By controlling the movement of the upper teeth with TADs, Dr. Lin can reduce and optimize gum display to significantly improve the smile, without the need for jaw surgery.
This technique allows for a more comfortable, less invasive path to correction and Dr. Lin personally places the TADs, right here in his office. At the end of treatment, Dr. Lin also performs careful hard and soft tissue contouring around the smile to refine the final result and ensure a well-balanced, harmonious appearance.
This comprehensive, non-surgical approach has helped many patients finally feel confident in their smile, without compromising their comfort or long-term health.
Begin with a Comprehensive Evaluation
Dr. Lin is your board-certified Manhattan orthodontist who personally oversees every aspect of care. Using advanced imaging and his holistic S.H.A.P.E. philosophy, he provides thoughtful, balanced treatment plans for patients who want more than cosmetic fixes and ‘symptom fixes’.
We treat the source of your concerns first, so that your results last a lifetime. If you’re tired of looking in the mirror thinking, “why do my gums show so much?” and you’re ready to explore your options for gummy smile treatment, we would love to help you regain confidence in your smile.
Let’s start with a consultation: in-office, virtual or a quick assessment via text first. Get started now!
