What Causes a Smile to Look Gummy?
A range of factors can result in a gummy smile:
- Too Much Gum Tissue—some of us simply have more gum tissue than others. In some cases, teeth appear short because they did not fully erupt from the gums and are still partially covered by gum tissue. Gums can also grow over teeth due to a condition called gingival hypertrophy.
- Worn or Short Teeth—your teeth may appear small in comparison with your gums if they have been worn down or are naturally shorter than average.
- A Short or Hyperactive Upper Lip—if your upper lip is too short, it can reveal more of your gums when you smile. In other cases, the upper lip is a normal length, but lifts too high when smiling.
- Jaw Problems—an overgrowth in the upper jaw, known as vertical maxillary excess, can make your gums bulge and upset the proportions of your smile.
