Don't Like Your Gummy Smile? Learn what Veneers Can Do

Even if you have healthy, beautiful teeth, you may still feel unhappy with your smile if you have a gummy smile. Showing too much gum tissue may make you feel self-conscious and make you hesitant to open your mouth.

If you avoid cameras or make every effort to keep your lips pressed together when forced to smile, it’s time to explore your treatment options.  

At Me Dental Spa in West Hollywood, California, our skilled cosmetic dentist, Dr. Denis Mustedanagic, often recommends veneers to improve a gummy smile. The cosmetic dental treatment creates a more balanced and proportionate smile, transforming your appearance. Here’s how. 

How veneers work

Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that cover the front of your teeth, changing their color, size, and shape. We use veneers to correct multiple dental concerns including:

• Chipped and broken teeth
• Stains or discoloration that don’t improve with teeth whitening
• Gaps between teeth
• Minor misalignments
• Misshapen or uneven teeth

The custom-made shells make your teeth look more symmetrical and balanced. They also protect the teeth from discoloration and damage. 

Veneers and your gummy smile

A gummy smile is when you have an excessive amount of gum tissue showing above your upper teeth when you smile, typically more than two millimeters and sometimes as much as eight millimeters. Research shows that an aesthetically pleasing smile usually shows around three millimeters of visible gum.

Showing excess gum tissue is very common and may occur from excessive gum tissue growth, naturally short teeth, or jaw alignment issues. Though treatment for a gummy smile may depend on the cause, veneers are a minimally invasive solution.

Veneers can’t change the amount of gum showing, but they can lengthen the tooth to improve the gum-to-tooth ratio, creating a more balanced smile.

What to expect

Though less invasive than gum surgery, veneers aren’t an in-and-out dental procedure. After your initial consultation, you can expect another two appointments to fit and place your veneers.

At your first appointment, we remove a small amount of your tooth enamel to make room for the veneer shell. We then take impressions of your teeth to create veneers that fit and match your teeth exactly, and we cover your teeth with temporary veneers.

Once your custom veneers are ready, we clean and etch your teeth to ensure a lasting bond between your tooth and veneer. After placing the shell, we make any minor adjustments to perfect its shape, size, and fit. 

You can return to your normal routine after placement and resume eating and drinking as soon as the anesthesia wears off. 

Veneers require the same care as your natural teeth: daily brushing and flossing, and routine dental cleanings. With proper care, veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer.

If you’re unhappy with your gummy smile, veneers may be the perfect solution to help you smile with confidence. Call our office today, or book an appointment online to schedule your consultation.