Gummy Smile Treatment in Hollywood, FL
Reveal Your Best Smile
If you feel like your smile shows too much gum and not enough tooth, you are not alone, and you do not have to live with it. At Upper Dental, we help patients throughout Hollywood and the surrounding South Florida communities achieve a more balanced, confident smile with gummy smile treatment Hollywood FL patients trust. Our boutique cosmetic team offers Saturday appointments and a first consultation so you can explore your options without pressure or upfront cost.
A gummy smile, medically called excessive gingival display, can make you feel self-conscious in photos, during conversations, or even when you laugh. The good news is that modern cosmetic dentistry offers effective, often minimally invasive solutions designed to restore harmony between your teeth, gums, and facial features. Let us help you find the right approach for your unique smile.
What Is a Gummy Smile, and What Causes It?
A gummy smile occurs when more than 3 to 4 millimeters of gum tissue is visible when you smile. For many people, this is simply a matter of how their smile naturally developed, not a sign of poor oral health. Understanding what is causing your gummy smile is the first step toward choosing the right treatment.
Common Causes: Genetics, Lip Movement, and Gum Overgrowth
Several factors can contribute to a gummy smile:
- Genetics: Some people are born with shorter teeth or a higher gum line that naturally covers more of the tooth surface.
- Lip movement: If your upper lip lifts very high when you smile (called hyperactive lip), more gum tissue becomes visible.
- Gum overgrowth: Certain medications, hormonal changes, or medical conditions can cause the gums to grow beyond their normal position.
- Excessive jaw bone: In some cases, the upper jaw grows downward more than average, taking the gums with it.
Your consultation at Upper Dental will help identify which cause, or combination of causes, is at play so we can recommend the most effective solution.
Benefits of Gummy Smile Treatment at Upper Dental
Choosing to address a gummy smile is about more than changing how your teeth look. It is about how you feel every time you smile. Our patients tell us that after treatment, they feel more confident in social settings, at work, and in photos.
Balanced Proportions, Greater Confidence, Lasting Results
When your teeth and gums are in better proportion, your entire smile appears more harmonious. The result is a natural-looking smile that complements your facial features. For surgical treatments like gum contouring and crown lengthening, the results are permanent, so you can enjoy your new smile for a lifetime.
Flexible Financing, CareCredit, Sunbit, and More
We believe that premium cosmetic care should be within reach. Upper Dental offers multiple financing options, including CareCredit, Sunbit, Alphaeon Credit, Cherry, Proceed Finance, and LendingClub Patient Solutions, many with 0% interest options. We also offer VIP Membership and Dental Savings Plans. Our team will help you find a payment path that fits your budget.
Gummy Smile Treatment Options We Offer
Not every gummy smile is the same, which is why we offer a range of treatment options tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Gum Contouring and Crown Lengthening
Gum contouring (also called gum reshaping) is a precise procedure that removes excess gum tissue to reveal more of your natural tooth structure. Using advanced laser or scalpel techniques, our team reshapes the gum line for a more even, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Crown lengthening is a related procedure that also addresses the underlying bone when needed, creating a longer-looking tooth crown. This is especially effective for patients whose gum tissue covers a significant portion of their teeth. Both procedures are performed under local anesthesia for your comfort.
Botox for Gummy Smile, A Non-Surgical Option
For patients whose gummy smile is caused by a hyperactive upper lip, Botox offers a non-surgical alternative. By injecting small amounts of Botox into the muscles that lift the lip, the lip drops slightly less when you smile, reducing gum exposure.
This quick, in-office treatment requires no downtime and results typically last 3 to 4 months. It is a gentle starting point for patients who are not ready for surgery or want to test the look before committing to a permanent change. To learn more, visit our Botox for gummy smile page.
Gummy Smile Treatment vs. Smile Makeovers, Which Is Right for You?
Sometimes a gummy smile is the main concern, and sometimes it is part of a larger set of cosmetic goals. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right path.
When Gummy Smile Treatment Is the Primary Solution
If your teeth are naturally well-shaped and well-colored but simply covered by too much gum tissue, gum contouring or crown lengthening alone may be all you need. The result is a beautiful smile that feels like your own, just with better proportions.
When a Full Smile Makeover Makes More Sense
If you also have concerns about tooth shape, size, color, or alignment, in addition to excess gum tissue, a full smile makeover may be the better choice. Smile makeovers combine multiple cosmetic treatments, such as veneers, bonding, or whitening, with gum recontouring for a complete transformation. Our team will help you decide which approach aligns with your goals.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Consultation, Customized Plan, and Recovery Overview
Your journey begins with a free, no-obligation consultation. During this visit, we will examine your smile, discuss your concerns, and take digital images to help plan your treatment. We will explain your options clearly, whether surgical or non-surgical, and answer every question you have.
If you choose gum contouring or crown lengthening, the procedure itself is typically completed in one visit. Recovery is straightforward: mild tenderness for a day or two, a soft-food diet briefly, and you are back to your routine quickly. Our team will provide detailed aftercare instructions and check in with you to ensure healing is on track.
For Botox-based treatment, the injection session takes about 15 minutes with no recovery time needed.
Frequently
asked questions
Everything you need to know about Gummy Smile Treatment in Hollywood, FL at Upper Dental.
How many teeth are affected by excess gum tissue?
A gummy smile can affect all visible upper teeth or just a few. Some patients have excess tissue only around the front six teeth, while others see it across the entire arch. Your consultation at Upper Dental will identify which teeth are involved and what treatment approach will create the most balanced result.
Is gum contouring painful?
Gum contouring is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, most patients describe mild soreness similar to a healing scrape. Over-the-counter pain relief and a soft-food diet for a day or two are usually all that is needed.
How long do results last?
For surgical gum contouring and crown lengthening, results are permanent, the removed tissue does not grow back. For Botox-based gummy smile treatment, results typically last 3 to 4 months, after which touch-up injections are needed to maintain the effect.
Does insurance cover gummy smile treatment in Florida?
Insurance rarely covers cosmetic gum contouring when it is performed purely for aesthetic reasons. However, if excess gum tissue is linked to periodontal disease or functional issues, a portion of crown lengthening may be covered. Our team will review your insurance benefits and explain all costs before any treatment begins.
