Gummy Smile Treatment in Longmont, CO | Martin Family Orthodontics

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

The visible gum-to-tooth ratio when you smile is influenced by several factors:

• Tooth position. Teeth that have erupted further down than they should leave more gum visible.
• Tooth size and shape. Short or worn teeth make the gum line look proportionally larger.
• Upper lip mobility. A lip that lifts higher than average when smiling exposes more gum.
• Skeletal development. Vertical maxillary excess, where the upper jaw is longer than normal, is a common underlying cause.
• Gingival overgrowth. Sometimes excess gum tissue itself covers more of the tooth than it should.

Treatment depends on which of these factors is driving the appearance. A thorough diagnosis is the first step. Treating the wrong cause produces disappointing results.

How We Diagnose a Gummy Smile

Dr. Martin starts with a clinical exam combined with detailed imaging, including 3D CT scanning and iTero digital impressions. She assesses tooth position, gum line, lip movement, and skeletal proportions, and reviews how all of these factors work together when you smile, speak, and rest.

This diagnostic process matters. Some gummy smiles are simple to treat. Others involve underlying skeletal differences that require more comprehensive planning, sometimes including orthognathic surgery coordination. The right treatment plan starts with knowing exactly what is happening.

Treatment Options for Gummy Smiles

Several treatment approaches can address a gummy smile, alone or in combination:

Orthodontic intrusion. When teeth have over-erupted, orthodontic treatment can move them into their correct vertical position, reducing the amount of gum tissue that shows. This may be accomplished with braces or aligners with appropriate auxiliary appliances.

Crown lengthening. A periodontist or oral surgeon can carefully recontour the gum tissue to expose more of each tooth, improving the proportions of the smile. We coordinate with trusted specialists when this approach is needed.

Coordinated orthognathic surgery. When the underlying cause is significant vertical maxillary excess, surgical movement of the upper jaw produces the most stable and natural-looking result. Dr. Martin manages the orthodontic phases of these cases in coordination with the surgical team.

Restorative dentistry. When the issue is tooth size and shape, restorative work such as veneers or bonding may be part of the plan. We will coordinate with your general dentist.

Benefits of Treating a Gummy Smile

• Improved smile aesthetics and confidence. Patients who treat their gummy smile often describe feeling more comfortable laughing and smiling openly.
• Better tooth proportions. Properly proportioned teeth and gum line are a defining feature of a balanced smile.
• Long-term stability. Treating the cause, not just the symptom, produces a result that holds up over time.
• Improved oral health in some cases. When excess gum tissue is contributing to plaque retention or inflammation, addressing it improves hygiene outcomes.

What to Expect From Treatment

The treatment plan depends on the cause. A simple case where teeth need to be moved vertically might be completed within standard orthodontic treatment timeframes (12 to 24 months). A combined case that includes orthognathic surgery will run longer. We will give you a clear estimate of timeline, cost, and required coordination with other providers at your consultation.

Why a Specialist Evaluation Matters

Gummy smile treatment has become a popular topic in cosmetic dentistry, and you may have seen quick-fix solutions advertised online. Some of these treatments help. Others, particularly when applied without proper diagnosis, produce short-term improvement at the cost of long-term aesthetics and function. An orthodontic specialist with experience in complex cases can tell you what is actually causing your gummy smile and what will produce a durable result.

Dr. Martin has more than 25 years of orthodontic experience, holds an Adjunct Professor appointment at the University of Iowa, and is published in the peer-reviewed orthodontic literature. Her perspective on a case like this is informed by years of treating both straightforward and complex gummy smile presentations.