How to fix a gummy smile
Quick answer
How can a gummy smile be corrected?
A gummy smile (showing more than 3–4mm of gum when smiling) can be corrected depending on its root cause: subtle anti-wrinkle injections to relax a hyperactive upper lip (from £210), composite bonding (from £200) or porcelain veneers (from £850) to lengthen short teeth, or periodontal recontouring.
York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet provides comprehensive smile assessments.
What you need to know
The right solution depends on whether the cause is muscular, dental, or gingival. If a hypermobile lip lifts excessively when you laugh, a minute dose of muscle relaxant placed by a dental surgeon at the sides of the nose softens the lip elevation while preserving a natural smile.
If teeth appear short or square because of enamel wear or genetic proportion, composite bonding (from £200 per tooth) or porcelain veneers (from £850 per tooth) restore ideal tooth height and balance the tooth-to-gum ratio.
If teeth are hidden beneath excess gingival tissue (altered passive eruption), gentle gum contouring or crown lengthening rebalances the gumline before cosmetic restorations are placed.
Care at York House Dental Practice
Welcoming new patients, families and emergency appointments from West Byfleet, Woking, Weybridge, and across Surrey.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
