TADs to Move Jaw Up? Dentist Answers, Tips
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TADs to Move Jaw Up?

An orthodontist told me that TADs can be used to shift the jaw/teeth up to slightly reduce a gummy smile (my teeth length is fine but my jaw apparently sits too low). Is this possible?? How much can teeth be moved "up" to correct a gummy smile with TADs? When I smile, I currently show an 1/8" to a 1/4" of gums. What can I realistically expect? Are results permanent?

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by benbens in Overland Park, KS
+2

Gummy smile and TAD

You have beautiful teeth, very classy anatomy, shape and a pleasing color. And you also have overdeveloped maxilla - maxillary excess. There are 3 types of maxillary excess according to the height of the over-developed alveolar ridge. At some minor degree of overgrowth it can be corrected with crown lengthening or some minor cosmetic involvement like Botox injections. In your case this approach is not going to be helpful and providing with stable long-trerm esthetic and functional results... more
+1

T.A.D.s to reduce gummy smile.

I would recommend that you talk to several orthodontists if you want other opinions and research it very carefully. T.A.D.s could definitely be used, they would reduce the gum exposure in the smile line and the results should be fairly stable. It is also important however, that YOU decide how you like your smile now, and what you want it to be like later in life. In the photograph the smile shows some gum but looks pretty good to me now. A smile showing more gum is... more
+1

Reality and the Gummy Smile

If you show “too much gum” and want to know what is possible, then you should see both an Orthodontist and an Oral Surgeon for evaluation. Gummy smiles are usually  “youthful” smiles and it is important to understand what is too gummy or in medical terms, what is a long upper jaw, or Maxilla. TAD’s are small bone screws that can be useful to alter a single tooth position but not an entire jawbone. Botox or Dysport will help lengthen an overactive upper lip... more

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+1

Gummy smile fixes..

The new way to fix a gummy smile is with Botox. It will relax the upper lip allowing it to cover your teeth more..if that is not enough then laser gum contouring wil reduce it also. Stay away from surgery to fix this problem. I dont believe that any pushing up of your upper teeth will ever work...
+1

Correction of gummy smile

There are several reasons why a gummy smile may exist. It is most important that the proper diagnosis is made before recommending a certain treatment approach. Answering the question: "Why is the smile gummy present and what is causing it" will help choose the right treatment If the cause is excessive size of the upper jaw (vertical excess) then jaw surgery is the only solution If the cause is excessive gum tissue coverage (altered passive eruption) then crown... more
+1

Botox Can Solve Gummy Smiles

Before you do anything drastic, go have a consult with a dentist who does Botox.  I have loved the results for my patients and have been doing this treatment for a long time.  The treatment is not permanent but  over time you don't need to do Botox as much because it retrains the muscle.   Botox is a reconstituted protein and works so great to drop that lip! You are adorable and that's all you may need.  You can do... more
+1

Shifting up a gummy smile

TADs to move the teeth upward as a solution to a gummy smile is the wrong approach. It is not necessarily true that your jaw is too low. More likely, your lip or smile line is unusually high. The muscles that surround your mouth in this case draw the upper lip higher than for the average person. Assuming that your concern is for the aesthetics of a gummy smile, my recommendation would be to have your dentist trim and re-contour the gum-line, a gingivectomy, to reduce... more
+1

Gummy smile, gigival maxillary excess,

No. I recommend crown lenghening surgery or gingivectome with a laser, followed by veneers if needed.  
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