How can I fix my gummy smile? It makes me feel ugly, and I hate smiling (Photo)

Question

Hi, I wanted to ask what would be the best treatment for my teeth, I think I have overbite, and I really hate my gummy smile, but my teeth are not short, I'm hesitant about surgery. I'm going to get braces soon, are the braces enough to fix the problem? Do you think my upper jaw is the problem with my weak jawline also shown in the picture? I'm 21. I'm scared that my orthodontist won't understand or, won't treat my gummy smile, do braces actually pull back the upper part? will they fix it?

John A. Merrill, DDS · Answer

You are on the right track to have orthodontics first--this will widen your smile and greatly improve it. You will most likely still show gum tissue above your teeth after completion. The easiest way to reduce this is with botox injections to reduce the mobility. I would try this before looking at gum lifts involving the jaw bone or any other invasive surgery. Good luck

Nirav Patel, MDS, PhD · Answer

its difficult to say anything without seeing yr records and  clinical examination. cephalometric analysis is must to check severity and bone excess. visit orthodontist.

Amir Kachooei, DDS · Answer

Hi there,
Based on the pictures only and as a general advice , I would recommend first : treatment with medications such as Botox to correct your gummy smile , if it was not yet satisfactory then 
 minor gum recountoring with laser or surgical stent
And if you want further correction then Orthodontic treatment 
If it was not still satisfactory then jaw surgery could be considered only if it has more benefits than side effects and you are happy about it. 
I recommend start your treatment with the cheapest and most conservative and reversible way i.e Injection of Botox or Bocuture 
This is only a general advice and any patient must be examined by practitioner before any individual advice.
Best wishes
Dr K

Kourosh Maddahi, DDS · Answer

Hi:The overbite issue should be resolved by the orthodontic work.  However the gummy smile is a harder problem to resolve since the size of the teeth are good.  Most likely you might need Orthognatic surgery to move the entire jaw up to get rid of the gummy smile.  Best,Dr. Maddahi

Ira Shapira, DDS (in memoriam) · Answer

You have a very narrow, underdeveloped maxilla and mandible and a recessive jaw.  Ideally, you would have had expansion prior to age 8.  As an adult I suggest utilizing Epigenetic Expansion with the DNA Appliance to create a full wide palate,You also have dark buccal corridors and deep nasal labial folds.  Expansion will create a full healthy wide smile that eliminates the dark buccal corridors to support soft tissues of your face and improve your airway.This will allow your trapped mandible to expand and help prevent future TMJ problems and myofascial headaches. You will see major improvements in your profile.Absolutely avoid amputation/extraction of teeth for orthodontic therapy.A SARPE procedure or Rapid Palatal Expansion with a Surgical Assist is possible but the DNA Appliance should give better results.Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAPM, FICCMOPast Chair, Alliance of TMD OrganizationsDiplomate,  Academy of Integrative Pain ManagementDiplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep MedicineRegent & Fellow, International College of CranioMandibular OrthopedicsBoard Eligible, American Academy of CranioFacial PainDental Section Editor, Sleep & Health Journal
Member, American Equilibration SocietyMember, Academy of Applied Myofunctional SciencesMember, Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

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