Will braces fix my gummy smile? I recently finished my Invisalign, but I'm still very unhappy with my smile. (Photos)

Question

I went with a different dentist ,and he stated that I show 5mm of gum when I smile. He advised that I get braces on my top teeth along with a gingivectomy (can only remove 1-1.5 mm of gum with gingivectomy due to my bone) how much will that actually improve my smile?

Ira Shapira, DDS · Answer

I would suggest correcting your underdeveloped maxilla (upper jaw) with Epigenetic Orthopedics with the DNA Appliance.  You have a V shaped Maxilla rather than a wide U shaped arch.  Developing the arch will create a full wide 10 tooth smile, and a better airway.  It should dramatically improve your Gummy Smile

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

It looks like you could still have some intrusion of your front four top incisors performed. You have a deep bite which has these teeth too far down, and too much gum shows like you mentioned. The teeth look to have a normal amount of enamel exposed, so crown lengthening would make them look too long.Go talk with your Invisalign provider to explain why you are not happy and request a refinement to try to intrude these teeth.  If a refinement is not available or they don't know how to do this, then you may want to visit an orthodontist to have wires and brackets on to push these four teeth up into the maxilla and this may give you the result you are hoping for.I would not do gum surgery of any kind until these teeth have been intruded first.

Andy Shieh, DMD · Answer

There are procedures you can do but none will create a great or a permanent result I’m afraid. Gingivectomy will reduce gum show but will make your centrals look super long where it will look unnatural. Brace and making your upper a wide U won’t help your gummy smile appearance. Botox can relax your upper lip when you smile so you won’t show gums but that’s only temporary (3-4 months). Your best permanent option for the optimal appearance result is with orgnathic surgery (LeFort 1) but that’s extremely invasive. Braces alone will not achieve much of a result I’m afraid.

Will braces fix my gummy smile? I recently finished my Invisalign, but I'm still very unhappy with my smile. (Photos)

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Will braces fix my gummy smile? I recently finished my Invisalign, but I'm still very unhappy with my smile. (Photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.