What is the Best Way to Treat my Gummy Smile? (photo)

I see a moderate maxillary (upper jaw) excess. This is a skeletal issue and it should be corrected surgically.

Thanks for your question. The surgeon
you spoke with was likely referring to a technique that's sometimes called
"lip lowering" and is often the preferred option for treating gummy
smile. During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision along the
tissue where the upper lip meets the gum. He or she then uses a special
technique that limits the retraction of the upper lip so that it exposes less
gum when you smile. Unlike BOTOX injections, it is a permanent solution, and
although it usually alleviates a gummy smile on its own, crown lengthening can
be incorporated into the procedure depending on the nature of your condition.
This option is safer, less invasive, and often less costly than jaw surgery.

Gummy smile treatment options can cary depending on the origin.  Gummy smile can be of skeletal origin, dental origin or a combination of both. For skeletal cases, usually orthognathic surgery is the treatment of choice.  However, since orthognathic surgery is a difficult surgery which can be very costly and with many permanent side effects, many patients choose other options. In such instances, as well as  dental or combination cases, treatment of choice is crown lengthening, lip repositioning (also called reverse frenectomy), and restorative treatment if necessary.  From the pictures you posted, I believe that lip repositioning is the best treatment.  It's a very simple procedure which we routinely do on our patients and teach to our residents.  I hope this helps with your concern.

Best,

Dr. Krivitsky