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?
May 19, 2011
Answer: 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...
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 19, 2011
Answer: 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...
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 17, 2011
Answer: 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 lengthening may be a good solution
If the cause is an extremely short lip, there is not much of a solution, except to address it by shortening the jaw itself (back to #1)- Botox is unpredictable and very short lived
If the cause super-erupted upper teeth (shifting of teeth downward) then TAD and process of intrusion may be helpful. But this only happens when the opposing teeth are missing. While this is an option, it is not easy to do and results are unpredictable. I have never seen a reported case (lectures or publication) where someone has used TAD to correct the upper teeth problem and its gummy smile.
Please see a good oral surgeon, restorative dentist, and orthodontist and allow them to collaborate on the etiology and best realistic treatment outcome.
Thanks
Dr. Kazemi
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 17, 2011
Answer: 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 lengthening may be a good solution
If the cause is an extremely short lip, there is not much of a solution, except to address it by shortening the jaw itself (back to #1)- Botox is unpredictable and very short lived
If the cause super-erupted upper teeth (shifting of teeth downward) then TAD and process of intrusion may be helpful. But this only happens when the opposing teeth are missing. While this is an option, it is not easy to do and results are unpredictable. I have never seen a reported case (lectures or publication) where someone has used TAD to correct the upper teeth problem and its gummy smile.
Please see a good oral surgeon, restorative dentist, and orthodontist and allow them to collaborate on the etiology and best realistic treatment outcome.
Thanks
Dr. Kazemi
Helpful 1 person found this helpful