A smile considered aesthetically beautiful is usually made up of the red part (gum) and the white part (teeth) in the right amount.

The gingival smile is characterized by exaggerated gum exposure and causes frustration in an average of 10% to 25% of adults. A healthy smile, or within the standards, has an average of two millimeters or less of gums; if the smile exceeds 3 millimeters, it can already be considered a gingival smile.

Patients who have a gingival smile, as a general rule, do not like it. This displeasure causes a decrease in confidence. It can often affect a person’s social and personal moments.
In the same way that excess gum causes changes in self-esteem, the lack of it also impairs the smile, causing the same consequences. The important thing is to have a balance, so that the smile is beautiful, healthy and does not cause consequences for the patient.

There are several solutions to this problem.

Orthodontic treatments using braces can help solve the problem. They significantly reduce the gingival smile, intervene in the teeth and level them to correct the position and eliminate excessive exposure.

Botox is the trade name for botulinum toxin, a substance that has the power to paralyze muscles. Used to relax the muscles, it makes the lips do not rise so much and thus show less gums. The correction must be made by an experienced dermatologist or a specialist dentist who knows the technique well. The result of botox lasts 4 to 6 months, being a temporary result.

You can also opt for surgeries to correct the gum smile. These usually present a definitive result, however it’s recommended that you undergo an evaluation by a specialist doctor or a plastic surgeon in order to assess your real need.