Can I do anything about the large amount of gum tissue above my upper front teeth?

Question

I have braces and a large area of gum above my front teeth which is very noticeable when I smile. Is there anything I can do about it as I don't see anyone else with the same problem at school.

Answer 1

You could ask our dentist to shave your gums. I just had a crown put on my front tooth and my dentist did this so that the teeth would appear to be the same size. (I think this was the correct reason anyway.)

Although it does hurt afterwards! You'll be sore at least a week if not more.

Consult with your dentist and see what he thinks a good solution would be.

Answer 2

As the person above said, if gingival recontouring solves the problem, then a little gum surgery would do the trick. It would depend on where you gums and underlying bone are positioned according to the crowns of your teeth.  Sometimes, the gums can just be laid back a little, and sometimes the bone underneath the gums needs to be recontoured, but it all depends on their relationship to the crowns of your upper teeth.  Asking your dentist or seeing a Periodontist would help you determine these relationships.

If however your Vertical Maxillary Excess or your upper gums show too much because of the position of your upper jaw, then surgery on your upper jaw to rotate it up should have been done in conjunction with your braces, or should be considered before you deband from the braces.