# Smile Studies What do about small teeth? ### Gummy Smile, aka "excessive gingival display" Causes: [^1] - Teeth that appear short due to premature eruption and remain partially covered by gum tissue - Teeth that are small in comparison to the gums due to genetics or wear and tear - An overgrowth of the upper jaw, called vertical maxillary excess, makes gums bulge out - A hyperactive upper lip that is normal in length when the face is resting but raises too high when smiling - Gums that are long or enlarged, known as gingival hypertrophy - A short upper lip ##### Possible solutions [^1] [^2] Braces or clear aligners - if cause is a bide bite Veneers or Crowns - if no underlying issue - non-invasive Scaling and Root planing - if caused by inflamed or infected gums - basically dental clenaing Gum lift or crown lengthening - removes some tissue around teeth and may restructure bone Lip lowering - remove part of lip so it can't rise as high Botox - limit range of motion of upper lip - wears off in about 3-6 months - https://dentistry.co.uk/2021/02/25/the-gummy-smile-dilemma/ - solid results - 22 months duration - braces type [^1]: https://bradyortho.com/what-causes-a-gummy-smile-and-can-it-be-fixed/ [^2]: https://www.smilehilliard.com/blog/what-can-cause-a-gummy-smile-and-how-can-it-be-changed/