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Dr. Sebastian Krause

 

Kistlerhofstraße 172c, 81379 München

[Translate to English:] Mo: 08:30 - 20:00 Uhr
Di: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Mi: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Do: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr
Fr: 08:30 - 19:00 Uhr

All appointments by appointment

 

Free parking is available for our patients in the parking garage under the practice.

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Gummy Smile

Gum correction Munich

For many patients, correcting a gummy smile can be very liberating. If you smile and feel that too much of your gums are visible, it can bother you. You may start holding your smile in certain positions to hide your gums or even try to cover your mouth with your hand when laughing. While these methods may help you feel more comfortable in various situations, the insecurity remains. The good news: a gummy smile is an insecurity that can be improved.

 

 

What is meant by a gummy smile?

A gummy smile occurs when there is an imbalance in the visibility ratio between teeth, gums, and upper lip. When smiling, not only are the teeth visible, but also an above-average amount of gum tissue. colloquially known as a gummy smile. In our specialized dental practice for orthodontics in Munich, a gummy smile is not a medical issue but purely an aesthetic correction.

[Translate to English:] Gummy Smile München Zahnfleischlächeln München Zahnfleischorrektur München

What are the causes of gummy smiles?

A gummy smile can have various causes. Essentially, the following causes can be determined for a gummy smile:

  • Vertically pronounced upper jaw: The upper jaw is too long (long face syndrome), causing the face to appear elongated when the mouth is open and the gum tissue is clearly visible.
  • Excess gum tissue: The teeth are overlaid by too much gum tissue, making them appear relatively small in proportion.
  • Small teeth: Teeth that are too small make the gum tissue appear relatively large, creating the optical impression of excess gum tissue.
  • Overdevelopment of the levator muscle: When smiling, the levator muscle lifts the upper lip too much, causing excessive gum tissue to be visible.
  • Fusion of the upper lip: An anatomically short upper lip results in too much gum tissue being visible.

Depending on the cause, different treatment methods are available to correct the gummy smile.

 

What do the symptoms look like?

A gummy smile does not present symptoms that would be of health concern. However, it is typical that when smiling, not only the teeth but also the gum tissue is visible. Normally, the upper lip contour only reaches the gum line. When more than three millimeters of gum tissue are visible while smiling, it is considered a gummy smile. In most cases, there is no health impairment. Nevertheless, affected individuals often report psychological distress due to the aesthetic impact of a gummy smile. In cases of particularly pronounced gummy smiles, even with minimal mouth opening, excessive gum tissue is visible.

What consequences can this have for those affected?

Affected individuals often perceive a gummy smile as bothersome and aesthetically unappealing. Additionally, many affected individuals suffer from low self-confidence. A friendly smile is essential for the aesthetic impression as well as for social interaction with others. This diminished ability to smile has the consequence that the positive effect that smiling has on mood and spirits is also absent.

What do I need to consider before correcting a gummy smile?

Before correcting a gummy smile, your orthodontist in Munich at our specialized dental practice for orthodontics in Munich will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. Achieving an optimal treatment outcome requires a precise diagnosis by your orthodontist in Munich. In this context, your orthodontist in Munich, Dr. Sebastian Krause, will have a detailed discussion with you before the gummy smile treatment to address all your questions. Additionally, it is important that you do not have cold sores or other inflammatory skin conditions at the time of treatment.

[Translate to English:] Vorher Nachher Gummy Smile München Zahnfleischlächeln München Zahnfleischüberschuss

Which treatment methods are available for correcting a gummy smile?

Depending on the cause, different treatment methods are available for correcting a gummy smile. In most cases, treatment of the gummy smile is not necessary for medical reasons, unless the lip or cheek frenulum is incorrectly attached to the gum tissue. At our specialized practice, we offer gum correction without surgery - for a beautiful, carefree smile!

To remove a gummy smile, various treatment methods are available in our practice. In many cases, an injection into the levator muscle can relax it, reducing the pull on the upper lip and consequently reducing the visibility of gum tissue. However, this treatment method is only temporary and must be repeated regularly for a lasting result.

Often, excess gum tissue can be permanently removed by exposing the underlying tooth structure, thus restoring the balance between teeth and gums. Various methods can be used for this purpose. Laser technology is particularly gentle, allowing us to reshape the gum tissue. In combination with braces and temporary anchorage devices (TADs) or mini-implants, we can effectively treat a gummy smile in our specialized orthodontic practice in Munich without surgical intervention. In some cases, however, surgical intervention may still be necessary to eliminate a gummy smile.

Does health insurance cover the cost of gummy smile correction?

In general, health insurance does not cover the costs of gummy smile treatment unless the treatment is medically necessary. The costs depend on the extent of the therapy. For more detailed information on treatment costs, please consult your orthodontist in Munich, Dr. Sebastian Krause.

Correcting a gummy smile brings many benefits and goes far beyond mere vanity. When a person feels insecure in their life, relieving them of this 'burden' can be life-changing. Correcting a gummy smile restores your confidence and strengthens your self-esteem.

Reveal the beautiful smile you already have.

We hope we could provide you with insight into the topic of gummy smiles. We are also happy to answer questions about other treatment methods, such as treatment with Invisalign® aligners in Munich. Simply schedule a consultation appointment directly with your orthodontist in Munich, Dr. Sebastian Krause.

We look forward to seeing you!