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Artisan Dentistry's Blog

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Feb 11th, 2026
causes of a gummy smile

A gummy smile occurs when too much gum tissue shows while smiling. Learn the common causes and treatment options to achieve a balanced smile.

Common Causes of a Gummy Smile

1. Improperly Erupted Teeth

Sometimes teeth do not fully emerge from the gums, leaving only part of the tooth visible. This can make the gums appear excessive. Crown lengthening is a common dental procedure that removes some gum tissue to reveal more of the tooth and improve the smile’s appearance.

2. Short Teeth

Some people naturally have short teeth, or their teeth may have worn down over time. In these cases, removing gum tissue can be harmful. Instead, dentists often recommend veneers or crowns to restore the teeth and create better gum-to-tooth proportions.

3. Short Upper Lip

A naturally short upper lip may reveal more gums when smiling. Even with normal gum-to-tooth ratios, this can make a smile appear gummy. Lip surgery can help lengthen the upper lip and create a more balanced smile.

4. Hypermobile Upper Lip

Some individuals have an upper lip that rises higher than average when smiling broadly, exposing more gums. Like short lips, this condition can be corrected with lip repositioning surgery.

5. Excess Gum Tissue

In certain cases, gum tissue is naturally longer than average, covering more of the teeth. Gum contouring is a procedure that reshapes the gums to achieve a balanced appearance.

How to Treat a Gummy Smile

If you are concerned about a gummy smile, consult your dentist to explore your treatment options. Possible treatments include:

  • Crown lengthening to expose more of the tooth
  • Dental veneers or crowns to restore proper tooth length
  • Lip repositioning or surgery for short or hypermobile lips
  • Gum contouring to reshape excessive gum tissue

Working with your dentist ensures you find the best approach for your unique smile.

For more information about cosmetic dental treatments, schedule a consultation with our dental team.

Warranty

Our 5 Year Warranty

Anyone can train to be a technician, but few have the talent to become an artist. That’s why Dr. Mathew is able to guarantee his cosmetic dentistry work for a full 5 years. If anything goes wrong with the work, Dr. Mathew will fix it free of charge, as long as you continue with your regular 6 month preventative care cleaning and check up for the duration of the warranty.

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Our individualized treatment rooms and operatories provide patients with maximum privacy and comfort. The treatment rooms were built specifically with your comfort in mind.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.