Gummy Smile Before and After: Real Results for Patients in Houston
A gummy smile can make teeth appear shorter than they actually are and draw attention away from your smile. If your gums show more than your teeth when you smile, you’re not alone. Many patients throughout Houston and the surrounding areas search for gummy smile before and after results to understand what treatment can realistically achieve.
Fortunately, modern periodontal care offers effective solutions that improve appearance while keeping results natural.
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile occurs when excess gum tissue appears above the upper teeth while smiling. Ideally, only a small amount of gum should show. When more is visible, the smile can look unbalanced—even when the teeth themselves are healthy.
Although this condition is cosmetic, it often affects confidence. Many people avoid smiling in photos or feel uncomfortable in social and professional situations.
Common Causes
Several factors can contribute to a gummy smile, including excess gum tissue, teeth that didn’t fully erupt, a hyperactive upper lip, or jaw position. A professional periodontal evaluation helps identify the cause and determine the most effective treatment approach.
Treatment Options for a Gummy Smile
One of the most effective treatments for excess gum tissue is gingivectomy in Houston, which removes and reshapes the gums to reveal more of the natural tooth structure. This procedure helps create a more balanced gumline and a more proportionate smile.
Many patients also benefit from advanced periodontal treatment in Houston, which focuses on both cosmetic improvement and long-term gum health. These treatments often take place in a single visit and preserve healthy tissue while improving aesthetics.
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gum reshaping procedures work especially well when teeth appear short because excess gum tissue covers them.
Gummy Smile Before and After: Realistic Results
Before treatment, patients often feel their teeth look hidden or too small. After treatment, teeth appear longer, the gumline looks smoother, and the smile feels more natural.
Even small adjustments—sometimes just a few millimeters—can significantly improve how a smile looks and feels. Before-and-after photos clearly show how subtle changes can create noticeable, confidence-boosting results.
Recovery and Long-Term Results
Most patients experience a smooth recovery after gum contouring or gingivectomy. Mild tenderness or swelling may occur for a few days, but many people return to normal routines quickly.
In most cases, treatment delivers permanent results when patients maintain good oral hygiene. Beyond appearance, reshaping the gumline makes teeth easier to clean and supports long-term periodontal health.
Ready to Schedule?
Book NowTreating Gummy Smiles in Houston and Surrounding Areas
Patients throughout Houston, Memorial, Bellaire, West University, Katy, Sugar Land, and nearby communities trust Dr. Friedberg & Associates for expert periodontal care. The team personalizes every treatment plan, takes a conservative approach, and focuses on achieving natural-looking results.
If you’ve been thinking about improving your smile, exploring gummy smile before and after treatment options could be the step that changes how you feel every time you smile.
FAQs
What causes a gummy smile?
Excess gum tissue, teeth that didn’t fully erupt, a hyperactive upper lip, or jaw position can cause a gummy smile. Often, more than one factor contributes to the condition.
Can a gummy smile be fixed permanently?
Yes. In most cases, treatment corrects a gummy smile permanently. Procedures that reshape or remove excess gum tissue provide long-lasting results when paired with good oral hygiene.
Is gummy smile treatment painful?
Most patients experience minimal discomfort. Dentists perform these procedures with local anesthesia, and post-treatment soreness is usually mild and short-lived.
How long does recovery take?
Initial healing typically takes one to two weeks. Many patients return to normal activities within a day or two.
Will my teeth look longer after treatment?
Yes. Treatment reveals more natural tooth structure, making teeth appear longer and more proportionate.
Is gummy smile treatment only cosmetic?
While aesthetics play a major role, treatment can also improve oral health by making teeth easier to clean and reducing areas where bacteria collect.