Gummy Smile Treatment Melbourne
A gummy smile is excess gum that shows when we smile — and it is all a matter of perception. Each individual is different, each with our own unique characteristics. Our aim is to guide you through the options available to reduce a gummy smile.
What causes a gummy smile?
Here at our Melbourne dental studio, we realise that the key to a successful outcome is to understand our patient’s identity. The shape, colour and size of each tooth should all seamlessly blend in to create natural looking facial aesthetics. Our technologically advanced dental studio is located on the border of Thornbury and South Preston, in an ideal location where we can help you design your best smile.
Tooth problems
Over time, and with habits like grinding and clenching, we can wear down our teeth. This causes the downward movement of the teeth as they try to maintain their bite, bringing the gums down with it in the process.
Gum problems
Some people have a lot of good tooth hiding under the excess gum — a developmental issue that occurs during growth. Others have excess gum because of mouth breathing, certain medications and also poor oral hygiene.
Lip problems
Lip problems
What are the treatments for a gummy smile?
Gummy smiles are normally a combination of problems, and as such, a combination of treatment options can be utilised together. Other cosmetic treatments such as porcelain veneers or orthodontic treatment are done in conjunction with these treatments. If you have a gummy smile and would like to learn more, contact us for your cosmetic consultation — we are here to help guide you through each step of the way.
Gum re-contouring
A technique where small amounts of gum are removed, exposing natural healthy tooth underneath. This is a surgical process — at The Smile Designer we utilise dental lasers to aid in this technique.
Muscle relaxants & facial injections
Muscle relaxant or facial injections can temporarily relax the muscles of the lip that cause the hyper mobility. It is a procedure that will require regular maintenance and top-up appointments.
Crown lengthening
When there is an excess of bone as well as gum causing the gummy smile, this excess bone will need to be removed, in order for the gums to heal back to allow the normal proportions of the tooth to be revealed.
Lip or jaw surgery
Jaw surgery such as orthognathic surgery is normally done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment — the upper jaw (and sometimes both jaws) is surgically adjusted to its ideal position. Lip surgery is done by plastic surgeons to restrict or lengthen the upper lip.
Orthodontic treatment
Crooked teeth can give the illusion of a gummy smile, especially when the position of the teeth is angled back into your mouth, or if you have a deep bite. Braces or Invisalign are used to correct dental crowding but also to change the position, angles and intrude each tooth to its ideal position.
There are risks and benefits to all treatments. The content posted on our website does not constitute medical advice. Risks, results, complication and recovery times will vary between individuals. For specific treatment risks, please visit our treatment risks page.
Our gummy smile treatment & options, explained
Wondering which option fits your smile?
A cosmetic consultation with digital smile planning maps the cause — and the gentlest path forward.
Real smiles from our studio
Composite Veneers
- Treatment: Composite Veneers
- By Dr Dev Boparoy DEN0001145304, General Registration & Associates
Porcelain Veneers
- Treatment: 8 Porcelain Veneers
- By: Dr Dev Boparoy DEN0001145304, General Registration & Associates
Invisalign
- Treatment: Invisalign — crowding
- By:Dr Dev Boparoy DEN0001145304, General Registration & Associates
All-on-4 Implants
- Treatment: All-on-4 upper & lower
- By: Dr Dev Boparoy DEN0001145304, General Registration & Associates
The outcomes shown are only relevant to these patients and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience. All photos are of actual patients of The Smile Designer, unaltered, with no filters. There are risks and benefits to all treatments; individual results vary. Treatment risks and considerations can be found here.
Gummy smile treatment in Preston
We treat gummy smiles at our Preston studio on High Street for patients from Thornbury, Northcote, Coburg, Brunswick and Reservoir. Gum contouring and related treatments are planned carefully around your goals, and our on-site parking makes appointments easy from anywhere in the inner north. A Digital Smile Design preview helps map the result first.
New patient exam & clean — $295
Comprehensive Dental Examination · Intraoral & Extraoral (OPG) X-rays and Dental Photos · Dental Hygiene Visit (Scale & Polish) · Fluoride Treatment · Oral Cancer Screening · Valued over $475, T&C’s apply
18+ years
caring for the Preston community with gentle, modern dentistry
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AHPRA
registered, experienced clinicians across general & cosmetic dentistry
Payment plans
flexible options available, with all health funds welcome
The clinicians behind your smile
Gentle, highly qualified clinicians providing cosmetic, restorative and general dentistry for all ages — in a studio designed to feel comfortable and welcoming. Every smile journey here begins with a conversation.
From the journal
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Prefer to talk? Call 03 9089 7574 — we’re happy to chat.
Visit us on High Street
- Mon–Tue 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Wed–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM