I Show A Lot of Gum When I Smile — Can You Help?

A gummy smile isn’t an unnatural or bad thing. Some people simply have shorter teeth, or their gumline falls lower on their teeth. However, we expect a specific aesthetic from our smiles, and “gummy” isn’t on the most-wanted list of attributes.

At Margaret Culotta-Norton, DDS, PC, in Washington, DC, Dr. Culotta Norton and Dr. Peter Grinc can help you with your gummy smile by giving you the smile of your dreams. She uses veneers to create your ideal smile, and you won’t have to worry about your gums showing any more.

Veneer basics 

When your smile isn’t quite perfect but you don’t need serious dental work, there’s a cost-effective solution waiting for you. Veneers cover a multitude of small smile flaws, from discolorations to small chips or cracks to overly prominent gums.

Each set of veneers is custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly while presenting a beautiful smile to the world. We use thin pieces of tooth-colored porcelain that we adhere to your teeth after we remove a microlayer of enamel to make room. 

If you have a gummy smile we will refer you to a periodontist to decrease the amount of gum showing and increase the amount of tooth that shows.  We will  then fabricate your veneers so the front faces fit tightly against your gums and give the appearance of longer teeth and shorter gums.

Advantages of fixing your gummy smile

Your smile has a huge impact both on how others perceive you and how you perceive yourself. If you don’t like your smile, you’re unlikely to use it, keeping your mouth closed as much as possible or covering your mouth when you smile or laugh.

Fixing a gummy smile can increase your self-confidence, self-esteem, and feelings of self-worth, improving your personal and professional life. Your relationships with other people can improve, as they will see your great smile and think of you as a friendly, approachable, and responsible person. 

A big smile is considered more attractive than a small one, and once your gums are covered by pretty new veneers, you can smile as widely as you want. You’ll love the way you look, and that positivity will spill over into your every-day interactions. 

Taking care of your veneers

You’ll still need to follow a strict at-home oral hygiene regimen. We’ll show you how to care for your veneers when we place them. With proper care, each set of porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years if maintained properly. (Some dentists offer composite veneers, but they barely last half that amount of time.)  

Still not sure if veneers are for you? During your consultation, Dr. Margaret Culotta-Norton can perform an evaluation and discuss your options with you to help you find a solution that fits your needs. 

To schedule an appointment, call 202-833-1111 or visit the contact page for more options.