Gummy Smile and Orthodontics in Seoul
Quick answer
A gummy smile, clinically excessive gingival display, is when a large band of gum shows above the upper teeth as you smile. Causes include over-erupted front teeth, a long upper jaw, a short or very mobile upper lip, or gum covering part of the teeth. At Isu Yonsei Baro Orthodontics, Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee identifies the cause before suggesting orthodontic or combined care.
What a gummy smile is
When most people smile fully, the upper lip rises to around the gumline, showing little gum. In a gummy smile, a wider band of gum is visible. There is no single cut-off, and how much gum looks attractive is partly personal and cultural, but clinicians often discuss treatment when the display is several millimeters or when it bothers the patient.
Common causes
- Dental: upper front teeth that have over-erupted, often with a deep bite
- Gum: gum tissue covering more of the tooth than usual (altered passive eruption), making teeth look short
- Skeletal: vertical maxillary excess, where the upper jaw is long vertically
- Lip: a short upper lip or a lip that lifts more than average when smiling
Why it matters
A gummy smile is mainly an aesthetic concern, and many people with one are perfectly healthy. It becomes more relevant when it is linked to a deep bite, short-looking teeth or lip strain. Because different causes call for different treatments, a precise diagnosis prevents choosing a procedure that does not address the real problem.
How it is diagnosed
Dr. Lee measures how much tooth shows with the lips at rest and in a full smile, how far the lip moves and the length of the teeth. The RAY Face 3D facial scanner records lip and face proportions. A RAY Quantum 5D CT (CBCT) scan shows the vertical position of the upper jaw and incisor roots and the bone around them. Intraoral digital scans and photos document crown length and gum levels. When gum or lip factors are significant, referral to a periodontist or other specialist may be recommended.
Treatment options
- Orthodontic intrusion: braces or aligners, often with temporary anchorage devices, can move over-erupted upper front teeth upward, which may reduce gum display and improve a deep bite.
- Gum contouring: when gum covers the teeth, a periodontal procedure may be suggested, sometimes after orthodontics.
- Tooth proportions: after orthodontics, minimal-prep veneers may help in selected cases.
- Skeletal cases: significant vertical excess may require surgical orthodontics.
Typical timeline
When intrusion is part of comprehensive orthodontics, treatment commonly takes roughly 12–24 months. Additional gum or restorative steps add time. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after examination.
What to expect at Isu Yonsei Baro
Your first visit takes about 60 minutes, with digital scans, X-rays or CT, and smile photos and facial scans. Dr. Lee explains in English which factors contribute to your gum display and which can be addressed orthodontically. In Dr. Lee's practice, the amount of upper tooth visible at rest is preserved during intrusion, because over-correcting a gummy smile can make the face look older. You receive a written estimate before deciding.
At a glance
- Clinical term: excessive gingival display; often discussed when more than about 3–4 mm of gum shows
- Several possible causes, often more than one at once
- Orthodontic intrusion with temporary anchorage devices can help when front teeth are over-erupted
- Some causes need gum contouring, lip treatment or jaw surgery from other specialists
- Often seen together with a deep bite
Your orthodontist
Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
- MOHW-certified orthodontic specialist
- PhD in Orthodontics, Yonsei University; Severance Hospital residency
- Member, Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists
- 2026 AJO-DO peer reviewer
- Consults in fluent English and treats you herself, start to finish
Isu Station Exit 2 · 1-minute walk
Mon & Thu until 9 PM · Sat 9 AM–2 PM
+82 2-592-2080
Frequently asked questions
Can braces fix a gummy smile?
Braces or aligners can reduce a gummy smile when the main cause is over-erupted upper front teeth, often using temporary anchorage devices to intrude them. If the cause is a long upper jaw, gum covering the teeth or a very mobile lip, other treatments may be needed alone or alongside orthodontics.
Can Invisalign reduce gum showing when I smile?
Clear aligners can intrude front teeth in some cases, which may modestly reduce gum display, especially when combined with a deep bite correction. Larger amounts of intrusion are often more predictable with braces and anchorage devices. Dr. Lee assesses which approach suits your situation after scans.
What are mini-screws for a gummy smile?
Temporary anchorage devices, sometimes called mini-screws, are small titanium anchors placed in the bone under local anesthetic. They provide a stable point to gently move upper front teeth upward. They are removed after use. Like any procedure they have possible side effects, which are explained beforehand.
Will a gummy smile come back after treatment?
Some relapse is possible after intrusion, so retainers are important. Results also depend on the cause; gum or skeletal factors not treated can still contribute. Long-term stability varies between individuals, and follow-up visits help monitor changes after active treatment.
Related reading
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after an in-person examination. See our editorial and medical review policy .
Talk to Dr. Lee in English
Send your concern and preferred dates. You'll get an examination, your options, a timeline and a written estimate before you decide anything.