Feel free to ask ASK Dr BAK AI about your dental questions. Click on the button “ASK Dr BAK AI”

Can Clear Aligners Help with a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile occurs when an excessive amount of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth when smiling. For some, this is purely cosmetic—but for others, it may affect confidence or even oral health. If you’re considering clear aligners and wondering if they can also address a gummy smile, here’s what you need to know: Yes, aligners can help reduce the appearance of a gummy smile—but only in certain cases.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Before determining whether aligners can help, it’s important to understand the cause of your gummy smile. Common causes include:

Tooth misalignment (teeth not fully erupted or appear shorter)
Overactive upper lip muscles
Excessive gum tissue (gingival overgrowth)
Short or worn-down teeth
Jaw positioning or overgrowth (vertical maxillary excess)

The effectiveness of aligners in treating a gummy smile depends largely on whether the cause is dental or skeletal.

How Aligners Can Help Reduce a Gummy Smile

Clear aligners like Invisalign work by gradually repositioning your teeth. In gummy smile cases related to tooth alignment, they may:

Help reveal more of the tooth surface by extruding under-erupted teeth
Move teeth vertically to improve how they meet the gum line
Improve the overall symmetry and aesthetics of your smile
Correct bite issues that may contribute to how much gum tissue shows when smiling

In these scenarios, clear aligners can create a more balanced smile without the need for surgical intervention.

When Aligners Alone Are Not Enough

If your gummy smile is caused by factors outside of tooth alignment, aligners may still play a supportive role, but additional treatments might be required:

Gum contouring (gingivectomy) – Reshapes excess gum tissue for a cleaner tooth-to-gum ratio
Lip repositioning surgery – Reduces the upward movement of the upper lip during smiling
Botox injections – Temporarily limits upper lip elevation
Orthognathic (jaw) surgery – Corrects vertical jaw discrepancies in severe skeletal cases

Your orthodontist or cosmetic dentist will determine the right combination of treatments for your case.

Aligners and Smile Design: A Holistic Approach

Modern orthodontics is about more than straightening teeth—it’s about designing a smile that complements your whole face. Aligners can be part of a comprehensive smile makeover when combined with:

Digital smile simulations
Interdisciplinary planning (orthodontist, periodontist, surgeon)
Long-term stability strategies

Dr. Bak’s Philosophy: Function + Aesthetics

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Bak Nguyen customizes aligner treatment to improve both bite function and facial aesthetics. He offers honest, thorough evaluations and collaborates with periodontists and oral surgeons when necessary to achieve the best result for your smile.

Book a free virtual consultation to learn more about your case, its treatment time and cost with Dr Bak Nguyen (the real one).

Les aligneurs peuvent être utilisés pour traiter certains cas de sous-plomb, en particulier si le problème est lié à la position des dents plutôt qu'à l'os de la mâchoire. Dans ces cas, les aligneu

Yes, aligners can move teeth vertically, but this is generally more challenging than moving teeth horizontally. Vertical movements might be slower and may require additional tools such as attachments to ensure the teeth move as planned. The aligners

Oui, les aligneurs peuvent être efficaces pour traiter une occlusion croisée, en particulier lorsque le problème concerne le positionnement des dents plutôt que l'os de la mâchoire. Les aligneurs fonctionnent en appliq

What are aligners made of - Invisalign plastic material - Clear correct - Straumann - BPA-free aligners - Medical-grade plastic in clear aligners - Clear aligners comfort - Invisalign durability - Biocompatible orthodontic plastic - Orthodontist Montreal - Clear braces material -Aligner composition

Can Aligners Fix a Gummy Smile?