Hello there!
Congratulations on almost getting your braces off soon. Though your smile may not be exactly where you want it to be yet, I'm sure that there has been significant improvement.
When it comes to gummy smiles, sometimes it is due to a short upper lip, or due to skeletal discrepancy called "Maxillary Excess" which means that the upper jaw is long.
The options for correcting a gummy smile would be as follows
1. Botulinium Toxin A (Botox) to the upper lip. This is a temporary but most minimally invasive approach where botox will be used to relax the upper lip muscle and give a less gummy smile.
Estimated price range is between $200 - 500 depending on which clinic you go to and how much is needed.
2. Gingivectomy of the upper gums. This is a more invasive approach where your gum positions are readjusted according which would also make your teeth look slight longer.
Estimated price range is between $1500 - 3500 depending on whether you are being treated by a general practitioner or specialist and which clinic you go to. This may be medisave claimable for Singaporeans and PRs but it is best to consult with your dentist first.
3. Osteotomy of upper jaw. Surgical repositioning of the upper jaw which would be the most invasive approach to take which based on the photo provided is unlikely needed in your case.
Estimated price range is above $5000 and this procedure can only be done by an oral maxillofacial surgeon specialist. This is a full surgical procedure and medisave claimable for Singaporeans and PRs.
I hope you find this information helpful and all the best!
Warm regards,
Dr Beth
