What's the best way to get rid of a gummy smile? i've heard that both crown lengthening and gum surgery can help fix a gummy smile. which way works best?

It : It is difficult to answer this question with having a clinical exam completed. However, gummy smiles can be corrected. Depending on the extent of the problem, some may need jaw surgery, others can be corrected by simple contouring of the gum tissue while others may require a crown lengthening procedure or a combination of procedures. I would suggest you have it evaluated by a periodontist. Periodontists are the experts in this area.

Crown : Crown lengthening is in effect a gum surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, just removal of the soft tissue or more aggressive removal of surrounding bone may be necessary. This can be determined by a periodontist.

Why : Why you have a gummy smile is important to determine. Is it because the teeth are covered by too much gum and the teeth look small? Or do you see normal sized teeth, but a lot of gum also shows? If it is the first, gum surgery is probably the best choice. If it is the second, something as simple as Botox to the upper lip can keep it from lifting and showing so much gum. Bottom line, you need the correct diagnosis first, then the correct treatment can be recommended.

Age dependent: If the gummy smile is not too severe, and the skeletal presentation is within normal limits, a growing patient may have orthodontic correction which can markedly reduce a gummy smile. Intruding the incisor teeth to a higher position will with time allow the bone and gum tissue to remodel at that higher level. It is certainly less invasive than gum surgery.

Same thing: Crown lengthening is a type of gum surgery. Most often a "gummy" smile may be skeletal in origin (a result of a vertical upper jaw excess) or it could be a gum tissue issue or both. Orthodontic, oral surgery, and/or periodontal treatments are all possibilities that will be considered by your orthodontist. Best to ask their advice.