Gummy smile at a glance
- What it is: excessive gum display when smiling – gums are considered prominent when 4 mm or more of gum tissue shows above the upper lip
- Most common cause: hyperactivity of the muscles that lift the upper lip; lip length, tooth-to-gum proportions and the position of the upper jaw also play a role
- Treatment: botox relaxes the upper-lip muscles and limits how high the lip rises when smiling, so the gums stay covered
- Protocol: a few units of botox in the area between the nose and the upper lip; the treatment is quick, with no anaesthesia and no downtime
- Duration: results usually last about 3 months; with repeat treatments the intervals between sessions gradually lengthen
- Price: see the price list
What is a gummy smile?
Excessive gum display when smiling, known as a gummy smile, is an aesthetic concern in which too much gum tissue shows above the upper teeth. A beautiful smile is a matter of personal perception, but it is generally accepted that gums are prominent when four millimetres or more of gum tissue is visible above the edge of the upper lip when smiling.
A gummy smile is rarely caused by a single factor. The mobility and length of the upper lip, the size and shape of the teeth, the area of exposed gum and the position of the upper jaw and teeth relative to the skull all shape how the smile looks. Every treatment therefore starts with an analysis of the smile and a conversation about what bothers the patient.
Causes of excessive gum display
The most common cause of a gummy smile is hyperfunction of the upper-lip muscles – the lip rises higher than usual when smiling and reveals too much gum tissue. This form responds best to botulinum toxin treatment.
Other causes include an anatomically short upper lip, which does not cover the gums sufficiently even at rest; excess gum tissue (gingival hypertrophy), where the gums cover too much of the teeth and the teeth look short; altered tooth eruption, where the teeth do not emerge to their full height; and vertical maxillary excess, a skeletal cause in which more gum shows when smiling. A combination of several factors is common.
How is a gummy smile treated with botox?
The best thing about this treatment is that it is quick and non-invasive. Injecting botox into the muscles that elevate the upper lip relaxes them, so the lip rises less when smiling – the gums stay covered and the smile looks more natural.
Typically two or more units of botox are injected into the area between the nose and the upper lip. Studies have shown botulinum toxin to be highly effective for gummy smiles caused by lip dynamics: the effect is reversible, onset is fast, application is safe, the risk is low and the outcome satisfactory, with rarely reported complications.
In patients whose gummy smile has a skeletal or gingival cause, botox can soften the problem, but the treatment plan includes other options that are discussed during the examination.
How long do the results last?
Once relaxed by botox, the upper lip no longer rises as much when smiling. The first changes are visible within days, and the full effect develops after about two weeks. Results usually last around three months, and with repeated treatments the intervals between sessions gradually lengthen.
Patients return to their daily activities immediately after the treatment – no recovery is needed.
How much does gummy smile correction cost?
The price depends on the amount of botox and the individual plan – see the price list; the exact plan is determined at the examination.
Frequently asked questions about gummy smile
What causes excessive gum display when smiling?
Most often hyperactive upper-lip muscles, with possible contributions from an anatomically short lip, excess gum tissue, altered tooth eruption and vertical maxillary excess. A combination of factors is common.
How does botox correct a gummy smile?
Injected into the muscles that lift the upper lip, botox relaxes them and limits how high the lip rises when smiling, so the gums stay covered.
How long do the results last?
Usually about three months, and with regular repetition the intervals between treatments lengthen. The full effect is visible after about two weeks.
Is the treatment invasive and does it require recovery?
No – the treatment is non-invasive and patients return to their activities immediately.
Read more
- Botox: softening expression lines and relaxing muscles
- Perioral wrinkles: causes and treatments
- Lip augmentation with hyaluronic fillers
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