Gummy Smile Botox.

When too much gum tissue is displayed when smiling, this is known as a gummy smile. There are a number of reasons for this condition, which can range from mild to severe and can cause the affected person a degree of unhappiness if they perceive it to be unattractive. Having the perfect smile is an asset that many people strive to possess, with the ideal amount of gum display being around 2mm – 4 mm. 

Also known as excessive gingival display, a gummy smile is most often found to be a dental concern that is mostly corrected through dental intervention. Small teeth, enlarged gums or the overgrowth of the upper jaw (that causes the gums to bulge) can be addressed by a dental professional, for which they will provide the appropriate solution. However, if a gummy smile is the cause of a hyperactive top lip or a top lip that appears to be too short, this is where an aesthetician may have the right treatment. 

Genetics are often responsible for a top lip that is either hyperactive or too short. When the top lip is hyperactive, the muscle that controls the skin between the nose and mouth overworks to show too much of the teeth and gums when smiling and laughing. 

The application of lip fillers can help to create more volume in the lips, which will in turn reveal less of the gums. The injectable gel also contains a concentration of hyaluronic acid that works to hydrate the lips for a luscious and plump look to the lips, helping to perfect the smile. 

London Lip Clinic uses Juvederm lip fillers to care for this sensual feature and help to rejuvenate the lips and provide a feeling that not only looks good, but feels good too.

Is it considered unattractive?

An optimal smile is one that shows little gum tissue and balanced, even lines on either side. So the focus of your smile is your teeth. People with a gummy smile may feel unattractive because the symmetry of their smile isn’t even.

The three most common causes of a gummy smile.

• A Bad Bite

One of those pesky heredity things that can cause a gummy smile can be a bad bite. When your top jaw doesn’t align properly with your bottom jaw. A bad bite can cause a whole host of problems from jaw pain to crooked teeth as well as a gummy smile. Most often, a bad bite that causes the upper jaw to protrude out farther than it should result in a gummy look.

• Hyperactive Upper Lip

Another cause of gummy smiles that we can thank genetics for is something called a hyperactive upper lip. A hyperactive lip occurs when the muscles in the upper lip and under the nose are, well, hyperactive. This repeated overuse of those muscles can cause the top lip to raise and expose gum tissue.

• Too Much Gum Tissue 

Perhaps the most common cause of a gummy smile is simply having too much gum tissue. During the eruption of permanent teeth, sometimes there’s an overgrowth of gum tissue that covers too much of the teeth. This will result in a gummy appearance. However, infection of the gums can make it appear as if there is too much gum tissue when in fact the infection caused inflammation and the swelling covers too much of the teeth. This cause of a gummy smile is preventable by practicing good brushing and flossing habits.

Why do only girls have a gummy smile?

Women are twice as likely to have a gummy smile than men.

A gummy smile can easily and effectively be treated with Botox with minimal side effects. The best part of this treatment is that it is not invasive and it is a quick procedure! Botox has botulinum toxin type A, and when injected, it can relax the muscles in the upper lip and limit the rise of the upper lip when smiling, so the gums will remain covered. Two or more units of Botox are injected in the area between the nose and upper lip to reduce the appearance of any “gummy” smile, creating a more appealing and natural smile.

Again, treating a gummy smile with Botox is a minimally invasive procedure hence no side effects. The upper lip that is relaxed with Botox no longer contracts or elevates as much when smiling. The treatment is incredibly effective, and the results usually last 3 months; we have found that when we repeat this procedure, over time, generally we get more time between when treatment is required. One may return to work immediately after treatment, and results are often almost immediate with the full effect occurring by two weeks.

How long does gummy smile Botox last?

Gummy Smile Botox usually lasts between three and five months.

How long does it take to work?

The results are not immediate. Upon injecting the Botox, you should wait for 2 or 3 days to see an improvement. The elevation of the upper lip will gradually decrease, and the full result will be visible within 14 days post-treatment. Additional injections may be required depending on the results you want.

Is Botox for gummy smile safe?

All Botulinum Toxin treatments may result in inadvertently touching other small facial muscles, which may result in a temporary light asymmetry. In most cases this can be corrected at the check-up. In rare cases one will have to wait until the Botulinum toxin has worn off.

Can you reverse gummy smile Botox?

The Botox will need to wear off and gummy smile will return in 3-4 months.

Where do you inject and how many units for a gummy smile?

Once you’re ready for your first Gummy Smile Botox session, we’ll help get you comfortable and then strategically inject into two small areas around 2-4 units of Botox.

The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes and requires zero downtime, so you can come in during your lunch hour and then head right back to your daily activities. Most patients notice a difference in their smiles and not much gum is seen within three to four days of treatment. The softening of the lip lift results in a more attractive smile that you’ll be happy to show off. The results are so natural-looking that no one else will know that you’ve “had work done”—unless you tell them. Gummy Smile Botox lasts 8 to 12 weeks, after which time you’ll need additional treatments to maintain your results.

Gummy smile Botox price

This treatment is modest and it depends on the severity of the smile concern. Our prices at London lip Clinic start from £175.

Gummy smile Botox before and after

The treatment approach depends on the underlying cause. Here are some of the simple ways of correcting a gummy smile.

Crown lengthening: In this treatment for gummy smile, excess gum tissues and the underline bone is cut and reshaped, so that the full size of teeth is exposed. This procedure is used when large amount of gingival tissues need to be removed. In this procedure, the flap of the surrounding tissue of the teeth is lifted  and then the excess gum tissues are scooped out followed by proper shaping of the teeth and gums.

Gum-recontouring: This is a dental procedure performed by the dentist. In this procedure, the dentist will reshape the gum line. It is done with the use of advanced laser technology, and is therefore a completely painless procedure. This treatment is also beneficial for good oral hygiene purposes.

Root planing and scaling: This process for gummy smile reduction is used when the enlargement of gums is due to the inflammation and infection of gingival. Dental surgeons deep clean the root surface to remove the dental plaque and calculus and then planning of the root is done. It will reduce the inflammation and as a result the gummy appearance.

Lip repositioning: It is a simple and safe surgical procedure. This procedure is indicated in a short lip or hyper mobile upper lip. This gummy smile correction is done under local anaesthesia, and the connective tissues of upper lip are removed and this results in restriction of ‘elevator’ muscle.

Orthognathic surgery: In this treatment ‘jaw line’ correction (re-contouring the upper jaw and secure in the proper position) is done through the surgery, under general anaesthesia and with hospital stay. Because it is more intensive procedure, one should consult the orthodontist as well as maxillofacial surgeon.

Botox: It is temporary way of correcting the gummy smile. This is a minimally invasive procedure in which Botox is injected in the upper lip resulting in temporary paralysis of elevator muscles that control the lip movement. It is usually injected in three elevator muscle of the upper lip, which covers the lateral side of the ala of nose. It has to be repeated every 3-4 months.

• Botox injections cause little discomfort and less so with repeated treatment.
• Recovery is immediate as soon as the procedure is finished.
• Botox is cost-effective as compared to surgical and other treatment options.
• Results are natural and quick.
• Injections can be adjusted depending on the results required.

This treatment does not influence eating habits.

Certainly! Your gums will be less noticeable, so yes, that means that your smile has changed.

Some patients may also opt to add a lip filler procedure to the Botox treatment to further enhance their results. This can be easily achieved with injections of a dermal filler that adds volume and fullness to a thin, undefined upper lip.

We shall sit down with you to listen to your concerns, discuss your goals, and determine whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure.We have a consultation and take pictures and you sign a consent form.