A gummy smile is a common problem that affects many people. It is a condition where a significant portion of the gums shows when a person smiles. Although it is not considered a medical concern, a gummy smile can negatively affect a person’s self-confidence and cause self-consciousness about their appearance.
A gummy smile occurs due to several reasons, including genetics, overgrowth of the gums, and a small upper lip. It can also happen due to certain medical conditions, such as hyperactive muscles in the upper lip. In some cases, orthodontic treatment may cause a gummy smile, as teeth movement may expose more gum tissue.
A gummy smile can negatively impact the lower face by making the face look imbalanced. It can also make the teeth look small and make a person appear older than their age.
Botulinum toxin injections have emerged as a popular solution for treating gummy smiles. Botulinum toxin is a neuromodulator that can relax the muscles that cause the upper lip to rise too high when smiling, reducing the amount of gum tissue that is visible. The treatment is minimally invasive, safe, and requires no downtime.
Botulinum toxin injection treatment for a gummy smile typically involves injecting the specific muscles of the upper lip, the procedure takes only a few minutes, is virtually painless and results are noticeable within a few days and last for several months, depending on the individual’s metabolism.
In some patients who also have naturally thin lips as well as hyperactive lip muscles, we can also perform subtle lip augmentation with filler to compliment the effects of gummy smile injection and further harmonise an individual smile and overall appearance.