Gummy Smile
Botox® for a Gummy Smile
Best Results
1 treatment
Best Results
1 treatment
Duration of Results
12 - 16 weeks
Duration of Results
12 - 16 weeks
Treatment recovery
None
Treatment recovery
None
Risks & complications
Low to moderate
Risks & complications
Low to moderate
Anaesthetic
None
Anaesthetic
None
Procedure time
20 min
Procedure time
20 min
Skin specialist
Medically qualified
Skin specialist
Medically qualified
Back to work
Same day
Back to work
Same day
Top Questions
Gummy Smile Overview
Botox® is commonly used to relax muscles of the face to soften wrinkles, particularly those that occur due to facial expressions. The neurotoxin present in Botox® and other botulinum toxin drugs such as Vistabel®, Dysport®, Azzalure® are potent neurotoxins derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Botulinum toxin can also be used to help reduce a gummy smile.
A gummy smile is when teeth and a significant amount of gums show when a person smiles. There are a variety of causes, from jaw and teeth development issues, to large teeth.
One cause is the muscle which controls your upper lip may being hyperactive, which causes your upper lip to rise higher than normal when you smile. If this is the case, Botox® or other botulinum toxin products can be used to reduce the action of this muscle, reducing the elevation of your upper lip when you smile.
This Glowday Treatment Guide has been edited and medically verified by Andrew Rankin.
How does Botox® for a gummy smile work?
Botox® and other botulinum toxin drugs are potent neurotoxins derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Muscle contraction happens when nerves release a neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) onto muscle cells, causing those cells to contract. When Botox® or other botulinum toxins are injected into a muscle, the release of acetylcholine from the nerves stimulating that muscle is prevented. The muscle contractions are weakened, preventing the lip elevator muscles from contracting so much.
Following the first treatment, the elevator muscles will atrophy (waste away slightly). This will result in the upper lip not rising so much when you smile.
Who is suitable for gummy smile treatment using Botox®?
If you are self-conscious about having a gummy smile, revealing more teeth and gum than you like when you smile, Botox® may be a potential treatment to address this.
How should I prepare for a gummy smile treatment using Botox®?
A week before the treatment, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E and fish oil supplements. These may increase bleeding and bruising. You can take paracetamol.
If you are taking any prescribed medication, including aspirin, do not stop taking it – consult your practitioner or your GP first.
Avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before your treatment, as this also increases the risk of bruising.
What happens during a gummy smile treatment using Botox®?
Step One - Consultation and Consent
It is important to understand that Botox® is a prescription only medicine. It is a legal requirement that the consultation is performed by a prescribing practitioner and you should confirm this with them.
Step Two - Your Gummy Smile Treatment
Your gummy smile treatment will take around 20 minutes. It should be performed by the prescriber who undertook your consultation.
Step Three - The Follow-up
It is a requirement that the prescriber is available to review the treatment if necessary.
This is usually done after 2 weeks but should be sooner if there are any problems.
This allows them to check that the dose administered was appropriate for the agreed outcome, and to adjust if necessary.
Step Four - The Repeat Treatment
A new course of treatment can be administered every 12 – 16 weeks.
What should I/shouldn't I do after Botox® injections for a gummy smile??
After your Botox treatment, you can go about your normal day. It is important, however, that you follow the advice of your practitioner carefully. This will help you gain maximum effect from the procedure and reduce the risk of complications.
You may experience localised redness and pin-prick marks around the injection sites.
- The treatment takes around 72 hours to begin working and 2 weeks for the effects to be fully realized, although you may feel most of the effect after 7 to 10 days.
- Contact your practitioner if you have any unusual results such as prolonged bruising, swelling, irritation or infection.
What are the side effects and risks of Botox® injections for a gummy smile?
Most clients find botulinum toxin injections to be relatively painless and straightforward.
A small minority of clients choose to have a topical numbing cream applied to the area 20-30 minutes prior to the treatment. If you feel you have a low pain threshold, be sure to put this on your medical history form, so your practitioner can apply the cream early in your consultation.
Some side effects include:
- Temporary bleeding/bruising
- Mild swelling
- Post-treatment headache
More serious side effects can occur for treatment of other areas (e.g. double vision, drooping lip, difficulty swallowing or breathing, change of voice or difficulty pronouncing some words.
This list is not exhaustive and you should consult your practitioner if you are concerned in any way.
DO NOT have botulinum toxin injections if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You are trying to get pregnant
You also need to let your practitioner know if:
- You have a muscular disease (e.g. Bell's Palsy)
- You have any blood or nervous system disorders
- You are taking any medications which affect blood clotting
- You are taking any medicines
- You have any psychological concerns
How much do Botox® injections for a gummy smile cost?
Botox® for a gummy smile costs from £150
Glowday Disclaimer
All information in our Glowday Treatment Guides and blog articles is intended for reference and information. The information given here is to help you make informed decisions when considering the wide range of non-surgical aesthetic treatments available.
It is NOT intended as medical advice. Any reliance placed by you on the information contained within the Glowday Treatment Guides, Glowday blog articles or on any of Glowday.com is done by you at your own risk.
Before undergoing any non-surgical cosmetic treatment mentioned anywhere on Glowday.com, you should fully consult with an appropriately qualified and accredited practitioner who is properly trained in and fully insured to conduct the treatment you are interested in. Neither the author of the guides or blog articles, or the practitioner who has verified the guides nor Glowery Limited can be held responsible or liable for any loss or claim arising from the use or misuse of the content of Glowday.com.