Botox Treatment for a Gummy Smile

Reviewed by Dr. Brent Boyse

Reading time: three minutes

A gummy smile happens when more gum tissue shows above the upper teeth than expected when you smile. This can happen for several reasons, including a hyperactive upper lip or excess gum tissue. In the right cases, Botox can help by relaxing the muscles that lift the upper lip, reducing how much gum shows when you smile.

Table of Contents

• How Botox Is Used To Treat a Gummy Smile
• Is It Really Noticeable?
• How Long Do Results Last?
• How Many Units of Botox Are Used for a Gummy Smile?
• Is This the Same as a Lip Flip?
• Gummy Smile Treatment at AZ Max
• Botox in Mesa, AZ
• FAQs

How Botox Is Used To Treat a Gummy Smile

Botox (botulinum toxin) works by relaxing the muscles that raise the upper lip when you smile. These muscles are located near the sides of the nose and help control how high the lip lifts. When they relax, the upper lip does not rise as much, so less gum tissue shows.

It is often a good option for patients whose lip position looks normal at rest, but too much gum shows only when they smile. Many people also choose Botox as a temporary, non-surgical option before considering a more permanent treatment.

If the gummy smile is caused by excess gum tissue, Botox may only provide limited improvement. Treatments like gum contouring or crown lengthening may be more effective depending on the cause.

Is It Really Noticeable?

It will be noticeable to you because you see yourself everyday. You might notice that it feels different when you smile and it may even take time for you to get used to how your smile looks. The results will be subtle but you will definitely notice a difference in how high the lip moves. 

Remember that Botox wears off over time. The more the muscles are used, the quicker it wears off. So if you don’t like the results, don’t worry, it will wear off and you will regain full muscle movement.  

How Long Do Results Last?

Most Botox results last about 3 to 4 months, though muscle strength, metabolism, and smile habits can affect how long it lasts. 

How Many Units of Botox Are Used for a Gummy Smile?

Most gummy smile treatments use a small amount of Botox, usually between 2 and 6 units total. The goal is not to freeze the smile, but to soften excessive upper lip movement while keeping natural facial expression. Small adjustments are often enough to create a noticeable improvement without making the smile look unnatural.

Is This the Same as a Lip Flip?

A lip flip is designed to make the upper lip appear slightly fuller by relaxing the muscles around the lip border. It helps the lip roll outward, which creates more visible lip shape but does not significantly reduce gum show.

Botox for a gummy smile targets the muscles higher near the sides of the nose that cause the upper lip to lift too much when smiling. The goal is to reduce excessive gum display, not add lip volume.

Some patients may benefit from both treatments, but they are not the same procedure.

Gummy Smile Treatment at AZ Max

Treating a gummy smile with Botox requires more than placing injections. It depends on understanding how the upper lip muscles move, how the smile functions, and whether the cause is muscular or related to excess gum tissue.

As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Brent Boyse has advanced training in facial anatomy, muscle function, and smile balance. During your consultation, he evaluates upper lip movement, gum display, and whether Botox is the right treatment or if another option would provide better long-term results.

Botox in Mesa, AZ

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Boyse at our Superstition Springs location, call or text (480) 830-5866 or visit us at 6755 E. Superstition Springs Blvd. Suite 103 Mesa, AZ.

FAQs