What a Gummy Smile Is
A gummy smile, or excessive gingival display, is when a significant band of gum shows above the upper teeth when you smile. It has nothing to do with dental health. In most people it's simply because the muscles that lift the upper lip are stronger or shorter than average, so the lip rises higher than it needs to. It's very common, and many people who have it have spent years covering their mouth in photos.
How Botox Treats It
Botox is injected on each side of the nose, at the point where the muscles that elevate the lip come together. Relaxing those muscles slightly lowers how high the lip lifts when you smile, so it covers more of the gum. The rest of your smile is unchanged. This is a subtle, technique-dependent treatment, which is why it's worth having done by a physician or PA who understands facial anatomy.
Pricing
| Product | Non-Member | Member |
|---|---|---|
| Botox or Xeomin | $12 per unit | $11 per unit |
| Dysport | $5 per unit | $4 per unit |
Priced per unit. We'll confirm the count and your total before treating you. See Membership Pricing
What to Expect at Home
Dr. Bashian or Rachel Fey, PA will ask you to smile naturally a few times to see how much gum shows and how the lip moves, then place one small injection on each side. There's minimal discomfort and rarely any bruising. Results begin around day five and settle at two weeks. They last three to four months. We'll often start conservatively and adjust at your two-week check-in if you'd like a bit more.
Who It's For
Adults whose gummy smile is caused by lip movement rather than by the shape of the jaw or gums. If the gum display is due to dental or skeletal factors, Botox won't address it, and a dentist or orthodontist is the right first stop. Dr. Bashian or Rachel Fey, PA can usually tell which type you have at your appointment. We do not treat anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Risks and Side Effects
The main risk is over-correction, where the upper lip doesn't lift as much as you'd like when you smile or feels slightly long. This is temporary and wears off with the treatment, and it's why we dose conservatively. Minor bruising or tenderness is uncommon here. Individual results vary.
