Did you know a gummy smile tends to be more prevalent in women than in men? If you’re someone who hides your smile in every photo due to excessive gingival display, you’re not alone. There could be a few reasons why you have a gummy smile such as enlarged gum tissue, a smaller upper lip, upper jaw growth, and more. The good news is that you don’t need to have gum surgery like your dentist may suggest. Most gummy smiles can be treated with just a few units of Botox.
What Is A Gummy Smile?
Let’s break down the gummy smile in simpler terms. Someone with a gummy smile will expose more of their gums and more commonly on the upper teeth. An “ideal” smile generally only exposes 2 millimeters or less of gum tissue. Many who have a gummy smile find that their teeth appear smaller and they feel less confident showing off their beautiful teeth. Gingival hypertrophy is one of the many causes and this is also known as enlarged gums. A gummy smile can also be a result of your genetics. Excess vertical maxillary effects your jaw, which can show off more of your gums. A smaller upper lip may make the gums appear larger as well.
with Botox
Dermatologists, nurses, and even dentists might recommend that you consider treating your gummy smile with Botox. It is non-invasive, quick, and effective! Botox, also known as Botulinum toxin type A, is an injection used to relax the muscles underneath the skin. This targets wrinkles and disproportioned areas of the face, like a gummy smile. The muscle above the upper lip can be overactive and by injecting it with just a few units of Botox this can drop the lip and cover an excessive gummy smile. Botox lasts anywhere between 3-4 months and if kept up you can keep that overactive muscle from overexposing your gums. This treatment is quick and can be done in 30 minutes or less. Results will show up gradually within 2 weeks.
with Fillers
Another way to improve a gummy smile while also enhancing a thin upper lip is by plumping it with fillers. You can lower the upper lip as we mentioned above with Botox injections and enhance the size of your lips with Filler to also hide gums that are over 3 millimeters. Fillers are injectables made out of hyaluronic acid or collagen that add volume and hydration to your lips. It is also non-invasive and can be done in an hour or less. These treatments are often combined to achieve the best results so you can smile more confidently.
Ready To Treat Your Gummy Smile?
According to healthline, 10% of 20 to 30 year olds have a gummy smile, but you don’t have to put up with hiding your smile forever. With the assistance of Botox and/or Fillers, we can help you achieve the smile that makes you feel most confident!
Book Your Complimentary Consultation
Ready to address your gummy smile? Book a complimentary consultation with one of our injectors to learn more about these treatments and receive a personalized treatment plan to make you feel like your most confident self. See you at the spa!
