A gummy smile is not a medical problem, but it can feel like one when it steals attention from your eyes and cheeks the moment you laugh. I have met engineers who held a hand over their mouth every time they joked, brides who chose tight-lipped photos, and teachers convenient botox near me who practiced a half-smile for the classroom. When the upper lip lifts too high, exposing a broad band of gum tissue, it can change how you carry yourself. The good news is that for many people, a couple of well-placed Botox injections can relax the muscles that pull the lip upward, softening the smile and restoring balance without surgery or downtime.
Botox for gummy smile is a small treatment with outsized impact when done by the right hands. It is not a fix for every cause, and it is not permanent, yet it can be elegant, precise, and refreshingly simple. What follows is a practical guide grounded in clinic experience, science, and patient outcomes.
What a “gummy smile” really means
Dentists and facial aesthetic practitioners use a few measurements to describe smiles. Most people show 1 to 2 millimeters of gum above the front teeth when smiling. A gummy smile often means more than 3 to 4 millimeters of gingival display. The reasons vary. Some lips are naturally short or hypermobile, some upper jaws are slightly overgrown vertically, and some teeth appear short because gum tissue covers part of the crown. In many faces, the elevator muscles that lift the upper lip are simply too active.
Those muscles include the levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and the zygomaticus minor. They form a small fan along the side of the nose and cheek. When you smile, they contract and lift the lip. In a hyperdynamic pattern, the lip vaults high and the gums take center stage. Botox therapy, in carefully measured units, can relax those muscles just enough that your lip stops at a more natural height.
How Botox works on smile muscles
Botox cosmetic is a purified botulinum toxin type A. It temporarily blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, so the muscle contracts less vigorously. You do not lose feeling, and you can still smile, chew, and speak. The art lies in dosing and placement. Too little, and nothing changes. Too much, and the upper lip can look heavy or sluggish, which no one wants on camera or in conversation.
For gummy smile, most practitioners target small points near the alar base and lateral to the nostril, sometimes called the “Yonsei point” when using a three-point schema. The goal is to soften the levator complex while sparing the zygomaticus major and orbicularis oris. The treatment typically uses a total of 2 to 8 units per side depending on the product and the anatomy. Baby Botox techniques, with micro-aliquots spread across a couple of injection points, often create an especially natural look.
Who is a good candidate
If your teeth and gums are healthy, your bite is stable, and your smile shows a broad gum band because the upper lip jumps high, you are likely a candidate for Botox for gummy smile. It can also help a mismatch where the gum display is most noticeable at the canines or along one side, creating asymmetry in photos. On the other hand, if your gummy smile is driven by vertical maxillary excess, a very short upper lip length, altered passive eruption of teeth, or a significant skeletal discrepancy, the improvement with Botox might be partial. In those cases, a dentist or surgeon might suggest adjunctive options like gum contouring, orthodontics, or orthognathic surgery.
There are also general Botox eligibility considerations. You should not be pregnant or breastfeeding. A history of neuromuscular disorders or certain medications can change risk. If you have had prior filler in the upper lip or a recent lip flip, your injector will adjust the plan so the lip retains function and shape.
What the appointment looks like
A typical Botox session for gummy smile takes about 15 minutes once you have finished the consultation. You sit upright. We observe your animated smile, sometimes snapping a quick before photo for your chart and future Botox before and after comparison. The skin is cleaned. Some clinics use a chilled roller or a drop of topical anesthetic, though most patients find the tiny needle tolerable without it.
Two to four injection points per side is common. Each injection feels like a quick pinprick. There is little bleeding, just a pinpoint dot that fades by the time you check out. You discuss aftercare, schedule a touch-up window around 2 weeks, and you are on your way. The Botox downtime is effectively zero. You can return to work, drive, and handle errands.
What you feel and when you see results
Botox results timeline follows a predictable arc. Most people notice the first change around day 3 to 5. The upper lip no longer leaps up as far at the apex of the smile. By day 10 to 14, the effect has matured. You still look like you, but the gum band softens, and the smile reads more balanced.
I always tell first-time patients to practice their biggest smile in the mirror at two weeks before considering an adjustment. If the gummy area is still heavier on one side, a conservative touch up of 1 to 2 units can even it out. Botox bruising is rare in this area because the injections are superficial, but if it happens, it is usually a faint spot that can be covered. Botox swelling is minimal and tends to resolve within an hour.
How long the effect lasts
Botox longevity in the upper lip elevators is usually shorter than in the forehead or crow’s feet. Expect 8 to 12 weeks of consistent improvement, sometimes up to 16 weeks in first-time users or with higher doses. As the effect wears off, the muscles gradually regain full strength. Many people plan Botox maintenance every 3 to 4 months. Over a year, some notice that their hyperactive pattern eases a bit, and they can extend the interval.
One practical note: if you stack a Botox lip flip with gummy smile injections, the combined effect can nudge lip position and function more than expected. Experienced injectors space or adjust doses to keep speech and straw-sipping natural.
Safety, risks, and how to avoid problems
Botox safety for gummy smile is excellent when the injector has real experience in this region. The most common side effects are brief redness at injection points and a day or two of tenderness if you press the area. The low-frequency risks are over-relaxation and asymmetry. Over-relaxation can make the upper lip feel heavy or affect pronunciation of certain consonants for a week or two. It is temporary, but it is frustrating, which is why conservative dosing matters. Asymmetry occurs if one side responds differently. Judicious touch up at two weeks typically solves it.
There are general Botox risks that apply anywhere: headache, a flu-like feeling, or an area-specific unintended spread. Eyelid ptosis is not a realistic risk when treating the upper lip elevator complex if you keep the product low and lateral to the nostril. Choosing a Botox provider who understands facial anatomy down to muscle vectors is your best insurance.
Technique details that matter more than marketing
It is easy to find “Botox deals” or “Botox promotions” online. Price per unit is only part of the story. Gummy smile correction uses few units, yet it is technically fussy. The difference between a lovely, natural smile and a stiff upper lip can be a millimeter in placement and a single unit in dose.
I teach a few rules to new injectors. First, watch the smile, do not guess. Note where the gum display peaks and where the lip pulls most. Second, keep the injection shallow and precise at the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi and lateral levator points. Third, respect asymmetry. Faces are not mirrors. If the right side vaults higher, do not blindly match the left. Fourth, avoid stacking too much product near the philtrum if a lip flip is planned. And finally, schedule a Botox appointment for a follow-up, not just a checkout. Evaluation at two weeks is part of the Botox procedure, not an optional extra.
Comparing options: Botox vs fillers, surgery, and orthodontics
Not every gummy smile needs the same tool. Botox treatment is best for dynamic smiles where muscle pull is the primary driver. Dermal fillers can help in select cases by supporting the upper lip base or lengthening the lip-to-teeth ratio, but filler does not relax muscle, so it is more of a contour assist than a fix. Fillers are better for lip shape, hydration, and balancing the profile.
When the issue is altered passive eruption, where gum covers more of the teeth than it should, a dentist may propose gum contouring or crown lengthening. This can permanently reduce gingival display by revealing more tooth structure. If the cause is a vertical maxillary excess or a skeletal bite discrepancy, orthodontics or orthognathic surgery might be on the table. These are bigger interventions with longer recovery, yet they can be definitive.
For many adults who want to walk out the same day and look more at ease in photos, Botox hits the sweet spot. It is fast, adjustable, and reversible.
The cost question, and what you are paying for
Botox cost for a gummy smile depends on two variables: how many units you need and the expertise of your injector. Because the area often requires a low dose, the total Botox price is typically less than forehead or masseter treatments. Market ranges vary widely by city. In major metro clinics, expect $150 to $450 for this indication, sometimes bundled with a lip flip or brow lift as part of Botox packages. Memberships or a Botox loyalty program can shave a small percentage off each appointment, and some offices run seasonal Botox specials.
Be cautious with deep-discount Botox deals. Product authenticity, dilution, and injector training matter. A reputable Botox clinic buys from authorized distributors, tracks lot numbers, and uses proper technique. Short-term Botox savings are not worth an uneven smile.
Brand names and how they compare
Patients often ask about Botox vs Dysport, Botox vs Xeomin, or Botox vs Jeuveau. These are all FDA-approved neuromodulators with similar mechanisms. Differences show up in onset speed, spread, and unit equivalency. Dysport may kick in a touch faster for some and can diffuse slightly wider, which can be either a benefit or a drawback in small areas. Xeomin lacks accessory proteins, which some clinicians prefer for repeat use, though clinical differences are subtle. Jeuveau is another solid option with modern manufacturing. In practice, the injector’s familiarity with the product matters more than the logo on the box. If you are sensitive to changes in onset or spread, discuss it during your Botox consultation.
Realistic expectations, and what a natural look means
A well-executed Botox cosmetic plan should produce a natural look. You should still laugh, grin, and show joy. The aim is to turn down the volume on the muscle that overperforms. If your baseline was 5 millimeters of gum display, a typical improvement might be 2 to 4 millimeters at the peak of your smile. Friends will notice you look more relaxed, not “done.” The subtlety is the point.
If you have never tried neuromodulators, we usually start conservatively and adjust at two weeks. First-time Botox expectations should include the possibility of a minor tweak. After that, maintenance is straightforward. Book your next Botox session at about three months, or sooner if you see the gummy area creeping back.
Aftercare that actually makes a difference
Most aftercare is common sense. Skip heavy exercise for the rest of the day. Stay upright for four hours. Avoid rubbing the injection sites and postpone facials or aggressive skincare around the nose and upper lip for 24 hours. Wear a clean mask if you must, but give the area some breathing room. You can apply makeup gently after a couple of hours if the skin looks calm. Ice helps if you are prone to swelling or if you simply prefer the comfort.
Alcohol and blood-thinning supplements can increase the risk of tiny bruises. If you have an event, plan your Botox appointment at least two weeks ahead. That way the treatment has peaked and any temporary marks have cleared.
Special considerations for men and for combined treatments
Gummy smile in men is less common, but when it appears, muscle mass can be greater. Dosing may need a slight bump, though the same conservative approach applies to preserve a natural masculine smile. For patients already treating other areas, like Botox for crow’s feet or frown lines, it is efficient to add gummy smile correction in the same visit. Just remember that simultaneous lip flip, filler, and gummy smile work should be orchestrated to keep speech and hydration comfortable in the first week.
If you are managing TMJ or masseter hypertrophy with Botox jawline injections, that does not typically affect gummy smile dosing. Different muscle groups, different vectors. Still, tell your Botox practitioner everything you are treating so the plan feels cohesive.
What to ask during your consultation
Choosing the right Botox provider is as much about communication as credentials. You want a Botox specialist who welcomes questions and shows you where and why they plan to treat. Training and experience matter. Look for a licensed Botox nurse injector, physician, dentist, or other Botox certified injector with plenty of before-and-after examples of smiles, not just foreheads. Read Botox reviews, but weigh them against real consultation impressions.
Here is a short, practical checklist you can bring to your Botox consultation:
- Where exactly will you inject to address my gummy smile, and how many units do you recommend? What improvement can I expect in millimeters, and how natural will my smile look at full laugh? What are the most likely side effects in this area, and how do you handle touch ups if needed? Do you recommend combining this with a lip flip or filler, or should we stage treatments? How often will I need maintenance, and what does it cost over a year?
Myths, facts, and what the science supports
A few myths persist. One is that Botox for gummy smile will freeze your mouth. It will not when dosed and placed correctly. You can smile and speak, since only a slice of the elevator complex is softened. Another is that results are instant. They are not. Expect a ramp up over a week or two. Some believe Botox creates sagging long term. There is no good evidence of that in the small doses used for gummy smiles. Muscles return to baseline when the product wears off. You might feel normal variability from cycle to cycle, and that is human, not harmful.
On the fact side, the mechanism is clear. By inhibiting acetylcholine release, the muscle contracts less forcefully. The effect is temporary and localized. FDA approval exists for several cosmetic and medical uses of botulinum toxin type A, including glabellar lines and migraines. Gummy smile is an off-label use, which is common in medicine when evidence and experience support it. Responsible practitioners discuss that clearly and document informed consent.
Before and after: what professionals look for
When I compare Botox before and after photos for gummy smile, I look at three frames: a relaxed smile, a full posed smile, and a spontaneous laugh if we captured one. The focus is on the vertical height of gum display, symmetry at the canines, and the curvature of the upper lip. I also check that smile dynamics remain lively. The best results make the teeth and eyes the star again. Call it the “photo smirk test” — if you can grin broadly without reaching for your lips, the treatment did its job.
Planning for the long term
Think of Botox maintenance like dental hygiene. It is periodic, predictable, and easier when scheduled. If you are budget-conscious, ask about Botox membership or a Botox payment plan. Spacing sessions at three to four months keeps results steady and makes your annual cost clear. If a clinic advertises a Groupon-level bargain, do your due diligence on product authenticity and injector training. False economy is expensive in aesthetics.
At some point, you may reassess whether Botox still fits your goals. If you want a permanent change and your anatomy supports it, your provider can refer you to a periodontist or surgeon to discuss gum contouring or skeletal options. Many patients, however, stick with neuromodulators because the balance of effect, safety, and zero downtime suits busy lives.
Small choices that improve results
Two details create outsized gains. The first is timing. Do not schedule your first Botox session in the same week as an event. Give yourself two weeks for the effect to mature, and book a touch up if needed. The second is posture and animation during mapping. Over-smile, then relax, then smile again. Let your injector see your true maximum. Botox techniques depend on that honest map. The day you come in stressed, late, or under-caffeinated, your animation can change. Breathe, take a minute, then smile as you would in a photo with friends.
Where this fits in a broader care plan
Aesthetic Burlington botox medicine works best when it respects health. If your gums are inflamed or your teeth are uneven due to grinding, a dentist should be part of the plan. Treat gingivitis, manage clenching if present, and then address the gummy smile. If you have dry lips, hydrate and consider gentle lip care so the added show of the upper lip — now less lifted — looks its best. Botox for fine lines can complement gummy smile work by softening nasolabial movement, but it is optional. The heart of this treatment is balance, not overcorrection.
Final guidance if you are on the fence
If your gummy smile keeps you from laughing freely, book a consultation. A good Botox provider will evaluate your smile, discuss alternatives, and set measured expectations. In many cases, two to four pinpricks per side and a few days of patience are all that stand between you and a more confident smile. That simplicity is the appeal. You are not committing to surgery, you are not losing yourself, and if you decide it is not for you after a cycle or two, you can stop and return to baseline.
For a procedure measured in units and millimeters, the effect on presence can be surprisingly large. I have watched patients lift their heads higher in the hallway after their two-week review. That is the real result. The science explains it, but the confidence sells it. If you choose to try it, choose a thoughtful Botox practitioner, ask direct questions, and plan your timing. Smiles are personal. Your treatment should be, too.