Laugh with confidence: a gentle muscle-relaxing treatment reduces the upward pull of the upper lip, bringing your smile into beautiful balance and giving your face a relaxed, self-assured expression.
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A gummy smile is characterized by a large portion of the upper gums becoming visible when smiling. This is usually due to overactive muscles that pull the upper lip up. Although this is not a medical problem, it can make you feel less free to smile or perceive your smile as too conspicuous.
With a subtle muscle-relaxing treatment, these muscles can be temporarily calmed. As a result, the upper lip moves up slightly less when smiling, making the gums less visible. The treatment is targeted and precise, so your smile remains natural and your facial expression unchanged.
The treatment is quick, virtually painless and does not require surgery. There is almost no downtime, so you can resume your daily activities immediately. Both mild and more pronounced gummy smiles can be effectively treated, depending on your individual situation.
Your smile then looks more relaxed and better proportioned to your face. By working with a personalized treatment plan and choosing experienced doctors, a subtle and natural end result is achieved that suits your expression.
The treatment begins with a short consultation where the doctor analyzes your smile and muscle activity. Then, using a fine needle, a small amount of muscle relaxant is injected into the muscle responsible for lifting the upper lip. The treatment is quick, precise and virtually painless. Afterwards, you can immediately continue your day.
This treatment is suitable for adults who:
We never treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding. People with muscle or nerve disorders are advised to seek medical advice first.
After the treatment, there is almost no downtime. You can immediately work or engage in social activities. Small puncture marks or slight redness usually disappear within a few hours and always within 24 hours.
The result of the gummy smile treatment remains visible for an average of 3 to 4 months. After that, muscle activity gradually returns and a maintenance treatment may be desired to maintain the effect.
No two gummy smiles are identical, so treatment at our Ghent clinic always starts with a personal consultation. Dr. Thierry De Smedt carefully examines your smile, identifies what causes excessive gum exposure, and listens to your goals. Botox is only an option when an overactive muscle is the culprit.
To reduce bruising, stop blood-thinning medication 7 days beforehand (after GP approval). Arrive with a clean, makeup-free face.
A very fine needle delivers a minimal dose of botulinum toxin into the muscle that lifts the upper lip too much. Typically, 2-4 injection points per side achieve the desired softening. Dr T.’s precision preserves your natural expressions while gently softening your smile. The entire session takes under ten minutes.
You’ll notice the first changes within a few hours to 3 days, with the full effect visible around 14 days. The smile alters subtly: gums appear to recede, yet no one will guess you had a treatment. The result generally lasts 3-4 months, after which a repeat session is possible. Because the muscle’s activity gradually diminishes, regular follow-ups can extend the interval.
Any mild redness or tiny bumps fade by themselves within half an hour. Thanks to the precision of a surgeon’s hand, serious side effects are exceptionally rare.
Not a standard gummy smile
A gummy smile can have several causes. Dr T. thoroughly examines your anatomy to choose the right approach. Botox only works for a muscle-mediated cause. These are the most common types:
The upper lip muscle contracts too strongly, causing the gum to become visible. Botox relaxes this muscle selectively and gives your smile an elegant balance.
Sometimes the gum tissue is naturally too abundant. For this, Dr T., drawing on his surgical network, refers you to a periodontist for a minor correction.
Practical information
When the lip is too short or the upper jaw is too prominent, Botox offers little relief. We will then put you in touch with specialized maxillofacial surgeons for a lip lift or orthognathic solution.
