A gummy smile can come from an upper lip that lifts high, extra gum over short-looking teeth, tooth or jaw position, or swollen gums. Each cause has a different treatment. When an overactive upper lip is the cause, a small botulinum toxin injection may relax the lip-lifting muscles; it's temporary and results vary. Your dentist checks your teeth, gums and lip movement at a consultation before recommending anything.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
| Cause | What it looks like | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| Overactive upper lip | Teeth normal length, lip lifts high when smiling | Botulinum toxin injection to the lip muscles |
| Excess gum tissue | Teeth look short, gum covers part of the tooth | Gum reshaping (crown lengthening) |
| Tooth or jaw position | Upper teeth sit low or forward | Orthodontics; sometimes jaw surgery |
| Swollen gums | Puffy, bleeding gums | Treat gum inflammation first (see bleeding gums) |
Often it's a mix. Your dentist checks your teeth, gums and lip movement before recommending anything.
How the Lip Injection Works
A few small injections near the sides of the nose relax the muscles that pull the upper lip up. When you smile, the lip lifts less, so less gum shows. The effect builds over about two weeks and wears off gradually, typically over a few months, and can be repeated.
Consultation first. Your dentist checks tooth length, gum height, lip movement and tooth position, then explains which option suits the cause. Injections are carried out only by Dr Celeste Ng or Dr Celeste Ling, both accredited by the Singapore Dental Council. There are no packages: whether treatment suits you, the dose and the fee are discussed at your consultation.
Grinding, clenching & gummy smile carePossible Side Effects of the Injection
- A temporarily uneven smile, or the lip feeling a little stiff
- Tenderness or a small bruise at the injection site
- Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with neuromuscular conditions, infection at the site, or a previous allergy to botulinum toxin
When Other Treatment Fits Better
If gum tissue covers part of the teeth, gum reshaping can show more of each tooth. If tooth position is part of the cause, see braces and Invisalign. Swollen or bleeding gums are treated first; see bleeding gums.
