If your gummy smile is caused by an upper lip that lifts high when you smile, a small dose of botulinum toxin can relax the lip-lifting muscles so the lip sits lower. At Trust Dental this is $150 before GST, by Dr Celeste Ng. It's temporary and results vary. If the cause is extra gum over short-looking teeth or tooth and jaw position, other treatments fit better.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
| Cause | What it looks like | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| Hyperactive upper lip | Teeth normal length, lip lifts high when smiling | Botulinum toxin injection |
| 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. Dr Celeste Ng checks your teeth, gums and lip movement before recommending anything.
How the 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, so it's repeated if you like the result.
Gummy smile treatment at Trust Dental: $150 before GST ($163.50 with GST). By Dr Celeste Ng, accredited by the Singapore Dental Council for botulinum toxin injection.
See botulinum toxin injection at Trust DentalPossible Side Effects
- 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
Combining with Other Smile Treatments
Some patients pair a gummy smile treatment with whitening or bonding for an overall brighter smile. See smile makeover and teeth whitening. If crooked or forward teeth are part of the cause, see braces and Invisalign.
