A Gummy Smile is when more gum is revealed when smiling than is desired. Technically known as excessive gingival display, it can draw attention away from the teeth towards the gums, making some individuals feel that their smile is unbalanced. Treatment first involves determining the cause, which can stem from the lip structure, the amount of gum tissue or muscle movement.
Gummy Smile Presentations
While a Gummy Smile is not a medical problem, it can present in ways that some individuals would like addressed, such as:
- Displaying an excessive amount of gum when smiling
- The upper lip lifting very high when smiling or making facial expressions
- The upper lip rolling inwards or appearing very thin when smiling
- A lack of balance between the lips, teeth and gums
What Causes A Gummy Smile?
Before we can treat a Gummy Smile, we must know the cause. Often, a combination of factors is contributing, which is why a thorough assessment is required first. Your Gummy Smile may be due to issues such as:
- Short upper lip: There is a short distance between their nose and upper lip, naturally resulting in less gum coverage.
- Excess gum tissue: A larger-than-usual amount of gum tissue is covering the teeth.
- Skeletal factors: The jawbone or facial structure may cause more gum to show.
- Smile dynamics: This includes lip movement patterns and muscle coordination.
- Overactive upper lip muscles: Excessive muscle contraction can cause the lip to lift higher than usual.
- Hypermobile upper lip: Some lips move more easily than others, revealing more gum.
Options For Treating A Gummy Smile
Once we have determined the causes of your Gummy Smile, we can commence treatment, which may involve one or more of the following options.
Muscle-Relaxant Treatment: By relaxing the muscles that lift the upper lip, the lip stays lower when smiling, reducing the amount of gum revealed. One of the more popular treatments for a Gummy Smile, it involves carefully targeting specific points of the muscle, based on your smile pattern and muscle movement.
Volumising Treatment: Some individuals don’t have requests related to muscle movement. Instead, they may have requests regarding the upper lip rolling inward or sitting high when smiling. To address these issues and increase gum coverage, we can support the upper lip with a Volumising Treatment.
At Bella Plastic Surgery, we use the Kiss Me Lip Augmentation Technique, which involves placing product on the inner side of the upper lip to support the lip from within. This technique can help reduce the amount that the lip curls under when smiling. It can also add a touch of volume and extend the upper lip arches to address balance in the smile.
Combining Muscle Relaxant & Volumising Treatment: Some individuals may choose both the above treatments. By relaxing the upper lip muscles, we can help reduce the amount that the lip lifts when smiling, and by adding a volumiser, we can help support the lip, altering the way it sits during movement.
Gummy Smile Treatment Cost
All Gummy Smile treatments are tailored to the individual. To determine the cost, patients first need an individual consultation to determine which treatments are required. During this time, a treatment plan will be created and all costs presented.
Treatment Longevity
How long the results last depends on the type of treatment required and whether you need one or more types of treatment. Your anatomy, the amount of muscle movement and your treatment plan all influence the longevity of the results.
Comfort
Most people tolerate Gummy Smile treatments well. However, if required, we can apply a topical anaesthetic to the area beforehand to make the treatment more comfortable. We ask all patients who prefer this option to let the treating cosmetic nurse know as soon as they arrive.
Downtime
The need for downtime will depend on the type of treatment you have and how your body responds to it. Some individuals can return to their everyday activities shortly after treatment, while others may need a little downtime to cope with swelling or bruising.
After-Care Instructions
Aftercare instructions are discussed with patients during their initial consultation. They will also receive written instructions at the end of their treatment. The type of aftercare required will depend on the treatment/s you receive.
Potential Risks & Complications
All cosmetic procedures involve potential risks, and these should not be underestimated. Common and expected side effects can include redness, bruising, swelling, tenderness and temporary firmness at the treatment area.
Because the procedure involves penetrating the skin, there is also a risk of infection. A medical professional should assess symptoms such as increasing warmth, swelling, redness or pain. Although uncommon, vascular compromise can occur if the product enters or compresses a blood vessel, reducing blood flow to the surrounding tissue. Early recognition and prompt treatment are essential in these situations.
Rare complications may include changes in facial movement, altered sensation or neurological conditions such as Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Extremely rare but serious complications can include visual disturbance or blindness.
All potential risks and complications are thoroughly discussed during your consultation with both the cosmetic nurse and the prescribing doctor before treatment.
For more detailed information, please refer to the Possible Risks and Complications page.
