A gummy smile is when one smiles, the lip rests high on the gums. Usually we expect to see only the pink-ish (gingiva) little “triangles” between the teeth to show in a smile.

While every genuine and authentic smile can be endearing, we strive to help our patients have the smile they self-diagnose is the most appealing. A typical or “ideal” smile exposes generally no more than 2 millimeters of upper gum tissues, whereas a “gummy” smile may show 3 millimeters or more of upper gum tissues.

People with a “gummy” smile may feel their teeth are smaller than normal, may be reluctant to smile, or even self-conscious about their smile. However, a “gummy” smile can be improved through Botox treatment.

Botox works by relaxing the muscle that controls the upper lip, which helps to reduce the amount of gum that is visible when a person smiles. The treatment works by temporarily relaxing the muscle, which helps to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile and create a more natural-looking smile.