Botox for Gummy Smile
When more than three to four millimeters of gum shows above your upper teeth, one common cause is an overactive upper lip muscle rather than anything about your teeth. A few precise units of Botox gently quiet that muscle so your lip does not lift as high, and your smile shows teeth, not gums. Ten to fifteen minutes, no surgery, no downtime.
How Botox fixesa gummy smile
A gummy smile has several possible causes: genetics and facial anatomy, the way the teeth erupted, a short upper lip, excess gum tissue, or hyperactive muscles that pull the upper lip too high when you smile.
For that last group, the fix is elegantly simple. Botox is injected into the elevator muscles of the upper lip, particularly the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, typically just two to four units per side. The muscle still works; it simply stops overshooting, so the lip does not lift as high when you smile and less gum tissue shows.
The result is a more proportionate smile, a smoother and more relaxed upper lip, and better facial balance, without the downtime, cost and recovery that gum surgery involves. Because it is temporary and adjustable, the effect can be fine-tuned at each visit. Many patients treat their forehead lines, crow's feet, or frown lines in the same appointment.
Who is this treatment for?
For anyone who holds back their smile because of how much gum it shows.
Botox corrects gummy smiles caused by muscle overactivity. When the cause is dental or skeletal, tooth structure or jaw position, we say so honestly and refer you to a dental professional or oral surgeon instead.
Your smile shows excess gum
More than three to four millimeters of gum tissue above the upper teeth is the usual threshold.
The cause is a hyperactive lip
When the upper lip lifts too high on smiling, Botox addresses the mechanism directly.
You want a non-surgical fix
A quick injectable visit instead of gingivectomy or jaw surgery, at a lower cost.
You are in good general health
With realistic expectations for a subtle, natural-looking change. All genders welcome.
You like the idea of adjustable
The effect wears off in a few months, so the dose can be tuned, or simply not repeated.
Where theinjections go
Treatment is focused on the small elevator muscles beside the nose that raise the upper lip, and it pairs naturally with the classic Botox areas in the same visit.
Select an area on the figure to see what happens there.
What to expect during treatment
Every treatment begins with a consultation. We evaluate your smile dynamics, muscle movement and facial proportions to confirm that Botox is the right treatment for your gummy smile, then determine the injection sites and the dosage that will give a natural result.
A small amount of Botox is injected into the muscles that lift the upper lip, particularly the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi. Reducing that muscle activity stops the lip lifting excessively high when you smile, which is what minimizes the gum tissue on show. The procedure typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Most patients report a quick pinch or light pressure. We use fine needles and can offer numbing cream for added comfort.
None. You can return to your regular routine immediately after treatment.
You will start seeing improvement in about 3 to 5 days, with full results within 10 to 14 days. Typically 2 to 4 units are used per side, though the exact amount varies with your muscle strength and anatomy.
Results last 3 to 4 months. As the Botox wears off, muscle activity gradually returns to normal, and maintenance treatments every 3 to 4 months keep the result. Many patients find the flexibility and reversibility of Botox is part of the appeal.
Where it fits against surgery, and what pairs with it
Surgical options such as gingivectomy or orthognathic surgery are effective for certain cases of gummy smile, but they come with significant downtime, cost and recovery. Botox is a non-invasive, no-downtime, lower cost alternative whose result is temporary and can be adjusted. If you are not ready for surgery, or do not need it, it is a sensible first step.
It is not the answer for a gummy smile caused by dental or skeletal abnormalities. In those cases we refer you to a dental professional or an oral surgeon rather than treating around the problem.
Lip fillers. Enhance lip volume and symmetry.
Cheek fillers. Lift and balance midface proportions.
Chin enhancement. Improves the lower facial contour.
Laser skin treatments. Rejuvenate skin texture and tone.
Whatto expect.
Book a consultationPricing depends on the units used, typically two to four per side, so your quote is personalized at consultation. A lower cost option than surgical correction.
A quick pinch at most; numbing cream is available if you want it.
Straight back to work or your day. Slight redness, swelling, or a small bruise at the injection points resolves within a day or two.
A subtle change appears in three to five days, with the full result at around two weeks. Maintenance every three to four months keeps it; effects may last longer with consistent treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How much Botox is used for a gummy smile?
Typically two to four units per side, injected into the elevator muscles of the upper lip.
Will my smile look stiff or unnatural?
No. The treatment softens how high the lip lifts without affecting your expression. You smile exactly as before, just with less gum showing.
Does it hurt?
Most patients describe a small pinch. The needles are very fine and numbing cream is available.
How quickly will I see results?
A subtle change appears within three to five days, and the full effect settles in at about two weeks.
How long do results last?
Around three to four months. With consistent maintenance treatments, some patients find the effect lasts longer over time.
Can Botox completely fix a gummy smile?
When the cause is a hyperactive upper lip, Botox can significantly reduce how much gum shows. When jaw or tooth structure is the driver, Botox alone may not be enough, and we refer those cases to a dental professional or oral surgeon.
Is it safe?
Yes. Botox is FDA-approved, and side effects from this treatment are rare and mild: slight redness, swelling, or bruising that resolves within a day or two.
Will my lips feel different?
You may notice a slight change in how the upper lip moves when you smile, but most patients report no significant change in lip sensation or function.
Can I go back to work afterward?
Yes, immediately. There is no downtime.
Can men get this treatment?
Yes. Gummy smiles affect people of all genders, and we build a tailored treatment plan either way.
Is it permanent?
No. The effect wears off gradually over a few months, which also makes it adjustable, an advantage over surgical correction.
Can I treat other areas at the same time?
Yes. Forehead lines, crow's feet, and frown lines are commonly treated in the same visit.
Ask about injectables.
Tell us what you would like to soften or restore. We will come back with which product fits, how long it lasts, and what to expect at your first visit.
Your details go straight to our Montgomery Road front desk and are never shared. A team member replies during office hours, usually the same day.
Ready when you are.
Book a consultation at our Montgomery Road office, or call and we will help you decide where to start.
Medically reviewed by Shalini Gupta, MD, Harvard-trained dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center. Last reviewed September 2026. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.