Gummy Smile

A gummy smile is generally defined as more than 2–3 millimetres of visible gum when smiling. It can be:

• Mild (2–4 mm visible)
• Moderate (4–6 mm visible)
• Severe (more than 6 mm visible)

The visible gum may be symmetrical or uneven and may be present at rest or only during animation. Correct diagnosis requires looking at the lips, teeth, gums, muscle action and jaw relationship together.

A gummy smile can come from one, or a combination, of the following factors:

1. Overactive Upper Lip Muscles

Some people naturally use strong muscles when smiling, especially the levator muscles that lift the upper lip.

• When these muscles pull the lip too far upwards, more gum becomes visible.
• This is one of the most common and most easily treatable causes.

2. A Naturally Short Upper Lip

If the upper lip is shorter in length, it may not fully cover the upper gum line when smiling.

• This is usually genetic
• Volume-enhancing treatments can help improve coverage and balance.

3. Excess Gum Tissue (“Gingival Overgrowth”)

Sometimes the gums simply extend lower down onto the teeth.

• This can be genetic
• Can also relate to orthodontics, inflammation, or gum shape.

4. Teeth That Haven’t Fully Erupted (“Delayed Tooth Eruption”)

Some adults have teeth that appear shorter because they’re partially covered by gum tissue.

• Makes the gums look more prominent
• Dental treatments may be needed in this case.

5. A High or Protruding Upper Jaw

If the upper jaw sits slightly forward or lower, the gums become more visible when smiling.

• Known as vertical maxillary excess, but in simple terms, it means the jaw shape naturally shows more gum.
• Mild cases respond well to injectables; more severe cases may require dental or surgical assessment.

A gummy smile is mostly driven by anatomy and genetics, so prevention is limited. However, you can help reduce progression or maintain improvement by:

• Avoiding habits that over-engage smile muscles, such as extremely wide “forced smiles” for photos
• Supporting good dental health, which prevents gum inflammation that can exaggerate gum visibility
• Maintaining balanced lip volume through hydration and gentle lip care
• Regular reviews after treatment (Botox® or fillers) to maintain symmetry and muscle balance

While you can’t fully “prevent” a gummy smile, you can absolutely manage and aestheticise it beautifully with the right approach.

This is where most patients see powerful, natural-looking improvements, with no downtime and no surgery. Below are the most effective options.

1. Botox® for Gummy Smile

Botox® is one of the most popular and effective non-surgical treatments for a gummy smile, especially when strong upper-lip muscles are the cause.

How it works (in simple terms)

Tiny doses of Botox® are injected into the muscles that lift the top lip.

• These muscles relax just enough to stop the lip from rising excessively
• The upper lip still moves naturally—but stays in a more flattering position
• Gums appear less visible when smiling, without any “frozen” effect

What to expect

• Results appear within 3–7 days
• Improvements look natural, not exaggerated
• Lasts around 3–4 months
• Treatment takes only a few minutes

Best for:

• Overactive smile muscles
• Patients wanting a quick, low-maintenance treatment
• Those avoiding filler or surgery

Main benefit: Relaxes overactive lip-lifting muscles

2. Lip Filler for Gummy Smile

When thin lips or a short upper lip contribute to gum display, lip filler can help restore balance.

How it helps

• Adds gentle volume to create a softer, fuller upper lip
• Increases the lip’s ability to cover more of the gum line
• Improves the ratio between lip height and gum visibility
• Enhances the overall architecture of the smile

The aesthetic goal

Not overly “big” lips, but proportion, shape, and balance that look like the patient’s natural lips, just better supported.

Best for:

• Thin upper lips
• Short upper lip anatomy
• Gummy smiles that require structural enhancement rather than muscle relaxation

Main benefit: (Adds shape, structure, and coverage to the upper lip)

3. Combined Approach: Botox® + Lip Filler

Often the most transformative results come when both treatments are used together.

This combination:

• Reduces excessive upward lift
• Adds supportive volume to help cover the gums
• Creates a more sculpted Cupid’s bow
• Enhances overall lower-face harmony

Many patients find this achieves the most natural yet powerful improvement without surgery.

For patients whose gummy smile is caused by jaw positioning, excess gum tissue, or tooth eruption patterns, specialists may recommend:

Gum Contouring / Crown Lengthening

• Removes small amounts of excess gum
• Makes teeth appear longer
• Performed by a dentist or periodontist

Orthodontic Treatment

• Used when tooth position contributes to gum display
• Aligns teeth and can subtly improve the smile line

Lip Repositioning Surgery

• Reduces how far the upper lip can rise
• Considered for patients wanting a permanent alternative

Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery

• Reserved for severe skeletal causes
• Reshapes the upper jaw position
• Not needed for the vast majority of patients

You should consider a professional assessment if:

• You feel self-conscious about your smile
• You’re unsure whether Botox®, filler, or another option is right for you
• You suspect your gums or teeth contribute to the issue
• You want a natural, balanced result rather than trial-and-error treatments
• You’ve had previous treatment but didn’t love the outcome

At Dr Hass Clinic, we analyse lip anatomy, muscle activity, gum display, and facial proportions to determine the safest, most effective plan, whether that’s Botox®, lip filler, or a combination.

• A gummy smile is usually caused by strong lip muscles, thin lips, excess gum tissue, or jaw anatomy
• Botox® reduces excessive lip lifting
• Lip filler improves shape and helps cover more gum
• The combined approach often creates the most natural result
• Surgery is reserved for significant dental or jaw-related causes
• A tailored assessment ensures the right treatment for your unique anatomy

A gummy smile is extremely common, highly treatable, and often corrected with quick, subtle non-surgical techniques. By understanding the cause, whether it’s muscle activity, lip shape, gum height, or tooth position, you can choose the treatment that offers the most natural, confidence-boosting result.

With the right approach, your smile can look beautifully balanced, expressive, and entirely “you”, just without the excess gum show.