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Blanche Dental Clinic
Gummy Smile Treatment

Gummy smile treatment: find the cause first, then choose

A gummy smile — showing a lot of gum when you smile — has different causes in different people. We first check whether it comes from the muscles that lift the lip, gums covering the teeth, or tooth position, and then recommend the treatment that fits.

  • Treatments compared by cause
  • Botox · vestibuloplasty · gum contouring
  • Planned with veneers and orthodontics
  • Orthodontic specialists on the team
Consult with a smile photo Call +82-1877-2882
Self-check

Do I have a gummy smile? Check in front of a mirror

Smile widely in front of a mirror. If your upper lip rises past the top of your teeth and shows a wide band of gum, you may have a gummy smile. If two or three of the points below apply to you, it's worth checking the cause.

It is also called excessive gingival display.

  • When I smile widely, my upper gums show like a band
  • In photos, I smile with my mouth closed or cover it with my hand
  • My front teeth look short and square, as if the gums are covering them
  • My upper lip curls up unusually high when I smile
  • My front teeth stick out, and I have to strain to close my lips
  • The amount of gum showing differs between left and right
What a gummy smile is

A gummy smile means a lot of gum shows when you smile

A gummy smile is less a disease than a matter of how your smile looks. A smile is shaped by the lips, gums, teeth and jawbone together. So even if the amount of gum showing looks the same, gummy smile treatment differs depending on where it comes from.

  1. Real Blanche gummy smile case: the upper lip rises when smiling, showing a band of gum above the front teeth

    When the lip rises a lot

    The muscles that lift the upper lip are strong or the lip moves a lot, so the lip rises above the gums when you smile.

  2. Real Blanche gum contouring case before treatment: intraoral photo where a low gumline makes the front teeth look short and square

    When the gums cover the teeth

    The gums sit low on the teeth, so the teeth look short and more gum shows.

  3. Effect of tooth and jaw position

    If the front teeth stick out or the upper jaw has grown long downward, the relationship between lips and gums changes and more gum shows.

Often two or three causes overlap in one person. So we don't settle on a single treatment; we look at your smile and the inside of your mouth together and first work out what contributes, and by how much.

Treatment by cause

5 causes of a gummy smile and how they're treated

Below is the general direction we consider. Actual treatment is decided based on examination results and how much change you want.

Causes and treatments
CauseSuspected whenTreatment considered first
① The muscles that lift the upper lip move a lotTooth length is normal, but the lip rises high only when smilingGummy smile Botox to reduce muscle movement
② The upper lip is short or moves a lotThe lip lifts a long way, and Botox effects feel short-livedVestibuloplasty to reduce how far the lip rises
③ The gums cover much of the teethFront teeth look short and square, and gums look wide even when not smilingGum contouring to reshape the gumline and correct tooth length proportions
④ The front teeth stick outProtruding front teeth push the lip up, and closing the lips is uncomfortableOrthodontics depending on the degree of protrusion, or veneers to adjust shape in mild cases
⑤ The upper jaw has grown long downward (skeletal)The lower face is long, and the chin muscles strain when closing the lipsDental treatment alone may have limits, so an orthodontic specialist usually sees you, with referral to a hospital for jaw surgery if needed

If the skeletal problem is significant, treating only the gums or lip may not change things as much as you expect. On the other hand, if a little gum reshaping is all you need, there's no reason for major treatment. That's why we identify the cause first.

Comparing treatments

Botox, vestibuloplasty, gum contouring: how do they differ?

The three treatments change different things. Botox works on the muscle, vestibuloplasty on the lip, and gum contouring on the gums.

Treatments compared
Gummy smile BotoxVestibuloplastyGum contouring
How it worksInjected into the muscles that lift the upper lip to reduce movementSurgery that trims part of the mucosa inside the upper lip so the lip rises lessReshapes gums covering the teeth with a laser. Irreversible bone height adjustment is avoided whenever possible
RecoveryBack to daily life right after the injection; effects start after 3 weeksSurgery takes about 30 minutes; stitches out after 2 weeks. Swelling, tightness and temporary changes in sensation may last a whileSwelling and sensitivity may occur while the gums heal
How long it lasts4–6 months (varies by person), then repeat treatment is neededTends to last longer than Botox, but may partly relapse over timeThe reshaped gumline tends to hold, but may change depending on gum care
Reversible?Your smile returns to how it was as the effect wears offAs surgery, it is hard to reverse as you'd likeReshaped gums are hard to rebuild
Best-suited cause①② (sometimes with ①)③

  • What gummy smile treatment can do

    • Less gum shows when you smile, so smiling without covering your mouth may feel easier
    • If your teeth looked short, tooth length proportions may look more natural
    • You can try a less demanding option like Botox first to see the change

  • Trade-offs and limits

    • Botox wears off over time and needs to be repeated
    • Surgery has a recovery period with swelling, tightness or sensitivity, and is hard to reverse
    • If the cause is largely skeletal, dental treatment alone may have limits in how much it changes
Each treatment in detail

Learn more about the gummy smile treatment that fits your cause

We've set out separately when each treatment fits, and what the procedure and recovery are like.

  • When muscle is the cause

    Gummy Smile Botox

    Injections reduce the movement of the muscles that lift the upper lip. Often considered by people who want to see a change without surgery first.

    Learn more →
  • When the lip is the cause

    Vestibuloplasty (Lip Repositioning)

    Surgery that trims the inside of the upper lip so it rises less when you smile. Considered by people who find repeated Botox a burden.

    Learn more →
  • When the gums are the cause

    Gum Contouring (Gingivoplasty)

    Gums covering the teeth are reshaped with a laser to reveal the full length of front teeth that looked short. Veneers can follow right after.

    Learn more →
Combined planning

When we plan together with veneers or orthodontics

Many people with a gummy smile are also concerned about the shape or position of their teeth. In that case, order matters. Reshaping the gumline before veneers lets us set natural tooth length and width proportions from the start. Veneers can follow right after gum contouring, even on the same day with the one-day option. If the front teeth stick out a lot, we first move them with orthodontics, then re-evaluate how much gum still shows.

At Blanche, gums, lips and teeth are assessed together in one place, working with orthodontic specialists. This reduces the sequencing problems that can arise when treatments are done separately at different clinics.

  • Combinations we consider

    Reshape the gumline of short-looking front teeth with a laser, then refine shape and color with veneers right after (one-day possible) Move protruding front teeth back with orthodontics, then see whether the remaining gum display needs further treatment When a muscle cause and tooth shape concerns coexist, plan the two separately

For veneers, see Blanche no-prep veneers; for orthodontics, see Invisalign and orthodontics.

Consultation process

How a gummy smile consultation works

We don't decide on treatment from the outset. We work out the cause, explain the possible options and their limits, and help you choose.

  1. 01

    Photo consultation

    Send a front-facing photo of your full smile via WhatsApp, and a dentist will review it first.

  2. 02

    Finding the cause

    At your visit, we check your smile, lip movement, gum height, and tooth length and position.

  3. 03

    Comparing options

    We explain which treatments fit and which don't, and the differences in recovery and longevity.

  4. 04

    Plan & treatment

    Only what's needed — Botox, surgery, orthodontics or veneers — is done, in a set order.

  5. 05

    Follow-up

    After treatment we check your smile again and discuss next steps if needed.

Gummy smile Botox, vestibuloplasty and gum contouring are performed by all Blanche dentists. We go over everything at least four times. We don't rely on one person's judgment, and you're welcome to decide at home.

Cost

Gummy smile treatment cost

The treatment needed depends on the cause. When several treatments are combined, we give you the total cost first, after the examination.

Costs by treatment
TreatmentCost
Gummy smile BotoxKRW 200,000 (≈ USD 145; 8 units, same price for repeat treatment)
VestibuloplastyKRW 1,000,000 (≈ USD 735; about 30 minutes, stitches out after 2 weeks)
Gum contouringKRW 100,000 (≈ USD 75) per tooth (laser)
IV sedation (conscious sedation)Additional KRW 400,000 (≈ USD 295) per session (optional for vestibuloplasty)
  • Botox, vestibuloplasty and gum contouring prices are VAT excluded. USD amounts are approximate, based on USD 1 = KRW 1,359.
  • Gum contouring reshapes only the gums with a laser. Adjusting the bone height beneath the gums is irreversible, so we avoid it whenever possible.
  • Veneers can follow right after gum contouring (one-day possible); see Veneer prices for veneer costs.
  • All our fees are in the full price list.
Real cases

Real Blanche gummy smile treatment cases

Botox, vestibuloplasty and gum contouring cases. Drag the photo left and right to compare before and after.

Real Blanche gummy smile Botox case before treatment: wide upper gums showing when smiling
Real Blanche gummy smile Botox case after treatment: less upper gum showing when smiling
BeforeAfter
Real Blanche gummy smile Botox caseBotox injected into the muscles that lift the upper lip
Real Blanche vestibuloplasty case 2 before treatment: wide upper gums showing when smiling
Real Blanche vestibuloplasty case 2 after treatment: the upper lip sits lower and less gum shows
BeforeAfter
Real Blanche vestibuloplasty case 2Vestibuloplasty
Real Blanche gum contouring case 3 before treatment: gums covering the teeth make them look short
Real Blanche gum contouring case 3 after treatment: right after the gumline was reshaped with a laser
BeforeAfter
Real Blanche gum contouring case 3Gum contouring · right after treatment

These are real Blanche Dental cases published with the patients' consent. Recovery time and how long results last differ by treatment; when Botox takes effect and how long it lasts vary by person, and the effect wears off over time. Swelling, bruising or pain at the injection site, or an asymmetric or awkward smile, may occur. After surgical treatment, swelling, pain, sensitivity or temporary changes in sensation may occur.

Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist at Blanche Dental
We diagnose the cause first

A clinic that looks at gums, lips and teeth together

A gummy smile doesn't have just one cause. Blanche looks at gum height, upper lip movement, and tooth length and position together, and recommends only the treatment you need. Veneers and orthodontics can be planned in the same place, too.

  • Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist · Seoul National University School of Dentistry and Graduate School of Dentistry, M.S.D., Seoul National University
  • Clinical training at Columbia and UCLA dental hospitals, USA
  • Six dentists averaging 15+ years of experience · working with orthodontic specialists
Learn about Blanche no-prep veneers →
FAQ

Gummy smile treatment: common questions

What treatments are there for a gummy smile?
It depends on the cause. If muscle is the cause, we consider Botox; if the lip moves a lot, vestibuloplasty; if gums cover the teeth, gum contouring. If protruding front teeth are the cause, orthodontics or veneers; if the upper jaw skeleton is the cause, we assess with an orthodontic specialist whether jaw surgery is needed.
What causes a gummy smile?
It can occur when the muscles that lift the upper lip move a lot, the upper lip is short or moves a lot, the gums cover much of the teeth, the front teeth stick out, or the upper jaw has grown long downward. Often two or three of these overlap.
How can I tell what my cause is?
It can be hard to tell from your smile alone. We check lip position when smiling and at rest, how much the gums cover the teeth, and tooth length and position together. Send us a front-facing photo of your full smile via WhatsApp first, and we'll give you a rough direction.
What does "gummy smile orthodontics" mean?
The term is sometimes used broadly for any treatment that corrects a gummy smile, and sometimes for moving the front teeth with braces. Orthodontics can help when protruding front teeth make more gum show, but not every gummy smile can be fixed with orthodontics.
Should I try Botox or surgery first?
If muscle is the main cause, you can first see the change with Botox, which is less demanding. If the cause is something Botox is unlikely to change — such as gums covering the teeth — we consider gum contouring from the start.
How long does gummy smile Botox last?
Effects appear after 3 weeks and last 4–6 months. It varies with muscle strength and lifestyle, so we decide whether to repeat it based on how it goes.
How do vestibuloplasty and gum contouring differ?
Vestibuloplasty trims the inside of the upper lip so the lip rises less; gum contouring reshapes gums covering the teeth to reveal more tooth. The difference is whether the lip or the gums are changed.
Will gum contouring make my front teeth look longer?
If gums covering the teeth made them look short, reshaping the gumline can reveal their original length. If the teeth themselves are short, we consider adjusting length and shape with veneers as well.
Can a gummy smile come back after treatment?
Botox wears off over time and your smile returns to how it was. Vestibuloplasty may also partly relapse over time. With gum contouring, the reshaped line tends to hold but can change depending on gum care, so we recommend regular check-ups.
Can a skeletal gummy smile be treated at a dental clinic?
For a skeletal gummy smile, where the upper jaw has grown long downward, Botox or gum treatment alone may have limits in how much it changes. At Blanche, an orthodontic specialist usually sees you, and if surgery is needed, we refer you to a hospital for jaw surgery.
I'm planning veneers. Can my gummy smile be treated at the same time?
Yes. Reshaping the gumline before veneers lets us set the tooth proportions from the start. Veneers can follow right after gum contouring, even on the same day with the one-day option.
Can orthodontics improve a gummy smile?
If protruding front teeth were lifting the lip, moving them with orthodontics may reduce how much gum shows. Any gum display remaining after orthodontics is re-evaluated to see if further treatment is needed.
How much does gummy smile treatment cost?
Gummy smile Botox is KRW 200,000 (≈ USD 145; 8 units, KRW 200,000 for repeat treatment too), vestibuloplasty KRW 1,000,000 (≈ USD 735), and gum contouring KRW 100,000 (≈ USD 75) per tooth (all VAT excluded). Vestibuloplasty under sedation adds KRW 400,000 (≈ USD 295) per session. When several treatments are combined, we explain the total cost first.
Is there swelling or pain after treatment?
With Botox, the injection site may swell or bruise briefly. After vestibuloplasty and gum contouring, swelling, tightness, sensitivity or temporary changes in sensation may occur for a while, and the degree and duration vary by person.
The amount of gum showing is different on the left and right.
It may be due to differences in muscle strength, gum height or tooth position between the two sides. We find out where it comes from, then plan each side separately.
I live abroad. Can I get a consultation?
Yes. Send a front-facing photo of your full smile via WhatsApp, and a dentist will review it first. Consultations are available in English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Russian, and the final plan is set after an in-person examination.

Reviewed by Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist (Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry, M.S.D.) · Last updated

Location

Blanche Dental Clinic, Nonhyeon Station, Gangnam

A 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Nonhyeon Station, on Gangnam-daero.

Subway

30-second walk from Exit 4, Nonhyeon Station (Line 7, Shinbundang Line)

Address

7F, 531 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong)

Hours

Mon, Thu, Fri 10:30–19:00Tue, Wed 10:30–21:00 (late hours)Sat 10:00–14:00 · Sun every other week
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7F, 531 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Banpo-dong)

30-second walk from Exit 4, Nonhyeon Station (Line 7, Shinbundang Line)

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Find out why your gums show with just one photo

Send a front-facing photo of your full smile via WhatsApp. A dentist will personally review whether it comes from muscle, lip, gums or teeth, and get back to you.

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