Gummy smile Botox:
first, check whether it fits you
If your lip rises high and shows your gums when you smile, gummy smile Botox can reduce that muscle movement. But when the gums cover the teeth, Botox alone has limits — so we check the cause first.
- Checks first whether muscle is the cause
- An injection, no surgery
- We also explain when it won't fit
- Compared with gum contouring and vestibuloplasty
If your upper lip rises high
every time you smile
Some people have teeth of normal length, but whenever they smile, the upper lip curls up above the gums. In that case, strong movement of the muscles that lift the upper lip may be the cause, and gummy smile Botox is worth considering first.
It is also called gum Botox or a gummy smile injection.
- My gums look fine normally, but a wide band shows when I smile widely
- When I smile, my upper lip thins out and curls up high
- Surgery feels like too much — I'd like to see a change with an injection first
- In photos, I only lift the corners of my mouth instead of smiling fully
- More gum shows on one side than the other
- I'd like to refine my smile before an important event
How does
gummy smile Botox work?
When you smile, muscles beside the nose and above the lip pull the upper lip up. A small dose (8 units) injected into these muscles temporarily reduces their movement, so the lip rises less and less gum shows. No teeth or gums are trimmed or cut.
① Muscles pull the lip up
When you smile, the muscles that lift the upper lip move strongly, raising the lip above the gums.
Injection at planned points
A small dose is injected at points chosen by watching how you smile. If the two sides differ, each side is adjusted separately.
③ The lip rises less
With less muscle movement, the lip rises less when you smile and less gum shows. The white dotted line is the pre-treatment lip line, roughly transferred to match the tooth position.
What you can expect
- Less gum may show when you smile, with an injection and no surgery
- The procedure is short, and most people return to daily life right away
- As the effect wears off, things return to how they were — so it's a low-pressure first step
What to accept
- The effect fades over time, so you need another injection if you want to keep it
- How much it works and how long it lasts differ from person to person
- Your smile may look a little unnatural or uneven for a while
When gummy smile Botox fits,
and when another treatment is better
Botox works by reducing muscle movement, so if the cause isn't the muscle, its effect is limited.
Consider Botox first
- Teeth are of normal length, and gums show only when smiling
- The muscles lifting the lip move a lot
- You want to see a change before considering surgery
When gum contouring is better
- Gums cover the teeth, so the front teeth look short and square
- A wide band of gum shows even without smiling
- You want to refine the gumline before veneers
Consider other treatments too
- Front teeth stick out and lift the lip → orthodontics or veneers
- The upper jaw has grown long downward → see an orthodontic specialist; referral to a jaw surgery hospital if needed
- The lip itself moves a lot → vestibuloplasty
If the gums cover the teeth and you get Botox, the lip may rise less, but the teeth will still look short. In that case, we consider gum contouring first, or together with Botox.
Please tell us before treatment
If any of these apply, we may postpone the procedure or suggest another option first.
- You are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- You have, or have been diagnosed with, a muscle- or nerve-related condition
- You take any medication (especially blood thinners)
- You've had injections in the same area before, or had a bad experience with them
The gummy smile Botox process
The injection itself is quick, but we take time deciding where to place it. Gummy smile Botox is performed by all Blanche dentists.
- 01
Consultation · photos
We photograph your face at rest and in a full smile, and check whether the muscle is the cause.
- 02
Mapping injection points
Watching you smile several times, we mark where the lip is pulled up and how the two sides differ.
- 03
Injection
After cooling the area with an ice pack, 8 units are injected at the marked points with a fine needle.
- 04
Follow-up
After 3 weeks, when the effect appears, we compare smile photos again and discuss any adjustment needed.
The effect starts to appear after 3 weeks and usually lasts 4–6 months. The follow-up is done after the effect has appeared.
When do results appear,
and how long do they last?
Gummy smile Botox doesn't change things on the day of the injection. The effect starts to appear after 3 weeks, when you'll notice the lip rising less as you smile.
The effect lasts 4–6 months. After that, muscle movement gradually returns and the effect fades. It varies with muscle strength, smiling habits and the number of treatments.
Here's what you may notice over time
There may be injection marks or slight swelling, and your smile still looks the same Your lip starts to rise less when you smile At follow-up, we compare before & after photos and see whether adjustment is needed As the effect gradually fades, we discuss whether to repeat it or move on to another treatment
Aftercare and side effects
of gummy smile Botox
After the procedure, you only need to avoid heat exposure. Otherwise, you can go about your daily life as usual.
- 01
Just avoid heat
Please avoid anything that heats your face, such as saunas, hot spas or hot baths.
- 02
Daily life as usual
Apart from avoiding heat, there isn't much else to follow. You can return to daily life right after the procedure.
- 03
Tell us if anything feels off
If swelling or bruising lasts a long time, or your smile feels very uncomfortable, contact us and we'll check.
Repeat the Botox,
or move on to vestibuloplasty?
Once the Botox wears off, you can have it again or consider a longer-lasting option. We decide together based on how things have gone so far and what you want.
When to repeat Botox
- You were happy with the last result and had no side effects
- You don't want surgery, and regular injections aren't a burden
- You only want it when needed, timed for events like weddings or photo shoots
When to consider vestibuloplasty
- The effect seems to fade quickly, and frequent injections are a hassle
- Seeing the change with Botox made it clear what look you want
- The lip rises so much — beyond the muscle — that Botox alone falls short
Trying Botox first can help you decide whether to have surgery. Vestibuloplasty is surgery, with a recovery period, and is hard to reverse — so there's no rush to decide before you've fully heard the differences. See the vestibuloplasty page for details.
Gummy smile Botox cost
Gummy smile Botox costs the same for the first treatment and for repeat treatments.
- If Botox doesn't suit the cause, we explain why and describe other options before recommending any procedure.
- If you plan it together with other treatments, such as vestibuloplasty (KRW 1,000,000, ≈ USD 735) or gum contouring (KRW 100,000, ≈ USD 75, per tooth), we explain the total cost first.
- USD amounts are approximate, based on USD 1 = KRW 1,359. See the full price list for all treatments.
Real Blanche gummy smile Botox cases
These are cases where the upper lip rose high when smiling. Drag the photo left and right to compare before & after.
Real Blanche Dental cases, published with the patients' consent. When results appear, how much they show and how long they last vary from person to person, and the effect fades over time. Swelling, bruising or pain at the injection site, temporary changes in sensation, and an uneven or unnatural-looking smile may occur.
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
Gummy smile Botox: common questions
Who is gummy smile Botox right for?
Are gum Botox and gummy smile Botox the same?
Does the injection hurt?
When does the effect start?
How long does the effect last?
Is it okay to keep getting it?
Will my smile look unnatural?
More gum shows on one side. Can that be adjusted?
If my gums cover my teeth, will Botox help?
What should I watch out for on the day?
Can I return to daily life right after?
What side effects can occur?
Can I have it if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Which is better: Botox or vestibuloplasty?
How much does gummy smile Botox cost?
Can I have it on the same day as veneers?
I live abroad. Can I get a consultation?
Reviewed by Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist (Seoul National University Graduate School of Dentistry, M.S.D.) · Last updated
Blanche Dental Clinic, Nonhyeon Station, Gangnam
A 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Nonhyeon Station, on Gangnam-daero.
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Find out first whether
Botox suits your smile
Send a front-facing photo of your full smile via WhatsApp. A dentist will personally review whether it comes from the muscles, or from the gums or teeth, and get back to you.
Send us a front photo and a smiling photo — a dentist will review them and reply.
Chat on WhatsAppCall +82-1877-2882