Vestibuloplasty,
when your upper lip lifts too high
A procedure considered for gummy smiles in which the upper lip rises a lot when you smile. If the gums show for a reason other than the lip, another treatment comes first. We start by finding the cause.
- Cause checked first from smile photos
- Compared with Botox and gum contouring
- About 30-minute procedure · stitches out in 2 weeks
- Performed by any Blanche dentist
- KRW 1,000,000 (≈ USD 735)
When your upper lip
rises too high as you smile
Vestibuloplasty is a procedure for gummy smiles in which the upper lip rises high and shows a wide band of gum; it reduces how far the lip moves up. It is also called lip repositioning. Unlike other gummy smile treatments, it leaves the teeth and gums as they are and works on the lip side.
Many people search for it as gummy smile surgery or lip repositioning.
- When I smile widely, a wide band of gum shows above my upper teeth
- My teeth are a normal length, but a lot of gum shows only when I smile
- I cover my mouth or only slightly lift the corners of my lips in photos
- I have had Botox, but I have to repeat it every time the effect wears off
- I wonder whether surgery could change it, and whether surgery is right for me
- I can't tell on my own whether it is my lip or my gums
How does vestibuloplasty
change your smile?
Between the inside of the upper lip and the gums there is some free space that lets the lip move upward. By trimming part of this inner lining and stitching it to reduce that space, the lip cannot rise as high when you smile.
① Before surgery, smiling
The upper lip rises high and a wide band of gum shows above the teeth.
② Trimming and stitching the inner lining
Part of the lining inside the lip is trimmed and stitched to reduce the space the lip can move up into. No wound is left on the skin outside.
③ After surgery, smiling
The lip rises less, so less gum shows. The mint line marks the lip position when smiling after surgery.
Vestibuloplasty works on how the lip moves. If the gums cover much of the teeth so they look short, or if the upper jaw has grown long downward, this procedure alone may not give the change you want, so we first sort out the cause.
Whether vestibuloplasty suits you
depends on what causes your gummy smile
A "smile that shows a lot of gum" can have several causes, and two or more can overlap. Below is a general guide; the actual decision is made from photos and an examination.
When there is more than one cause, treatments are sometimes combined. For example, if the lip rises a lot and the teeth also look short, vestibuloplasty and gum contouring can be considered together. All the causes of a gummy smile are covered on the Gummy Smile Treatment page.
Botox or vestibuloplasty:
what's the difference?
Both reduce how far the lip rises when you smile, but they work and last in different ways. Below are the general differences; results and how long they last vary from person to person.
What vestibuloplasty can offer
- Less gum shows when you smile, which can make your smile look calmer
- Only the lip is treated, without shaving teeth or cutting away gum
- The incision is only inside the mouth, so no scar is left on the facial skin
- It can ease the burden of coming in for regular injections
Downsides and limits to accept
- Swelling and tightness last for a while after surgery, and smiling widely or talking may be uncomfortable
- Over time, the lip may partly rise again (relapse)
- Causes other than the lip (short teeth, jaw structure) are not solved by this procedure
- How much it changes and how long it lasts vary from person to person
If you hesitate because you have never had surgery, one option is to first see how your smile changes when lip movement is reduced with gummy smile Botox. We decide together at the consultation which suits you, and you are welcome to make the decision at home.
When vestibuloplasty suits you,
and when another treatment comes first
We don't decide on surgery from a smile photo alone; we look at the examination and measurements together.
When we consider vestibuloplasty
- A lot of gum shows only when smiling, and the lip rises a lot
- Tooth length and gumline are within a fairly normal range
- Botox worked, but repeating it is a burden
- No acute inflammation in the gums or mouth
What we check first
- Gum inflammation or tartar is calmed down first
- Thickness and condition of the inner lip lining
- Lip length and how much tooth shows at rest
- Whether braces or veneers are planned
When another treatment comes first
- Gums cover much of the teeth, so they look short → gum contouring
- Front teeth stick out → orthodontic treatment
- Upper jaw has grown long downward → skeletal assessment
- Surgery feels like too much → try Botox first
At Blanche, the decision does not rest on one dentist alone. If orthodontics seems necessary, we review it with an orthodontic specialist, check the gums and teeth together, and recommend only the treatment you need.
The vestibuloplasty process
From consultation to follow-up, it goes in this order. Every dentist at Blanche can perform vestibuloplasty.
- 01
Consultation · photos · measurements
We use smile photos and an examination to check why the gums show and how far the lip rises.
- 02
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is given inside the upper lip, where the procedure is done. If you are very nervous, it can be done under IV sedation.
- 03
Surgery
Part of the inner lip lining is trimmed within the planned range. The procedure takes about 30 minutes.
- 04
Stitching
The lip position is set and stitched to finish.
- 05
Stitch removal
Stitches are removed 2 weeks after surgery.
- 06
Follow-up
We check how your smile and lip movement settle.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes and stitches come out after 2 weeks. It can take longer for the swelling to go down and the lip movement to settle, so the result is judged after recovery is complete.
The procedure stays inside the lip
The inner lining of the upper lip is trimmed and then stitched, so no wound is left on the outside of the face. Stitches are removed 2 weeks after surgery. The photo has been converted to black and white to make it easier to view.
After surgery there may be swelling, bruising, pain, tightness and temporary changes in sensation; recovery time, results and how long they last vary from person to person. If you are very nervous, the procedure can be done under IV sedation (conscious sedation) (KRW 400,000 (≈ USD 295) per session, charged separately).
While you recover,
please do the following
With vestibuloplasty, it matters to give the lip time to heal in its new position. Below is general guidance; we will explain again based on your condition after surgery.
- 01
Limit lip movement
While the wound heals, try not to smile broadly, open your mouth wide or talk for long periods.
- 02
Soft foods
Avoid spicy, hot or hard foods and eat soft foods that are easy to chew.
- 03
Managing swelling
Swelling may appear in the first few days. Cold compresses, used as instructed, can help.
- 04
Keeping your mouth clean
Don't brush the surgical area hard, and keep your mouth clean as instructed.
Let us know right away if
Smoking can slow wound healing, so it is best avoided during recovery.
- Bleeding continues, or swelling keeps getting worse instead of going down
- You have a fever or see pus at the surgical site
- Stitches come loose earlier than planned or the wound feels like it has opened
Vestibuloplasty side effects
and the chance of relapse
Before surgery, you should know about the discomfort that can occur as well as the positive changes. Most of it eases during recovery, but how much and for how long differs from person to person.
Relapse means the lip partly rises again over time, getting closer to how it looked before surgery. The strength of the lip-lifting muscles and how well the lip was rested during recovery can affect this. That is why we explain the chance of relapse before surgery. If relapse occurs, we don't operate again right away; we watch the progress long enough and then consider a second surgery.
- Swelling and bruising can last from a few days to, in some cases, several weeks
- Your lip may feel tight and stiff when you smile or talk
- Sensation around the upper lip may be temporarily reduced
- Your smile may feel unnatural in the early stage of recovery
- The two sides may heal at different speeds and look uneven for a while
- Over time, the lip may partly rise again (relapse)
Blanche vestibuloplasty: real 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. Results and how long they last vary from person to person, relapse is possible, and swelling, bruising, pain, tightness or temporary changes in sensation may occur after surgery.
Vestibuloplasty cost
Vestibuloplasty costs KRW 1,000,000 (≈ USD 735), VAT excluded. If gum contouring or Botox is done as well, we explain the cost of each separately.
- 01
Vestibuloplasty KRW 1,000,000
The procedure takes about 30 minutes and stitches come out after 2 weeks. IV sedation, if you want it, costs KRW 400,000 (≈ USD 295) per session extra.
- 02
Combined treatments explained separately
If gum contouring or Botox is also being considered, we explain what each one is for, separately.
- 03
Feel free to decide at home
We go over every explanation at least four times. Take your time and decide once you fully understand.
- Prices for all treatments are on our full price list. USD amounts are approximate, based on USD 1 = KRW 1,359.
A clinic that looks at gums, lips
and teeth together
A gummy smile rarely has 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 as a next step.
- Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist · Graduated from Seoul National University College of Dentistry and School of Dentistry; Master of Dental Science, Seoul National University
- Trained at US Columbia & UCLA Dental Hospitals
- Six dentists with an average of 15+ years of experience · Collaboration with orthodontic specialists
Vestibuloplasty: common questions
What kind of gummy smile is vestibuloplasty for?
Are lip repositioning and vestibuloplasty the same procedure?
Will it leave a scar on my face?
Does the procedure hurt?
Which is better, Botox or vestibuloplasty?
I'm getting Botox now. Can I switch to vestibuloplasty?
How long does the procedure take, and when are the stitches removed?
Which dentist performs the procedure?
Can I go back to work or school right after surgery?
What should I eat during recovery?
When can I see the result?
Is the effect of vestibuloplasty permanent?
What happens if it relapses?
What side effects can occur?
Can it be combined with gum contouring?
I'm planning braces or veneers. When is the best time?
How much does vestibuloplasty cost?
Can I get a consultation from overseas?
Reviewed by Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist (Graduated from Seoul National University School of Dentistry; Master of Dental Science) · 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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Whether you need surgery
can wait until we've seen your smile photo
Send us a front-facing photo of your full smile on WhatsApp. A dentist will look at it personally and tell you whether the cause is your lip, gums or teeth.
Send us a front photo and a smiling photo — a dentist will review them and reply.
Chat on WhatsAppCall +82-1877-2882