A gummy smile, or a smile that shows a large amount of gum tissue, is a huge source of self-consciousness for many patients. For some, this can lead to years of hiding their smiles and feeling insecure. Thankfully, Botox can be used to effectively reduce the appearance of a gummy smile through a quick, painless procedure. In a small injection, not even ten seconds, my smile has been completely changed. I feel beautiful and I’m so grateful.
To correct gummy smiles, our physicians at Reflections Center inject a small amount of Botox into the upper lip. This helps to relax the small muscles in this area and prevent the lip from curling up or under when you smile. Botox injections are completed quickly, especially during procedures such as gummy smile correction which require only a few units. They are also virtually pain-free, though topical numbing products can be used to maintain your comfort during the procedure.
In some cases, your physician may recommend pairing Botox with dermal fillers to subtly enhance the fullness of the lips. This allows you to achieve a beautiful, balanced, and natural-looking result. Not all patients will require dermal fillers, and your Reflections Center physician will advise the specific treatment plan that will achieve your best possible results.
Typically, patients will see the full results of Botox injections within about two-to-three days after receiving their injections. The upper lip will gradually raise less and less as the Botox begins to work. Within two weeks, you should notice that your smile is improved. This patient was relieved to see her results, saying “I want you to see how happy I am that I did it.”
Like all Botox injections, gummy smile treatment is not permanent. Botox results typically last about four months before the body naturally and safely breaks down the product. To maintain your results, you can return to Reflections Center for repeated injections. Your physician will explain how often you should have maintenance injections during a consultation appointment. Only physicians perform cosmetic injections at our practice, and each of our physicians have at least 5 years of experience doing injections currently – so you can feel safe and secure in the hands of experienced doctors.
