Gummy Smile Reduction in Birmingham

Gummy Smile Reduction

A gummy smile, with a large expanse of the gum structure revealed when you smile, is typically inherited and could be a feature you have dreamt of changing. At Rousso Adams, a gummy smile reduction in Birmingham is a minor nonsurgical treatment that creates a natural smile with less of your gums revealed. BOTOX injections or lip enhancements with fillers can be an effective non-surgical method for gummy smile reduction.

What is gummy smile reduction?

A non-surgical procedure to treat a gummy smile involves BOTOX injections, which can relax specific muscles so the upper lip cannot rise as high when smiling. Excess gum tissue may be removed from around the teeth to expose more teeth and less gum, or the gum line re-contoured.

What does gummy smile reduction treat?

Gummy smile reduction is a non-surgical procedure using BOTOX to resolve issues related to too much gum being revealed when you smile or laugh.

Candidates for gummy smile reduction

Candidates for the treatment are those who feel their appearance is less attractive due to a gummy smile. You should be in good general health and not have any medical conditions that could impact the safety or outcome of your treatment, such as being allergic to anesthesia, neuromodulators, or bleeding disorders.

Please contact us if you're interested in a gummy smile reduction in Birmingham.

How is the procedure performed?

A common method to treat a gummy smile is to alter the muscles that elevate the upper lip so they cannot raise the upper lip as high. BOTOX is injected into the elevator muscles to prevent excessive contraction leading to a gummy smile.

Recovery after a gummy smile reduction procedure

With BOTOX injections, you have virtually no recovery time, although the BOTOX takes several days before you will see results. Any swelling or discomfort can be managed with pain medication and cool compresses.

Why Choose Rousso Adams for Gummy Smile Reduction in Birmingham?

Gummy smile treatment works on small muscles that lift the upper lip, and a few units placed slightly off-target can flatten a smile instead of refining it. The evidence behind the treatment is strong when it's matched to the right cause: a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found BOTOX significantly reduced gum display two weeks after injection, but noted that gummy smiles caused by excess upper-jaw growth are best corrected surgically.

Diagnosis before treatment. A gummy smile can come from overactive lip muscles, short teeth with excess gum tissue, or jaw position. Your evaluation identifies the cause first, and if dental or orthognathic care would serve you better, you'll be told so.
Anatomy-driven precision. Treatments are performed or directly overseen by board-certified facial plastic surgeons whose training centers on the muscles and structures of the face and mouth.
Conservative dosing for a natural smile. The goal is to show less gum while keeping your smile expressive, not to freeze the upper lip.
Complementary lip options. If your lips also look thin when you smile, subtle lip augmentation can be planned alongside your treatment.
A physician-led injectables program. The same team administers BOTOX and other wrinkle relaxers every day, so dosing and follow-up are consistent visit to visit.

Contact Rousso Adams to schedule a gummy smile consultation in Birmingham.

FAQ

Is it worth getting BOTOX to correct a gummy smile?

If you are bothered by how your smile appears, getting BOTOX can help you feel more confident – and smile more!

What causes a gummy smile?

A gummy smile, or excessive gingival display, can result from short teeth with excess gum tissues around them or an upper jaw positioned too far forward.

Is a gummy smile a cosmetic or functional issue?

A gummy smile refers to what dentists call the smile line or aesthetic zone, the teeth showing when you are smiling. The optimal smile line appearance is 0-2mm from the top of the teeth and should be level to the eyes. Generally, a gummy smile is a cosmetic concern, not functional. However, there are some circumstances where a gummy smile is a sign of a medical condition. This includes when skeletal and orthodontic disharmony interferes with the ability to chew.

Are BOTOX treatments for a gummy smile painful?

The needle that injects BOTOX® is tiny with minimal stinging effect. Because the entire process is almost painless, no anesthesia is necessary, so our patients are usually awake during treatment.

How many units of BOTOX are needed to treat a gummy smile?

The amount of BOTOX necessary to correct a gummy smile varies from patient to patient and will be discussed during your initial consultation. Generally, one or two units of BOTOX are needed to fix a gummy smile.

When will I see the results of correcting a gummy smile with BOTOX?

The results appear after two or three days as the elevation of the upper lip gradually decreases. Full results will be visible within two weeks of your treatment.

How can I make my results last?

Most BOTOX treatments require zero downtime so that you can resume normal activities immediately. However, to ensure the best and long-lasting results, avoid the following for 24 hours after treatment, touching the treatment area, exercising, sleeping face down.