February 7, 2022 | Facial Aesthetics

How Can Botox Help Your Gummy Smile?

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If your upper lip rests high above the top of your gum line, it can cause you to become quite self-conscious.

Generally, when smiling, the only parts of the gum that are visible are the small pink triangles that intersect between each tooth. If you have more gum on show, the result is a gummy smile. This condition can be caused by your lips, gums, or teeth.

Don’t worry, at The London Smile Clinic, we are able to address issues with your gummy smile. Using botox injections, we can alter the way that your lip lifts above your teeth and gums.

Let’s explore how Botox can be used to help with your gummy smile.

What Exactly Is Botox?

Botox is the more commonly used name for botulinum toxin type A. Used in small doses, the drug will weaken or paralyse a muscle. It does this by preventing the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Botox is made up of a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is safe and is often used to reduce wrinkles on your face and around your lips. When injected directly into your lips, Botox will improve their appearance, making them cover more of your gum.

How Can Botox Help Your Gummy Smile?

To address your gummy smile, we’ll inject Botox into an area of your lips called the cupid’s bow. This can be found at the centre of your upper lip and is home to the orbicularis oris muscle. This is the muscle used when puckering your lips.

Once the Botox starts working, your lip muscles will begin relaxing. This will make them curl slightly and appear slightly bigger. Whenever you smile after having Botox, your lips will cover your gums.

How Long Does Botox Last?

Your Botox treatment will be relatively short, following which you’ll be able to go about your day as normal, without any need for downtime.

The effects of Botox last for between three and four months. Once they have worn off, you’ll need to schedule another appointment, where we’ll inject your lips again.

Having repeat injections of Botox will increase its effectiveness, and you’ll be able to go longer between visits.

What Treatments Can Botox Be Used In Conjunction With?

Of course, while Botox is great for addressing the position of your lips, there are cosmetic dental procedures that can alter the size and shape of your teeth and gums. These include:

Using veneers or bonding to reshape your teeth
Having a surgical or laser gum lift to reduce the visible portion of the gum

When you make an appointment with our expert cosmetic dentist, Dr. Tim Bradstock-Smith, he’ll be able to assess your teeth, gums, and lips to provide you with the best possible treatment combination to create a winning smile.

Make Your Appointment Today

If you’re ready to see what a difference botox can make to your smile, get in touch today and schedule an appointment.

What our patients say

Ali

Bonnie was so caring, knowledgeable, forthcoming and thorough. Can’t recommend her and The London Smile Clinic enough ! Best hygienist in the UK !

G G

I cannot recommend London Smile Clinic enough! I saw Dr Joe Bansal for treatment including Invisalign, Composite Bonding and Teeth Whitening and Joe has truly transformed my smile. Joe’s professionalism and work is of an exemplary high standard. I’ve been completely in awe of Joe’s effectiveness in providing patient satisfaction and he’s just such a lovely and nice guy! I was always kept updated of dental work on treatment days and with the overall schedule. The administrative and clinical staff are so friendly too. I’m already looking forward to seeing Joe and Bonnie, the amazing hygienist in six months! Absolutely great experience of overall patient care.

Sophie

I couldn’t recommend the The London Smile Clinic more, not only did they completely transform my smile but the entire team are so welcoming and helpful. I had a number of different procedures including orthodontics, implants, gum reshaping and veneers so TLSC felt like a second home during my treatment period. The results were absolutely incredible and surpassed all expectations,...

Sophie

I highly recommend the London Smile Clinic- all of the people that I saw were extremely professional, highly skilled and kind. I had a full set of veneers fitted to replace my very worn down yellow teeth with Dr Tim Bradstock-Smith. It has completely changed my life and given me so confidence. I get sooo many compliments and no one knows they’re veneers- everyone thinks I’ve just had my teeth whitened as they’re so natural. I’ve never smiled so much before and love having my picture taken now!

Áine

This team is amazing and completely saved the day. Kind, helpful, supremely professional and clearly at the top of their game. I knocked out my perfect bridge six days before Christmas and they went out of their way to sort it out in one day, working overtime. Not only did Tim save the day, but they saved my Christmas! I’d already been asked many times who made my bridge 10 years ago - not that you’d have noticed, it was perfect. I don’t know why anyone would go anywhere else.

Caterina

Couldn't recommend this practice enough! Their advice and support during my orthodontic treatment has been unparalleled. Big shout out to Professor Fleming, Anna and Emma :)

Keith

My first visit, was delighted with your communication, you explained everything very well, you explained what was needed and a plan was put in place, nothing was rushed and I felt in good hands, thank you.

Nadia

The London Smile Clinic is the best dental practice . I have been to many dentists and this is by far the best. Always friendly, efficient & professional. I had my teeth cleaned and whitened by Tim and Shazia. I absolutely love the results I am very grateful to the entire team.