A gummy smile is often something people notice in photos before they notice it in real life. When you smile big, more of the gums show than you’d like, and suddenly that’s all you can focus on.
This is a common facial concern and not a medical problem. For many patients, addressing a gummy smile isn’t about changing their smile — it’s about bringing better balance between the lips, teeth, and gums so the smile feels more comfortable and natural.
Excessive gum visibility when smiling
Overactive upper lip muscles
More balanced, natural-looking smile
A gummy smile occurs when an excessive amount of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth when smiling.
This can happen for several reasons, including how the upper lip moves, the length of the teeth, or the position of the jaw. In many cases, it’s related to muscle activity rather than tooth or gum health.
Everyone’s smile is different, and there’s no single “right” amount of gum to show. A gummy smile only becomes a concern when it bothers you or affects your confidence.
A gummy smile can be caused by multiple factors, sometimes occurring in combination.
Hyperactive lip muscles — Overactive muscles that elevate your upper lip when you smile can cause the lip to rise too high, exposing more gum tissue.
Naturally short upper lip — Some people simply have a shorter distance between the nose and upper lip, which reveals more gum when smiling.
Teeth appearance — Teeth that appear shorter due to wear, incomplete eruption, or excessive gum coverage can make the gums appear more prominent.
Abnormal jaw development — The way the upper jaw developed can contribute to a gummy smile. If the upper jaw protrudes or is positioned lower, more gum may be visible.
Gum tissue formation — The way the gums formed around the teeth can result in more visible gum tissue.
Facial structure and genetics — Genetics plays a role in all of these factors.
When muscle movement is the primary factor, treatment often focuses on relaxing the muscles that raise the upper lip rather than altering the teeth or gums themselves.
A gummy smile doesn’t cause discomfort, but it can affect confidence.
Patients often say they:
These feelings are common. Addressing a gummy smile is about restoring balance — not taking away personality or expression.
A consultation at Lazaderm is focused on evaluation and comfort.
During your visit, your provider will:
You’ll have time to ask questions and decide what feels right for you.
Non-surgical treatment for a gummy smile provides improvement, not permanent change.
Botox/Dysport results:
Important to understand: For gummy smiles caused primarily by muscle activity, Botox or Dysport can be very effective. For gummy smiles caused by jaw position, tooth length, or gum overgrowth, other treatments may be more appropriate.
The goal is a softer, more balanced smile that still looks like you.
The right treatment depends on what’s causing the gummy appearance. A consultation helps determine whether muscle movement, lip position, jaw structure, or other factors are involved. At Lazaderm, we believe it’s important for you to consider all of your options, even those we don’t perform ourselves.
When a gummy smile is caused by overactive upper lip muscles, Botox or Dysport is the easiest and most common treatment.
How it works: By gently relaxing the muscles that lift the upper lip, these neuromodulators reduce how high the lip rises when smiling. This allows more of the teeth and less of the gums to show while keeping the smile natural.
What to expect:
Best for:
At Lazaderm, we don’t perform all gummy smile treatments, but we feel it’s important for you to understand all of your options. Depending on the cause of your gummy smile, other treatments may be more appropriate.
Orthodontics: Moving the teeth may prevent the upper lip from raising too much, reducing the amount of gums that show when smiling. This is typically handled by an orthodontist.
Gum contouring surgery (gingivectomy): For patients with excess gum tissue covering the teeth, gum surgery can remove tissue and reveal more tooth surface. This is performed by a periodontist or oral surgeon.
Lip repositioning surgery: This procedure involves removing some mucosal tissue from the upper lip and suturing the tissue into a lower position. It’s performed by oral surgeons or facial plastic surgeons.
Jaw repositioning (orthognathic surgery): For gummy smiles caused by jaw position, surgical repositioning of the jaw may be recommended. This should only be performed by a maxillofacial surgeon, ENT surgeon, or facial plastic surgeon.
Your Lazaderm provider can help you determine which option might be best for your situation and provide referrals when appropriate.
In some cases, addressing related concerns can enhance overall results.
Lip enhancement: Concerns related to lip position or fullness may overlap with a gummy smile. For patients with thin lips, adding subtle volume can help balance the smile appearance.
Facial balancing: Your provider may discuss how other facial features interact with your smile and whether additional treatments might complement gummy smile correction.
These options are discussed on an individual basis during your consultation.
If a gummy smile is something you’ve been thinking about, a consultation can help you understand your options. At Lazaderm, consultations focus on education, safety, and helping you feel confident in your decisions.
