Face Gummy Smile

Many individuals express concerns about showing more gum tissue than desired when smiling, commonly referred to as a ‘gummy smile’. At Contour Clinics, our cosmetic doctors offer personalised consultations to discuss concerns such as a gummy smile and explore suitable cosmetic options that may help support a balanced look between the lips and gums.

A gummy smile can often result from multiple factors, including lip structure, facial anatomy, and natural muscle activity responsible for elevating the upper lip. During your detailed consultation, our qualified clinicians carefully assess your unique facial features and the specific factors contributing to your smile appearance. Together, you’ll explore appropriate cosmetic approaches tailored precisely to your individual needs.

Your consultation will include a clear discussion of suitable options, realistic expectations, potential benefits, and associated risks, empowering you to make informed decisions.

Our goal is to ensure you feel comfortable and fully informed about your choices for addressing your gummy smile concerns.

Experienced cosmetic doctors assess your individual smile and facial structure to discuss subtle cosmetic options for reducing the appearance of a gummy smile
Clinicians explore suitable solutions carefully designed to support a balanced look for your lips, gums, and overall facial aesthetics, aligned to your unique goals
Comprehensive consultations provide transparent information about treatment suitability, realistic outcomes, and associated risks

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Results may vary between individuals and depend on personal goals, baseline characteristics, and responses to treatment. A consultation with a qualified medical professional is recommended to determine if this treatment is suitable for you.

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At Contour Clinics, we’re committed to providing safe, ethical, and personalised cosmetic care. Our experienced doctors focus on delivering balanced, realistic consultations tailored specifically to your needs.

Book your complimentary consultation today to discuss suitability, cosmetic options and experience the patient-focused care that sets Contour Clinics apart. Individual results can vary, and your practitioner will guide you through what could be achievable for you.

Gummy Smile How to Address a Gummy Smile

At Contour Clinics, our qualified cosmetic doctors provide comprehensive, personalised consultations to explore a variety of options tailored specifically to your unique gummy smile concerns. Depending on your individual anatomy, aesthetic preferences, and the underlying cause of your gummy smile, our clinicians may discuss the following cosmetic and specialist referral options:

Muscle activity

Non-surgical options that carefully address the activity of muscles involved in elevating the upper lip, aiming to subtly reduce the visibility of gums during smiling or talking.

Lip enhancement consultations

If you have a naturally smaller upper lip or want subtle refinement, a consultation can explore suitable options to support lip shape and proportion in a way that complements your overall features. Suitability and expected outcomes are discussed during assessment.

Gum specialist referral (gum contouring procedures)

If excessive gum tissue significantly contributes to your smile concerns, a referral to an appropriate dental or periodontal specialist may be discussed. Specialists can evaluate whether precise gum tissue adjustment could achieve a better cosmetic outcome.

Orthognathic (jaw) surgery referral

In certain cases, structural alignment of the jaw may contribute substantially to a gummy smile. For these more complex anatomical situations, your clinician may recommend referral to an appropriate specialist for assessment of surgical options.

Cosmetic dental referral (veneers and smile design)

Individuals interested in comprehensive dental improvements, particularly those with smaller teeth or general concerns about tooth shape and alignment, may be referred to experienced cosmetic dental practitioners. Veneers or other cosmetic dentistry procedures can address overall smile aesthetics in certain cases.

During your personalised consultation, our cosmetic doctors carefully assess your facial anatomy, discuss all suitable options, and clearly explain potential outcomes, associated benefits, realistic expectations, and any risks or considerations involved. Our goal is to empower you to make an informed decision about the cosmetic approaches that best meet your individual aesthetic objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a gummy smile?

Gummy smile is defined by 2-4mm of gum that is showing when smiling.

Excessive gum show during smiling can be caused by gum overgrowth, irregular teeth shape and size, or most commonly from excessive activity of muscles involved in raising the upper lip.

What causes gummy smile?

Gummy smiles are caused by overactivation of the three muscles associated with lip elevation; the levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and zygomaticus minor. This is often genetic and tends to run in a family.

Other more uncommon causes include:

Excessive gum growth (gingival hyperplasia)
Irregular vertical position of the upper jaw
The size and shape of the teeth

Is a gummy smile genetic?

Gummy smiles do tend to run in the family. However, this is not the only cause for a gummy smile.

Will children outgrow a gummy smile?

This varies from child to child and is based on the underlying cause for a gummy smile.

Children still have developing jaw structures until their late teens. Also, gum irritation secondary to braces/orthodontic work can cause gum swelling and worsen the appearance of a gummy smile.

Asssessment later in the teenage years can provide a better clue as to whether a gummy smile is likely to persist into adult life.

Can a gummy smile be corrected with braces or Invisalign?

Unlikely, but possible.

Straightening teeth with either Invisalign or braces will not correct overactivity of the lip elevator muscles, change the vertical height of the upper jaw, or plump the upper lip to reduce the appearance of the upper gums.

Often, gums can be irritated from braces and Invisalign, which can lead to gum thickening (gingival hyperplasia) and a more prominent gummy smile.

How is gummy smile treated?

At Contour Clinics, your qualified cosmetic doctor begins by conducting a comprehensive consultation, including a thorough discussion of your medical history, careful facial assessment and a suitability check. Comfort measures, including topical numbing and preparation of the skin, are typically used to help minimise potential discomfort during treatment.

The procedure itself is minimally invasive, performed with carefully selected, tailored cosmetic techniques designed to subtly address the appearance of a gummy smile by considering facial muscle activity.

Do gummy smile treatments hurt?

Every patients experience of discomfort during gummy smile procedures is unique. Expectations surrounding discomfort will be discussed at your complimentary consultation. In general, there is minimal discomfort with this procedure. Ice packs can be used prior to treatments. If required, numbing cream and/or happy gas may be used if clinically indicated.

Where are gummy smile treatments targeted?

Most gummy smile treatments are targeted to the Levator Labii Superiorus Alaeque Nasalis (LLSAN muscle). These paired muscles run down on each side of the nose over the inner cheek.

Occasionally, gummy smiles are caused by pull of the Zygomaticus muscles. This is an advanced area to treat, and focuses on the areas just above the outer edges of the smile.

What are the potential side effects of gummy smile treatments?

All cosmetic treatments have potential risks, and those addressing gummy smiles are no exception. Although many individuals experience minimal side effects, it’s important to understand possible outcomes clearly.

Minor side effects, such as mild swelling, bruising, or temporary asymmetry, may occur following treatment. These usually resolve naturally over the following days or weeks. Rarely, individuals may experience changes to their smile appearance or speech, though significant complications are uncommon.

At Contour Clinics, qualified medical professionals prioritise patient safety and satisfaction. During your personalised consultation, your clinician will thoroughly discuss possible risks, realistic expectations, comfort measures, and appropriate aftercare, ensuring you feel fully informed before proceeding.

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Face Gummy Smile

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Understanding the Anatomy What is a Gummy Smile?

Gummy Smile Assessments What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Overactive Facial Muscles

Short or Thin Upper Lip

Tooth and Jaw Structure

Gum Tissue Overgrowth