Anti Wrinkle injections for a Gummy Smile

  • The condition known as “gummy smile,” when a person’s smile reveals far more of the gums than is considered attractive.

  • A lot of things may cause the condition: small teeth, too much gum tissue, and a thin upper lip can each be a cause. In all cases of gummy smile, genes are at fault.

  • The rule of thumb when smiling is two millimeters of gum showing is ideal. Anything over three to four millimeters of gum showing starts to look ‘gummy’.

  • About 7% of men and 14% of women have this type of smile.

  • Cosmetic surgery; either a crown lengthening procedure, which takes away gum tissue, or severing certain muscles that lift the upper lip, so that it reveals less of the gums; was the only option previously. This can be very expensive and painful.

  • In certain circumstances injections can now be used to fix gummy smile. It only works if the lip is the problem. If the bone is the issue, then orthognathic surgery is still required to fix it and the simpler treatment can’t help.

  • If an upper lip that is thin is a contributing factor in the appearance of a gummy smile, a combination treatment of fillers to the lips and Anti Wrinkle Injections may be suggested by Dr. Kelleher.

This treatment is ideal for people with high smile lines and short upper lips who wish to show a little less of their gums (but still show their teeth) when they smile. It is a simple and minimal treatment with botulinum toxin to relax the upper lip slightly, thus reducing the amount of gum show at smile. The lower lip can also be treated, though this is a less common problem area.

While for most people smiling is an expression of happiness, individuals whose gums stand out more than their smile does often feel self-conscious. Very often those with gummy smiles try to control and minimize their smile and some feel so self-conscious that they prefer not to smile at all.   This may have a detrimental effect on one's professional, social, and personal relationships.

For more technical information on Gummy Smiles and what to expect when you have a treatment with Elanamie Clinic- see below.

Muscles involved gummy smile

Elevator muscles of the upper lip. To decrease upper lip retraction in people with so-called “gummy smiles”, by weakening the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi muscle.This inhibits its ability to rise all the way, blocking out more of the gums and eliminating a gummy smile.

Treatment - What to Expect

  1. The patient sits back on a bed with the backrest up.

  2. The area is cleaned.

  3. The Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi muscles are injected.

  4. It takes about 60 seconds.

  5. Light pressure is applied to the area to prevent bruising.

dosage:

To decrease upper lip retraction in people by weakening the Levator Labii Superioris Alaeque Nasi muscle. Dosage for gummy smile:

  • in females: 2-3 units per side

  • in males: 2-4 units per side

Aftercare:

  • Slight bruising can occur, but can be concealed with make-up. It resolves in a few days.

  • The effect will kick in after 7-10 days and last between 2 and 7 months, depending on the dosage used and the patients physiology. Some patients dissolve product faster than other patients.

  • First time patients will sometimes be requested to return after 2-3 weeks for a check-up and an adjustment if required.

  • Most patients have the injections repeated 3-4 times a year.