How long does Botox for a gummy smile last?

The effect appears within a few days and generally lasts 3 to 4 months. Touch-ups maintain and refine the result.

Is the result permanent?

No, the neuromodulator's effect is temporary and reversible — an advantage for adjusting the smile gradually. Gingival or surgical approaches are more lasting.

Does it look natural?

At an appropriate dose, yes: the aim is to lower the lip slightly, not to freeze the smile. Precise dosing is the key to a discreet result.

Can every gummy smile be treated with Botox?

No. Botox mainly helps when the cause is muscular. If the gum or the skeleton is involved, other options are more appropriate — the assessment determines which.

The gummy smile: causes and solutions

June 23, 2026 · 5 min read

A gummy smile is when a large band of gum — often more than 3 to 4 mm — shows when you smile. Causes vary: a very mobile upper lip, gum covering too much of the teeth, or skeletal factors. Treatment depends on the cause; Botox® mainly helps when it's muscular.

What is a gummy smile?

A smile is generally seen as harmonious when it reveals the teeth and only a few millimetres of gum. Beyond roughly 3 to 4 mm of visible gum, we call it a gummy smile. It's a very common aesthetic variation — not a disease — but one that leaves many people reluctant to smile fully.

Why it happens — the causes

Several mechanisms, sometimes combined, can explain it:

A hypermobile upper lip that rises too high when you smile
Altered passive eruption: the gum still covers part of the teeth
Teeth that look short, through wear or proportions
A skeletal factor, related to the position of the upper jaw

III

Botox's role when the cause is muscular

When a gummy smile comes mainly from an overly mobile upper lip, a small, precisely placed dose of neuromodulator (Botox®) can ease that pull and slightly lower the lip when you smile. The effect is subtle and temporary — 3 to 4 months — which allows the result to be adjusted gradually. It's the least invasive option when the indication fits.

When Botox isn't enough

If the cause is gingival (altered passive eruption), reshaping the gum may be indicated; if it's skeletal or tied to tooth position, an orthodontic or surgical approach — sometimes with a specialist — gives better results. Being honest about the cause avoids proposing a treatment that wouldn't hold.

How the right approach is chosen

It starts with an assessment: measuring the exposed gum, lip mobility, tooth proportions, and a smile analysis. From there we determine whether Botox alone is enough, whether to combine it with another treatment, or to refer to a different solution. The goal: a natural result, in proportion with your face.

Frequently asked

How long does Botox for a gummy smile last?: The effect appears within a few days and generally lasts 3 to 4 months. Touch-ups maintain and refine the result.
Is the result permanent?: No, the neuromodulator's effect is temporary and reversible — an advantage for adjusting the smile gradually. Gingival or surgical approaches are more lasting.
Does it look natural?: At an appropriate dose, yes: the aim is to lower the lip slightly, not to freeze the smile. Precise dosing is the key to a discreet result.
Can every gummy smile be treated with Botox?: No. Botox mainly helps when the cause is muscular. If the gum or the skeleton is involved, other options are more appropriate — the assessment determines which.

Self-conscious about showing your gums when you smile?

Clinique Dentaire et d'Implantologie de Magog · 22 rue Laurier · 819 · 847 · 1661

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