Gummy smile treatments

Cosmetic Connection is a dedicated gummy smile treatment clinic in Melbourne and Sydney. Our clinic excels in providing a first-class service, and our cosmetic doctors are some of the most experienced in the country.

We offer a purely bespoke approach to gummy smile treatments in Sydney and Melbourne, and will work with you to understand your concerns and develop a bespoke treatment plan to achieve your aesthetic goals.

If you want tailored gummy smile treatments in Sydney and Melbourne, choose the cosmetic doctors at Cosmetic Connection.

A gummy smile is defined as a smile with more than 2-3mm of visible gum.

Excessive gum show can be caused by:

• Strong smile and lip elevating muscles
• Excess gingival gum tissue
• Short upper teeth
• A long upper jaw
• A thin top lip

Gummy smiles are usually caused by hyperactivity of the muscles that lift your top lip. These muscles are:

• Levator labii superioris
• Levator labii superioris aleque nasi
• Zygomaticus minor

An overactive obicularis oris muscle can contribute to the appearance of a gummy smile.

Other less common causes of a gummy smile include:

• Excessive gum tissue above the upper teeth (known as gingival hyperplasia)
• Short upper teeth
• A long upper jaw (maxilla bone)

Gummy smiles tend to run in the family as we inherit certain facial features from our parents. However, some people may develop a gummy smile with inheriting it.

Yes, a gummy smile has many treatment options depending on the cause. The most common way we treat a gummy smile is by relaxing upper lip muscles, and volumising the lip area.

Many children grow out of their gummy smile as their upper jaw develops. The jaw bones continue to grow until early adulthood, and other factors such as dental work and braces can affect the development of a gummy smile.

You won’t know if your child will outgrow their gummy smile until they enter their late teenage years.

Braces and Invisalign are unlikely to improve the appearance of a gummy smile.

Aligning the teeth will not treat the causes of a gummy smile. In fact, gum irritation from braces and Invisalign may cause gingival hyperplasia (more gum tissue), making a gummy smile worse.

The following treatment options are available for those concerned about a gummy smile:

• Orthognatic (jaw) surgery: expensive, and more risk and downtime compared with non-surgical options
• Gum lift to reduce excessive gum tissue: more expensive and painful than non-surgical treatments
• Cosmetic dentistry and veneers: good for short teeth, but costly and will permanently damage the underlying teeth
• Relaxing muscles: great for a gummy smile caused by strong lip lifting muscles
• Adding volume: an option for those with a thin top lip, helping to cover visible gum tissue

As everyone has their own belief about what is and isn’t attractive there is no definitive answer about whether a gummy smile is attractive. Some people do find gummy smiles to be an attractive facial feature while others prefer smiles without excessive gum show.

Gummy smile treatments are designed to create a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile by addressing the display of excessive gum tissue. This non-surgical approach often involves a combination of techniques.

One common method relaxes upper lip elevator muscles. By relaxing these muscles, the treatment helps to subtly lower the upper lip, reducing the amount of gum visible when you smile. In some cases, adding volume to your lips can make them fuller, concealing your gums when you smile. These treatments aim to achieve a natural-looking enhancement, ensuring your smile feels and looks confident.

Gummy smile treatments are known for being quite quick, often taking as little as 10 to 20 minutes to perform. The actual treatment itself is very fast, with most of the appointment time dedicated to a thorough consultation and assessment beforehand to ensure the best approach for your individual needs.

Most individuals find gummy smile treatments to be quite tolerable, with minimal discomfort. Any sensation experienced is usually fleeting, often described as a slight pinch or a brief sting. Practitioners also use techniques to enhance comfort during the treatment, aiming for a generally gentle experience.

For gummy smile treatments that involve relaxing the upper lip muscles, you’ll typically begin to see the results emerge gradually. It usually takes around 3 to 7 days to notice the initial effects, with the full outcome becoming visible within 1 to 2 weeks after the treatment.

If your treatment also includes lip volume, you’ll likely observe an immediate enhancement in lip shape and volume. However, the overall refined appearance of your smile, considering both aspects of the treatment, will settle in over the following days to weeks.

The longevity of gummy smile treatments can vary, but generally, treatments that relax upper lip muscles typically last between 3 to 4 months. Treatments for lip volume can last from 12-24 months depending on the product, and how your body metabolises it. To maintain your desired results, repeat treatments are necessary over time.

Following gummy smile treatments, you can generally expect a smooth and comfortable recovery. You might experience some very minor and temporary effects, such as slight redness or tenderness at the treatment sites, but these typically resolve quickly.

The most noticeable change will be the gradual settling of your upper lip, creating a more balanced smile as the muscle relaxation takes effect over the following week or two. If your lips were volumised, you’ll see an immediate enhancement, which will also settle naturally. Most individuals find they can return to their usual activities almost immediately after the procedure.

Gummy smile treatments are widely considered safe when administered by a skilled and experienced medical professional. These non-surgical procedures primarily involve relaxing muscles and adding volume, both of which have an established safety profile in cosmetic applications.

While generally safe, as with any treatment, there is a small risk of minor, temporary side effects such as localised bruising, swelling, or tenderness at the treatment sites. Serious complications are extremely rare. The key to ensuring safety lies in choosing a reputable clinic with practitioners who have a deep understanding of facial anatomy and who customise the treatment to your specific needs.