Gummy Smile Botox in London
A gummy smile is a common cosmetic concern where the upper lip lifts higher than usual when smiling, exposing more gum tissue than teeth. Hyperactive muscles are among the most frequent causes of a gummy smile.
Gummy smile Botox may help address this pattern by relaxing the muscles in the upper lip that contract when you smile. Any treatment plan, and whether the procedure is appropriate at all, is confirmed through consultation and clinical assessment.
What Is Gummy Smile Botox?
Botox treatment for gummy smiles uses botulinum toxin type A to relax the elevator muscle responsible for lifting the upper lip. This is generally considered a minimally invasive procedure rather than a surgical correction.
In aesthetic practice, practitioners inject Botox at carefully selected points, typically along the lateral aspect of the upper lip, to help limit excessive movement of the lip during smiling.
As gummy smile Botox involves a prescription-only medicine, the procedure is only carried out following consultation and prescribing by a GMC-registered prescriber where clinically required.
Who This Treatment May Suit
Many patients exploring treatment for a gummy smile feel self-conscious about how much gum tissue shows when they smile, particularly where a hyperactive upper lip muscle has been identified as a contributing factor.
Suitability for this treatment approach always depends on facial anatomy, medical history, goals, and a thorough clinical assessment carried out before any injection plan is agreed.
Patients commonly exploring treatment options for a gummy smile include those with:
- A noticeable amount of gum tissue visible above the top teeth when smiling
- A hyperactive upper lip muscle identified during assessment
- A wish for a more proportionate smile without surgical correction
- No previous dental or surgical treatment for the concern
Reducing the Amount of Gum Shown When You Smile
For many patients, the main concern is simply how much gum tissue shows above the top teeth when smiling naturally. Gummy smile reduction with Botox is intended to help reduce the amount of gum on display rather than alter facial structure.
By relaxing the upper lip muscles responsible for the elevation of the upper lip, the procedure aims to bring the lip and gum line into better balance, working toward a more proportionate smile over time. Results vary between individuals.
Consultation and Pricing
Treatment suitability, the injection plan, and final cost are confirmed after consultation and clinical assessment. Pricing depends on facial anatomy, the extent of muscle involvement, and individual planning.
The figures below are general market guidance only, based on publicly advertised prices reviewed in July 2026 across 8 London clinics. These are not our clinic’s prices and may not include consultation fees, prescribing requirements, or individual treatment planning.
London market guide — Gummy Smile Botox
- Single treatment area: about £150–£400
- Follow-up or maintenance procedure: about £150–£400
- Combined treatment with other facial areas, such as lip filler: confirmed during consultation
Before and After Gummy Smile Botox
Following treatment, many patients report a gradual reduction in how much gum tissue shows above the top teeth when smiling. Outcomes vary between individuals and depend on facial anatomy and muscle response.
Photographs used in relation to this treatment represent individual patient outcomes and should not be taken as an indication of a similar result for every patient.
What patients may typically notice as results develop:
- A gradual reduction in the appearance of excess gum tissue when smiling
- A softened elevation of the upper lip
- An inproved balance between lip and teeth on display
- A natural smile that continues to move and express normally
- Most patients can continue speaking and eating normally, although individual responses vary
How Muscle Activity in the Upper Lip Influences a Gummy Smile
Several small muscles around the nose and upper lip, including the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, contract when you smile. When these are hyperactive, the muscle pulls the upper lip higher than usual, revealing an excessive amount of gum tissue.
Careful area selection and dosing, including the number of units of Botox used, are assessed for each patient, since the muscles which elevate the upper lip vary between individuals in strength and position.
Treatment Focus | What Is Usually Assessed | Intended Effect |
Upper lip elevator muscle | Degree of muscle activity during smiling | Reduced elevation of the upper lip |
Amount of gum tissue shown | Extent of gum line visible above top teeth | Aims to reduce the amount of gum on display |
Facial anatomy and lip length | Upper jaw, lip length, and tooth exposure | Individually tailored treatment plan |
Results, Longevity and Recovery
Initial changes are often reported within three to five days, with fuller results generally visible within around two weeks as the treated muscles settle into a more relaxed state.
Effects are commonly reported to last around 3-4 months before gradually wearing off, at which point patients may wish to discuss treatments to maintain their preferred appearance. Recovery is generally minimal, and most patients resume normal activities the same day.
Safety, Risks and Important Considerations
Gummy smile Botox involves a prescription-only medicine and requires appropriate clinical assessment, prescribing where clinically required, and informed consent before any Botox procedure is carried out.
Every treatment carries potential risks and considerations. Temporary effects such as mild bruising, swelling, or slight asymmetry in lip movement can occur following injection, and these are generally assessed and managed at a follow-up review.
This procedure is generally well tolerated by many patients following consultation, but it should never be presented as risk-free or automatically suitable regardless of anatomy or medical history.
Key considerations assessed before treatment:
- Medical history, including pregnancy or breastfeeding status
- The underlying causes of the gummy smile
- Previous reactions to botulinum toxin treatment
- Realistic expectations regarding outcome and duration
Why Choose London Aesthetics for Gummy Smile Botox
At our London clinic, every treatment begins with a careful assessment and personalised treatment plan. Any decision to use Botox for a gummy smile is based on clinical judgement and your individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our Specialists and Clinical Team
Treatment planning is based on international clinical experience and, where required, includes support from a GMC-registered prescriber for prescription-only medicines.
- Angelika is a fully insured UK aesthetic practitioner with over 8 years of international medical experience and an overseas medical degree, practising under full UK certification and insurance.
- Dr. Ivan is a GMC-registered prescriber who provides the required face-to-face consultation and prescribes prescription-only products where clinically appropriate.
Responsible Consultation and Treatment Planning
Every treatment plan for a gummy smile begins with a face-to-face consultation, allowing facial anatomy, medical history, and personal goals to be properly assessed before any decision is made.
Safety, Prescribing and Medical Standards
Where prescription-only medicines are appropriate, Dr. Ivan provides the consultation and prescribing, ensuring treatment follows recognised UK prescribing and safety standards.
Natural-Looking Results and Controlled Outcomes
Angelika’s technique is centred on subtle, structured outcomes, aiming to enhance your smile while maintaining natural smile movement.
Aftercare and Ongoing Support
Aftercare guidance is provided following each session, and patients are supported through any necessary review appointments to monitor how the treated area is responding over time.
What patients can expect from our approach:
- Consultation-led treatment planning from the outset
- GMC-registered prescribing where clinically required
- A structured, anatomy-led approach rather than a fixed protocol
- Ongoing review and aftercare support following treatment
Angelika is an aesthetic practitioner and not a medical doctor. Where prescription-only products are clinically appropriate, face-to-face consultation and prescribing are provided by GMC-registered prescriber Dr. Ivan. Treatment is available only to patients aged 18 and over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gummy smile Botox do?
Gummy smile Botox uses botulinum toxin injections to relax the elevator muscle responsible for lifting the upper lip, which may help reduce how much gum tissue is visible when smiling. It is designed to support a more proportionate smile rather than alter the underlying dental or bone structure, and is planned individually following clinical assessment of each patient’s facial anatomy.
Who is usually a suitable candidate for gummy smile Botox?
Adults over 18 who are concerned about excessive gingival display, meaning visible gum tissue when smiling, may be considered suitable candidates, particularly where a hyperactive lip muscle is identified as a contributing factor. Suitability always depends on individual anatomy, medical history, and treatment goals, which are assessed during a thorough face-to-face consultation.
How painful is Botox for gummy smile treatment?
Most patients describe the injections as involving only mild, brief discomfort, since the needles used are fine and the treated areas are small. Many describe the procedure as close to pain-free, and it typically takes around ten to fifteen minutes in total. Some practitioners may offer topical numbing where appropriate. Any discomfort generally resolves quickly once the short Botox procedure is complete.
How long do gummy smile Botox results usually last?
Results are commonly reported to last around 3-4 months, though this varies between individuals depending on facial anatomy and muscle activity. As the effect gradually wears off, the original elevation of the upper lip tends to return. Many patients choose to plan follow-up sessions as part of treatments to maintain their preferred appearance, as advised during consultation.
Are there risks or side effects with gummy smile Botox treatment?
As with any botulinum toxin treatment, temporary side effects such as mild bruising, swelling, or slight asymmetry in lip movement can occur. These are generally minor and often resolve without intervention, though they may require review. Gummy smile Botox is generally well tolerated by many patients, but it is never guaranteed or entirely risk-free, and individual suitability is always assessed carefully beforehand.
Is there any downtime after Botox treatment for gummy smiles?
Downtime is generally minimal, and most patients return to their usual daily activities immediately after treatment. Some may experience slight redness or tenderness at the injection sites for a short period. Full visible change typically develops gradually over the following days. Your practitioner will provide specific aftercare guidance relevant to your individual gummy smile with Botox treatment.
Can correcting a gummy smile with Botox be reversed, adjusted, or allowed to wear off if needed?
Botulinum toxin injections are not dissolved in the way a dermal or lip filler can be. Instead, their effect is temporary and gradually wears off naturally over several months. Future treatment can then be adjusted, repeated, or paused entirely depending on how your smile and preferences evolve, always following further clinical assessment and discussion about the right treatment for you.
How is the right treatment approach decided?
The right treatment for a gummy smile is determined through a face-to-face consultation, during which facial anatomy, the underlying causes, medical history, and personal goals are all carefully assessed. Where prescription-only products are involved, Dr. Ivan provides the required consultation and prescribing. This process helps ensure the treatment plan chosen is appropriate for your individual circumstances and expectations.