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My gums show a lot when I smile, Gum Botox / Gummy Smile Treatment

May 11, 2026shioclinic
My gums show a lot when I smile, Gum Botox / Gummy Smile Treatment

Treatment for people whose gums show when they smile,

Gum Botox Gummy Smile

SIO Clinic, Seongsu, Ttukseom

Hello, this is SIO Clinic in Ttukseom, where gums show a lot when smiling.

The phenomenon of excessive gum exposure when smiling is commonly called ‘Gummy Smile’.

Medically, it refers to cases where more than 3mm of gum is exposed when smiling,

and it can affect one's appearance and confidence beyond a simple aesthetic concern. In fact, many people cover their mouths every time they smile while taking photos or conversing, or feel stressed because they are conscious of their smiling expression itself.

A gummy smile is not just a dental issue, but a complex interplay of lip and surrounding muscle movements, skeletal structure, and gum shape.

In particular, the most common cause is the excessive activity of the muscles that pull the upper lip upwards.

When muscles such as the levator labii superioris and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi contract strongly, the lips rise more than necessary when smiling, exposing a lot of gums.

In addition, structural causes such as a short philtrum, lips curling upwards when smiling, or the upper jaw bone itself protruding, or teeth being excessively covered by gums, are also major causes of gummy smiles.

Therefore, rather than simply addressing the result of 'a lot of gums showing', it is important to first accurately identify the cause.

Gum botox is an effective procedure for improving gummy smiles caused by excessive muscle movement among these causes. Botox works by temporarily regulating nerve signals to muscles, thereby alleviating excessive contraction. By precisely injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin into specific muscles that pull the lips upward, we can control the lips so they do not rise excessively when smiling.

The important thing is not to completely stop the muscles, but to reduce excessive force while maintaining natural movement. If the dosage is excessive or the position is inaccurate, the smiling expression can become awkward or lip movement can become unnatural, so accurate anatomical understanding and proficiency are essential.

In fact, gum botox is not just a procedure of injecting at one point.

Since each patient smiles differently and the strength of the muscles on both sides varies, pre-procedure facial expression analysis is important.

The position and dosage should be set accordingly after checking the lip shape when smiling lightly and broadly, the presence of asymmetry on both sides, and the movement of the corners of the mouth.

Especially if only one side's gums show more or the corners of the mouth rise asymmetrically, the injection amount on both sides must be adjusted differently to achieve a more natural and balanced result. This is why it is important to consider improving the overall impression, not just reducing gum exposure.

The area around the mouth is directly connected to daily functions such as facial expressions, pronunciation, and eating. Therefore, excessive procedures can lead to functional discomfort.

Cases where the smile becomes excessively unnatural, or where one loses strength when using a straw, or certain pronunciations become awkward, can also occur.

To reduce these side effects, it is important to start with the minimum effective dose rather than using a large amount from the beginning. A high level of satisfaction can be achieved by approaching it at a level where the improvement effect can be confirmed while maintaining a natural expression.

If necessary, it is safer to proceed with additional adjustments while observing the progress.

The effects of gum botox do not appear immediately after the procedure, but gradually start to show from about 3-5 days later, with the most stable results visible after about 2 weeks. The duration of effect varies by individual, but it lasts for an average of 3-4 months.

Repeated procedures not only serve to maintain the effect but also help to relax the muscle movement itself. By managing it at regular intervals, the muscles that were overacting gradually weaken, extending the duration of the effect, and subsequently, a sufficient effect can be expected with a smaller dose.

However, not all gummy smiles can be resolved with botox.

If the cause is skeletal, such as a long or protruding upper jaw, the improvement may be limited with botox alone. If the problem is with tooth size or gum structure, dental treatment or gum contouring may be more appropriate.

Therefore, the important thing is not unconditional treatment, but accurate diagnosis. It is essential to identify the cause of your gummy smile and determine if botox is the most effective method.

Gum botox in Seongsu-dong is not just a procedure to make gums less visible, but a process of adjusting the balance of the smiling expression and making the overall impression softer and more natural. It may seem like a small change, but it is one of the procedures with very high satisfaction because it allows you to smile with confidence.

The key to the procedure is not to overdo it. The most important goal of gum botox is to find the expression you are most confident in, while maintaining a natural and comfortable smile. If you are concerned about your gums showing a lot when you smile, we hope you will consider SIO Clinic.

This article is adapted from SHIO Clinic's official Naver blog.

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