Showing too much gum when smiling? Gum Botox / Gummy Smile Treatment
Treatment for those who show gums when smiling,
Gum Botox for Gummy Smile
Ttukseom Seongsu Sio Clinic
Hello, this is Ttukseom Sio Clinic for those who show too much gum when smiling.
The phenomenon where gums are excessively exposed when smiling is commonly called a 'Gummy Smile.'
Medically, it refers to cases where more than 3mm of gum is exposed when smiling,
and it can act as a factor that affects one's impression and confidence beyond simple aesthetic concerns. In fact, many people complain of stress as they cover their mouths every time they smile during photos or conversations, or become self-conscious about their smiling expression.
A gummy smile is not just a dental issue, but appears due to a complex combination of lip and surrounding muscle movement, skeletal structure, and gum shape.
In particular, the most common cause is the excessive activity of the muscles that pull the upper lip upward.
When muscles such as the levator labii superioris and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi act strongly, the lip rises more than necessary when smiling, exposing more gum.
In addition, a short philtrum, lips curling upward when smiling, or structural causes such as a protruding upper jaw bone or teeth excessively covered by gums are also major causes of a gummy smile.
Therefore, rather than approaching it based solely on the result that “gums show a lot,” it is a priority to identify the exact cause of why it appears that way.
Gum Botox is an effective procedure for improving gummy smiles caused by excessive muscle movement among these causes. Botox works by temporarily regulating nerve transmission in the muscles to alleviate excessive contraction. By precisely injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin into specific muscles that pull the lip upward, you can control the lip so it does not rise excessively when smiling.
The important thing is not to stop the muscles completely, but to reduce only the excessive force while maintaining natural movement. If the dosage is excessive or the location is inaccurate, the smiling expression may become awkward or lip movement may become unnatural, so precise anatomical understanding and proficiency are essential.
In fact, gum Botox is not a procedure that is simply injected at one point.
Since every patient has a different way of smiling and different muscle strength on the left and right, pre-procedure expression analysis is important.
It is necessary to set the location and dosage for each case after checking the lip shape when smiling lightly and broadly, the presence of left-right asymmetry, and the movement of the corners of the mouth.
In particular, if only one side of the gum shows more or the corner of the mouth rises asymmetrically, the injection amount on the left and right must be adjusted differently to create a more natural and balanced result. This is why we must consider not just reducing gum exposure, but also improving the overall impression.
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 may occur where the smile becomes overly unnatural, strength is lost when using a straw, or certain pronunciations become awkward.
To reduce these side effects, it is important to start with the minimum effective dose rather than using a large amount from the beginning. Satisfaction is higher when approaching it at a level where you can see improvement while maintaining a natural expression.
It is safer to proceed with additional touch-ups while observing the progress if necessary.
The effect of gum Botox does not appear immediately after the procedure, but usually appears gradually after 3 to 5 days, and the most stable results can be confirmed after about 2 weeks. Although there are individual differences in the duration of the effect, it lasts for an average of 3 to 4 months.
Repeated procedures help not only for maintenance purposes but also to alleviate the movement of the muscles themselves. If managed at regular intervals, the muscles that were acting excessively gradually weaken, the duration of the effect lengthens, and sufficient effects can be expected with smaller doses later on.
However, not all gummy smiles can be solved with Botox.
If the cause is skeletal, such as a long or protruding upper jaw bone, improvement with Botox alone may be limited, and if it is a problem with tooth size or gum structure, dental treatment or gum contouring may be more appropriate.
Therefore, what is important is not unconditional treatment, but an accurate diagnosis. It is essential to check the cause of your gummy smile and determine if Botox is the most effective method.
Seongsu-dong gum Botox is not just a procedure to make gums show less, but a process of adjusting the balance of your smile and making your impression softer and more natural. Although it may seem like a small change, it is one of the procedures with very high satisfaction in that you can smile with confidence.
The key to the procedure is moderation. Maintaining a natural and comfortable smile while finding the expression you are most confident in is the most important goal of gum Botox. If you are worried about showing too much gum when you smile, please visit Sio Clinic.