Gummy Smile

During a treatment of Botox for a gummy smile, a small amount of Botulinum toxin will be injected into both sides of the face, at the junction of nostril and nose to mouth fold. This is done to weaken the muscles.

Botulinum toxin, often referred to as Botox®, is a naturally occurring protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. The toxin blocks the transition of chemical messages sent from the nerve that would cause the muscle to contract. Without these messages, the muscle stays in a resting state until the ‘messengers’ recover.

Licensed brands of botulinum toxin A include:

• Botox®
• Azzalure®
• Bocouture®
• Xeomin®
• Dysport®

All botulinum toxins are prescription only medicines (POM) and can only be prescribed by doctors, dentists, prescribing nurses, and pharmacists with a prescribing qualification. Even then, they can only be prescribed following a face-to-face assessment and consultation with the qualified prescriber. 

This consultation MUST be with a doctor, nurse prescriber, dentist or a prescribing pharmacist.

After your gummy smile treatment, you can expect to start seeing a difference within 2-3 days, when the elevation of the upper lip will gradually become less . The full result will be achieved 2 weeks after the treatment.

You may be invited to attend a review appointment 2-3 weeks after your session. During this, the success of the treatment may be assessed and any necessary adjustments to your personal treatment plan will be made.

Recovery from treating a gummy smile with Botox takes approximately 8-12 weeks on average.

Results tend to last 3-4 months.

Movement will begin recovering from 8 weeks.

Frequent treatment at intervals of less than 3 months is NOT recommended.

Your practitioner will take a detailed medical history and an assessment of your needs and expectations to ensure that Botox for a gummy smile is the appropriate treatment for you. Botulinum Toxin (commonly referred to as Botox) is a prescription only medicine. This means that you MUST have a face-to-face consultation with a licensed prescriber to assess whether you are suitable for treatment. 

*This MUST be with a doctor, nurse prescriber, dentist or a prescribing pharmacist.

• Except in exceptional circumstances, this is not a treatment recommended for those under 25 or over 65.
• For best results, skin should be in good condition and the target lines not too furrowed. Your practitioner will assess your suitability and advise accordingly.
• Botulinum toxin cannot be given to pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Not suitable for patients with certain neurological disorders.
• Not suitable if you are currently taking certain medicines.
• Not suitable if you have previously experienced adverse reactions to any botulinum toxin treatment.

As with any injectable treatment, Botox for gummy smiles is not recommended if:

• You are suffering from any skin infection in or near the treatment area, or are unwell in any way (even a cold).
• You are taking any medicines which affect bleeding, such as aspirin or warfarin.
• You are currently taking or have recently completed a course of Roacutane (acne treatment) in the last 18 months.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Take Caution:

• If you are planning to attend a special event when a bruise, should it occur, would be unacceptable to you.
• If you are planning to attend an important event and any adverse event described would be unacceptable to you, discuss this with your clinician ahead of your treatment.
• Some over the counter medicines and supplements can also affect bleeding (and therefore make you more prone to bruising).
• Alcohol should be avoided the day before and after treatment.
• Vigorous exercise, sun exposure, sun beds, and saunas should be avoided for 48 hours, or as advised by your clinician, after treatment.

If you are at all concerned about symptoms you were not expecting or are not happy with, please contact your practitioner for advice. If necessary, an appointment will be made for you to be seen. 

All treatments carry a degree of risk. All risks and complications will be discussed with you at consultation and prior to any treatment being agreed. Botulinum Toxin should only ever be administered by a healthcare professional with specialist training. 

Side effects include, but are not limited to:

• Bruising
• Swelling at injection sites
• Redness at injection sites
• Asymmetry of expression
• Drooping of the brow or eyelid
• Headaches, or a sensation of ‘tightness’ or ‘heaviness’

Adverse events are uncommon, and usually occur within a few days of treatment. They are expected to be temporary, usually resolving spontaneously within weeks. Your practitioner will provide aftercare advice designed to minimise risk and promote speedy recovery from any expected side effects.

A very fine needle is used for this treatment. It is generally not painful, and can be well tolerated with no anaesthetic. Ice may be helpful in numbing the skin for nervous patients as well as reducing the risk of a bruise.

Patients can resume normal day to day activity immediately after the treatment of a gummy smile with Botox.

You may be advised to avoid alcohol, vigorous exercise, sun bathing, and extremes of heat or cold for a few days post-treatment. Your practitioner will go over the specifics of your aftercare with you during your appointment.

In the UK, the cost of botox for a gummy smile is typically between £150-£350. The exact price is likely to vary depending on the clinic, the practitioner, and the specific treatment plan.

To feature in the Save Face database, a practitioner needs to have passed every aspect of our 116-point assessment. By organising your treatment through Save Face, you know for certain that the practitioner you’re choosing:

• Is who they say they are.
• Is a registered nurse/midwife, doctor, dentist or prescribing pharmacist with specialist training and insurance in each treatment listed on their profile.
• Uses licensed products sourced from reputable suppliers.
• Has all of the necessary paperwork in place to protect you from undue risk and harm.
• Has a safe and hygienic clinic.

Start your search here to find the practitioner that’s right for you and your gummy smile treatment plan.