Gummy Smile: How to Get Rid of a Gummy Smile and Smile Without Embarrassment

Do you feel like you show more gum than you’d like when you smile? You’re not alone—a “gummy smile” affects the self-confidence and joy of smiling in one-third of young adults. Fortunately, there are a variety of solutions available today—from invisible braces to Botox to laser treatments. Let’s explore them and decide which approach is right for you!

What is a gummy smile, and why does it occur?

Agummy smile is a cosmetic issue in which significantly more gum tissue is exposed than usual when smiling. People often describe it as their “gums swallowing half their teeth.”

Although this condition does not affect your health per se, it often undermines your self-confidence.

From a medical standpoint, it is considered aesthetically excessive if more than 3 mm of gum tissue is visible when smiling (Ureña et al., 2023).

How does a gummy smile develop?

There are generally three main causes (Mercado-García et al., 2021):

1. Overactive upper lip – the muscles lift the lip too high.
2. Short or underdeveloped teeth, or excessively long gums.
3. High jaw position – the jaw may protrude downward and forward.

These factors may overlap and require a more comprehensive solution.

How to get rid of a gummy smile? Treatment options

Invisalign clear aligners as the primary treatment option

Invisalign clear aligners are an excellent tool not only for straightening teeth, but also for correcting the position of the entire jaw. Thanks to advanced 3D planning, we can also adjust the vertical position of the teeth and gums, which naturally reduces the visibility of the gums when you smile.

In brief:

• Gentle and aesthetically pleasing metal-free treatment.
• Long-term effect – we don’t just treat the symptoms, but the underlying causes.
• The ability to monitor progress remotely using Virtual Care.
• Consultation, assessment, implementation, and a personalized plan.

Gummy smile and Botox or hyaluronic acid – a quick but temporary solution

• Botulinum toxin (Botox) is injected into the muscles that lift the upper lip, thereby reducing their activity. This causes the upper lip to drop, resulting in less gum exposure. Results are visible within 1–2 weeks, the effect lasts 3–6 months, and patients are highly satisfied with the results. Side effects are minimal, but the treatment must be repeated to maintain the effect (Nasr et al., 2016; Haas-Junior et al., 2023).

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are administered to specific areas of the face, where they relax the muscles responsible for excessive lip lifting. This results in immediate improvement that lasts approximately 6–8 months. This method is also considered safe and non-invasive (Cavallini et al., 2018; Sharif & Aghayan, 2023).

In brief:

• Ideal for those who want quick results and are willing to renew the solution regularly.
• The downside is that the treatment must be repeated.

• Both methods are safe and non-invasive.

Gingivectomy and laser gum reshaping

If the cause is excess gum tissue, a gingivectomy — the surgical or laser removal of the excess tissue—will help. 

The laser option is more precise and gentler.

In brief:

• The laser minimizes bleeding and shortens healing time.
• Risks: sensitivity, redness, but minimal thanks to gentle technology.
• The results may be permanent, but the procedure does not focus on correcting the jaw.

Gummy Smile: Cost of Correction for All Options

Overview of approximate prices:

Estimated cost of gummy smile correction procedures:

• Invisalign braces starting at 62,900 CZK
• Botox and hyaluronic acid: approx. 3,000–5,000 CZK per treatment
• Laser gingivectomy: approx. 8,000–20,000 CZK, depending on the extent of the procedure

Please keep in mind that:

• Invisalign braces typically require a higher upfront investment, but they offer long-term results and a more comprehensive improvement in the appearance of your teeth and gums. 

Tip: Here at Svět rovnátek, we offer severalfinancing options , including installment plans with no extra fees.

• Botox and hyaluronic acid are the most affordable options for the first month, but the price goes up with each subsequent treatment.
• Laser treatments tend to be moderately expensive, and health insurance usually does not cover them.

When should you decide to undergo treatment, and how do you choose the right method?

If you’re bothered by the excessive exposure of your gums when you smile, don’t wait until the situation worsens or further affects your self-confidence. A gummy smile can be treated gently and effectively today —you just need to find out what’s causing it and which options are best for you.

The best time to make a decision? Right now—when you’re just starting to think about treatment. You don’t have to know right away whether it will be fillers, Botox, orthodontics, or surgery. That’s what we’re here for.

During a free, no-obligation consultation at Svět rovnátek:

• We'll perform a quick scan of your teeth,
• We'll create a 3D visualization of your current and future smile,
• Together, we’ll take a look at why the lip lifts excessively or the gums become exposed,
• We will design a personalized treatment plan based on the cause, extent, and your preferences,
• we will discuss the possible methods, their effectiveness, duration, and costs,
• and we'll discuss any next steps.

All this in a calm and friendly environment, with no pressure and no obligations. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options and a concrete plan for taking your smile to the next level.

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Recommended Reading: Svět rovnátek: Reviews and Customer Experiences 

You often ask

How can I get rid of a gummy smile?

 It depends on the cause. If the problem is related to the shape of the smile, Invisalign aligners can help. If it’s due to muscle activity, Botox or hyaluronic acid can be used. If there is excess gum tissue, a gingivectomy or laser correction can resolve the issue.

What is a gummy smile?

Agummy smile is a condition in which an unnaturally large amount of gum tissue is visible when you smile. It is often caused by a combination of genetic predisposition, tooth growth, jaw alignment, and muscle activity. It is most commonly treated for aesthetic reasons.

How much does a smile makeover cost?

Prices vary: Botox costs around 3,000–5,000 CZK per treatment, laser gingivectomy costs 8,000–20,000 CZK depending on the extent of the procedure, and Invisalign treatment starts at approximately 70,000 CZK. The advantage of Invisalign is its long-lasting, comprehensive results and the option to pay in installments.

You might be interested in these articles:

• Braces before and after: How do they transform your smile? 
• Patient experience 
• Braces at any age, for children and adults  
• Broken teeth after braces: prevention and solution
• How to relieve tooth pain when wearing braces? 

Sources used

• Cavallini, M., Sito, G., Patrizia, P., & Diaspro, A. (2018). Gummy Smile Treatment: Proposal for a Novel Corrective Technique and a Review of the Literature. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 38, 1330–1338. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjy174‍
• Haas-Junior, O., Rojo-Sanchis, C., Paredes-Gallardo, V., Montiel-Company, J., Guijarro-Martínez, R., Tarazona-Álvarez, B., & Peiró-Guijarro, M. (2023). Non-Surgical Management of the Gingival Smile with Botulinum Toxin A—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041433
• Mercado-García, J., Rosso, P., Gonzalvez-García, M., Colina, J., & Fernández, J. M. (2021). Gummy Smile: Mercado-Rosso Classification System and Dynamic Restructuring with Hyaluronic Acid. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 45(5), 2338–2349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02169-8 
• Nasr, M., Kechichian, E., Jabbour, S., Sidaoui, J., & Haber, R. (2016). Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Excessive Gingival Display: A Systematic Review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 36(1), 82–8. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv082 
• Ureña, M., Jaramillo, M., Sarmiento, V., Quezada, P., Guzmán, D., Pineda, P., Arias, J., Faicán, A., Tenorio, K., & García, B. (2023). GUMMY SMILE, PANORAMIC REVIEW, DESCRIPTION, ETIOLOGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY, TREATMENT, AND PROGNOSIS. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR). https://doi.org/10.36713/epra14765. 
• Sharif, H., & Aghayan, S. (2023). New Approaches for Gummy Smile Treatment: A Review. Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences. https://doi.org/10.52547/jrdms.8.2.154 

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