Gummy Smile Botox: 5 Important Things to Know Before Treatment
Gummy smile Botox can soften a smile that shows more gum than you would like. It works by relaxing muscles that pull your upper lip upward. This can help your lip stay lower when you smile. But the reason behind your gummy smile matters. Strong lip movement may be the cause, but your teeth, gums, or jaw can also play a role. That is why copying a treatment you saw online is rarely a good idea.
At Plump It Upp, we look at your smile, facial movement, and goals before recommending treatment. We offer Botox and Dysport from our Etobicoke clinic for clients across Toronto and the GTA. Thinking about treatment? Here are five things we want you to know before you book.
Gummy Smile Botox at a Glance
| Question | Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| What does it do? | Reduces upper-lip movement in suitable cases |
| Is it permanent? | No |
| When are results most noticeable? | Results begin to show in 5-7 days, with full results at 2 weeks after treatment |
| How long can results last? | Neuromodulator results typically last 3-4 months, however results vary by the individual |
| Is there downtime? | Usually no downtime, however there may be some mild redness for a few hours following the treatment |
| Is everyone a candidate? | No. The cause of your gummy smile matters |
| Botox or Dysport? | The right option depends on your needs |
1. Gummy Smile Botox Works Best When Lip Movement Is the Cause
A gummy smile means that more gum shows when you smile than you would like. The important part is figuring out why it happens. For some people, the muscles around the upper lip pull strongly when they smile. Botulinum toxin can relax some of that muscle activity. As a result, the upper lip may not lift as high.
Research has found that botulinum toxin can reduce excessive gum display in suitable patients. The effect is temporary and varies from person to person. But muscle movement is only one possible cause.
Your smile can also be affected by:
The size and shape of your teeth
The amount and position of your gum tissue
The length of your upper lip
The position of your upper jaw
Imagine two people who both show the same amount of gum. One has a very active upper lip. The other does not. Their smiles may look similar in a photo, but they may need very different care.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
You may be a good candidate if your upper lip lifts high when you smile. The treatment may help when strong muscle movement causes more gum to show. A consultation matters because you cannot always tell the cause from a mirror or selfie.
When you come to us for an injectable consultation, we look at your natural features, facial movement, and what you want to change. From there, we can discuss whether a Botox or Dysport treatment makes sense for you.
2. Good Results Should Still Look Like Your Smile
You may look at gummy smile Botox before and after photos to see what treatment can do. But photos do not always tell the whole story. The goal is not to hide as much gum as possible. You want your smile to look natural and still feel like yours. Your lips should also move comfortably when you laugh, talk, or eat.
When looking at before-and-after images, pay attention to:
How much gum is visible in each photo
Whether the smile still looks relaxed
Whether both sides look balanced
Whether the person is smiling with similar effort
When the after photo was taken
That last point matters. Neurotoxin results do not appear the moment you leave your appointment. So, we would not suggest using someone else's result as your exact treatment target. You may love their smile, but their lip movement can be very different from yours. Instead of asking, “Can I have this exact result?” it is more useful to think about what would look balanced on your face.
That is what we focus on when planning injectable treatments.
3. Results Take Time and Do Not Last Forever
You may check your smile right after treatment and wonder why nothing looks different yet. That is normal. Botox and Dysport results are not immediate. At Plump It Upp, we advise clients that results can take up to 14 days to appear. Give your treatment time to settle before judging the final change.
Our Botox and Dysport treatments generally last around three to four months. Some clients may go longer between appointments because everyone's anatomy is different. The results are temporary, so think about that before you book. If you like your results, you may choose to return for another treatment later.
When Should You Judge Your Result?
Try not to judge your result the same day as your appointment. We recommend allowing up to 14 days to see the treatment results. Photos can also make changes easier to compare. Use similar lighting, the same angle, and a similar smile each time. That gives you a much fairer before-and-after comparison.
4. Gummy Smile Botox Is Different From a Lip Flip
It is easy to confuse these two treatments. Both involve injections around the upper lip, and both can change how your smile looks. But they are used for different reasons. Gummy smile Botox aims to stop the upper lip from lifting quite so high. A lip flip relaxes part of the muscle around your mouth, helping more of your upper lip remain visible.
| Gummy smile Botox | Lip flip |
|---|---|
| Helps reduce visible gum | Helps more of the upper lip show |
| Targets muscles that lift the upper lip | Targets part of the muscle around the mouth |
| May suit people with strong upper-lip movement | May suit people whose upper lip curls inward when smiling |
Neither treatment adds volume like lip filler.
Should You Choose Botox or Dysport?
We offer both Botox and Dysport. They work in similar ways but are different products. You do not need to make that choice before your appointment. We can discuss your previous treatments, facial movement, and what you hope to achieve.
5. Know the Risks and Plan Your Aftercare
You can usually get back to most daily activities after Botox or Dysport. You may have some redness, swelling, bruising, or mild soreness where the injections were given. These effects are usually temporary. The muscles around your upper lip need careful treatment. They help you smile, speak, and eat. If nearby muscles are affected, your smile may look uneven, or your lip may move differently.
Before treatment, we ask about your health, medications, and allergies. We also explain possible side effects and check whether treatment is suitable for you. Botox and Dysport are generally avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What Should You Avoid After Treatment?
You probably won't need to take the day off. However, you will need to make a few small changes to your routine.
Here are our general Botox and Dysport aftercare instructions:
Stay upright for four hours. Avoid lying flat or bending over for long periods.
Skip hard workouts for 24 hours. Save your next gym session for another day.
Avoid alcohol and smoking for 24 hours.
Leave makeup off for 24 hours to help reduce infection risk.
Use ice for short periods if you notice mild swelling, bruising, or soreness.
We will also explain our advice on aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and blood-thinning medication. If you take prescribed medication, speak with your prescribing clinician before making any changes.
Have a gym class or evening plans? Choose an appointment time that makes following these instructions easier.
How Much Does Gummy Smile Botox Cost in Toronto?
The cost of gummy smile Botox depends on your treatment plan. How your upper lip moves, the product used, and the amount needed can all affect the price.
Botox and Dysport are measured differently, so comparing their prices per unit can be misleading. It is better to ask about the total cost of your treatment. We know price matters when you are considering any cosmetic treatment. Contact us to discuss our Botox and Dysport services, available options, and current pricing.
Is Gummy Smile Botox Right for You?
If your upper lip lifts high when you smile, Botox may help reduce how much gum shows. But it depends on what causes your gummy smile. If your teeth, gums, or jaw are the main reason, you may need a different approach.
You don't have to figure that out yourself. We can look at how your upper lip moves and talk about what you would like to change. If Botox isn't suitable, we'll explain why. Our clinic is in Etobicoke, and we welcome clients from Toronto and across the GTA. If your gummy smile has been bothering you, book a consultation with us. We'll discuss your options so you can decide what feels right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does gummy smile Botox change your smile?
Gummy smile Botox can change how high your upper lip rises when you smile. The aim is usually a subtle reduction in gum show, not a completely different smile. Your result depends on your anatomy, muscle activity, and treatment plan.
How long does gummy smile Botox last?
The effect is temporary and fades as muscle activity returns. Our Botox and Dysport results commonly last around three to four months, although the exact timeline varies from person to person.
When will I see gummy smile Botox results?
Do not expect the final result on treatment day because neurotoxins need time to work. Research on gummy smile treatment has found stronger effects within the first few weeks. So give your treatment time before judging the change.
Is gummy smile Botox the same as a lip flip?
No, the treatments can involve nearby muscles, but their goals differ. Gummy smile treatment aims to reduce excessive upper-lip elevation in suitable cases. A lip flip generally helps more of the upper lip show without adding filler.
Can Dysport be used instead of Botox?
Botox and Dysport are both neurotoxins that temporarily reduce muscle activity. We offer both at Plump It Upp. We can discuss which option may suit your needs after looking at your facial movement, history, and goals.
What if my gummy smile is caused by my teeth or jaw?
Neurotoxin treatment may not help if your gummy smile is mainly caused by your teeth, gums, or jaw structure. That is exactly why we start by looking at your smile rather than assuming Botox is automatically the answer.