Treatment · Zürich Enge

Gummy Smile

When a broad band of gum shows while smiling, the cause usually lies not in the teeth but in unusually strong lip elevator muscles. Finely dosed relaxation of these muscles allows the upper lip to travel slightly less far upward.

At a glance

Treatment duration: 30 minutes
Downtime: None
Results visible: 3–10 days
Result lasts: 3–4 months
From: CHF 300

Indications

What this treatment is suited for

Clearly visible gum tissue when smiling
A perceived imbalance between lip, teeth, and gum
Highly active lip elevator muscles

Mechanism

How the treatment works

The upper lip is raised when smiling by several small muscles. Relaxing these very finely in the area between the nostril and upper lip reduces their travel by a few millimetres. The smile keeps its shape; simply less gum comes into view.

Procedure

The treatment procedure

The smile is assessed in motion to determine the extent and symmetry of gum display. One to two very small injections per side then follow. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

Aftercare

After the treatment

Remain upright for a few hours, avoid massaging the upper-lip area, no sports or sauna on the day of treatment.

Risks and side effects

Mild redness, swelling, or small bruises at the injection sites are possible. With excessive dosing, a temporarily asymmetric smile or restricted upper-lip movement can occur.

Contraindications

Not suitable for certain neuromuscular disorders, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or in the presence of infections in the treatment area. Gum display of skeletal or dental origin requires separate assessment.

Questions about the treatment

Frequently asked questions

Will my smile look different?

The shape of the smile is preserved — only how far the upper lip travels upward changes. With restrained dosing, the difference reads in everyday life as more harmonious, not as a different expression.

Who is this treatment not suitable for?

If the visible gum results from jaw position or tooth length, it cannot be influenced muscularly. In that case, the consultation will point toward dental or maxillofacial assessment.

This information serves general education and does not replace a personal consultation. Whether a treatment is suitable for you is determined solely in the course of an individual medical consultation. Content medically reviewed by Barbara Matziris.

Further treatments

Consultation

Consultation for Gummy Smile

Whether and to what extent this treatment is suitable for you is clarified in a free initial consultation in our clinic.

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