There is a huge variation in how different people smile—not only in the degree to which their faces become animated but also in the amount of teeth and gum exposed. In some cases, smiling reveals a significant portion of the gum area, commonly referred to as a gummy smile.
If you’re happy with the way you smile, all’s well and good. However, Botox can offer a simple, effective, and non-surgical solution for those who wish they didn’t show so much of their gum area. Correcting one’s smile with Botox can help create a more balanced and confident appearance, significantly improving self-confidence.
Causes of Gummy Smiles
Understanding the cause of a gummy smile is essential when evaluating how Botox can help. Gummy smiles can result from hyperactive upper lip muscles, which cause the upper lip to rise too high and reveal more gum tissue. Other common causes include having an unusually short upper lip, excessive gum tissue growth, or simply having a particular combination of genetic factors that control one’s lip shape, gum size, and jaw structure.
How Can Botox Help?
Botox, or Botulinum toxin, works by blocking (fully or partially) nerve signals that cause muscles to contract.
If a gummy smile is due to hyperactive muscles that elevate the upper lip too far, then injecting Botox into these specific muscles can limit the movement of the upper lip. This results in the reduction or elimination of gum exposure when smiling.
The Botox Procedure
The initial part of the Botox procedure is a thorough examination of the patient’s facial anatomy, the way that their facial muscles activate when smiling, and any significant medical history. The complex ways that these factors interact will allow an experienced practitioner to decide how effectively Botox can be used to resolve the problem.
Using Botox effectively also involves carefully checking that any problem is not over-corrected. The objective is not just to correct this one specific issue but to do so while ensuring that the patient’s smile remains balanced and natural-looking.
Once the practitioner has identified the specific locations where Botox is to be applied, as well as the amount of Botox to be used, the procedure can begin. After cleaning the area to be treated, a topical anesthetic is applied, and the procedure continues with the injection of Botox using very fine needles. The process normally takes no more than 15 minutes.
Time For Results to Develop
Initial results normally develop within 3 to 5 days, while the full results may take a week or two to develop.
Botox does not have a permanent effect – the actual duration of the benefits from a Botox treatment varies between patients, but typically lasts 3 or 4 months before a repeat procedure may be required. Future treatments can take into account how effectively the problem was treated, and fine-tune the approach if required.
Choosing a Practitioner
The way we smile is a very important part of the way we present ourselves to others. It’s extremely important that any treatment results in a natural-looking smile. The skill and experience of the practitioner are a vital part of accomplishing this; you should not assume that everyone performing Botox treatments is equally competent. It really pays to take the time to question practitioners and see examples of their work before deciding who is to perform the procedure for you.
Your Laser Skin Care
Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and have extensive experience in performing Botox procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.
