You know that feeling when you're laughing at a joke and suddenly catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror or a phone screen? For some of us, it’s not just teeth. It's gum. A lot of gum. It’s called a gingival display, but most people just call it a gummy smile. If you’ve been scouring the internet for gummy smile botox before and after photos, you’ve likely seen the magic trick: one minute someone has a high-octane upper lip that disappears into their nose, and the next, they have this perfectly balanced, "Hollywood" smile. It looks like surgery. It’s not. It’s just a couple of units of a neurotoxin.
Honestly, it’s wild how much power a tiny needle holds.
But here’s the thing. Most people think you just poke the lip and call it a day. That’s not how it works. It’s actually about anatomy, specifically a muscle with a name so long it sounds like a Harry Potter spell: the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi. If that muscle is too hyperactive, it pulls your lip up too high. Botox relaxes it. Simple, right? Well, sort of.
The Reality of the Gummy Smile Botox Before and After Transition
The change isn't instant. If you walk out of the clinic expecting a new face, you’re going to be disappointed. For the first 48 hours, you’ll feel exactly the same. Around day four or five, you might notice your upper lip feels a little "heavy" or "lazy" when you try to brush your teeth. By day ten? That’s when the gummy smile botox before and after magic actually hits the mirror.
Your lip stays lower. It covers the gum line.
Dr. Sarah Shah, a well-known aesthetic doctor, often points out that the goal isn't to freeze the face. You still want to be able to smile. If a practitioner overdoes it, you end up with "The Grinch" look—a long, flat upper lip that doesn't move at all. You want a subtle drop, usually reducing the gum show to less than two millimeters. That’s the sweet spot for a natural look.
Why Does the Lip Flip Up Anyway?
It’s usually one of three things. Sometimes it’s just the way your jaw grew (skeletal). Sometimes your teeth didn’t erupt fully (dental). But for the vast majority of people looking for a quick fix, it’s muscular. Your "lip lifter" muscles are just overachievers.
Think of it like a curtain. If the pulley is too tight, the curtain goes all the way to the ceiling. Botox just loosens the pulley.
What People Get Wrong About the Procedure
There’s this weird myth that Botox in the upper lip makes your lips look huge. It doesn't. That’s filler. Botox relaxes; filler volumizes. Now, there is something called a "Botox Lip Flip" which is often done alongside gummy smile treatment. While they’re related, they aren't the same. The gummy smile injection targets the muscles alongside the nose to stop the "lift," whereas a lip flip targets the orbicularis oris (the muscle around the mouth) to roll the lip outward.
If you do both? You get a lower gum line and a poutier lip. It’s a killer combo.
The Cost-Benefit Breakdown
Let's talk money because, honestly, that's what everyone cares about. Surgery to reposition the lip or shave down the jaw can cost $5,000 to $15,000. It involves scalpels and weeks of swelling.
Botox for a gummy smile?
Usually 2 to 4 units.
Depending on where you live, that’s $50 to $150.
It takes ten minutes.
The catch? It doesn't last forever. You're looking at a refresh every 3 to 4 months. Because the mouth is so active—talking, eating, kissing—the body metabolizes the toxin faster there than it does in, say, the forehead. You have to decide if the "subscription" to a better smile is worth it for you.
Risks Nobody Mentions in the Instagram Captions
Everything has a downside. You’ve seen the perfect gummy smile botox before and after shots, but have you seen the "oops" moments?
If the injection is asymmetrical, your smile will be crooked. One side of your lip might go up while the other stays down. It’s awkward. Also, because you’re relaxing the muscles used for suction, some people find it tricky to use a straw for a week or two. If you’re a professional flute player or a trumpet enthusiast, you might want to skip this one.
- Asymmetry: One side relaxes more than the other.
- Speech changes: Pronouncing "P" and "B" sounds can feel slightly different for a few days.
- The "Long Lip" effect: If your philtrum (the space between your nose and lip) is already long, Botox can make it look even longer, which can actually age the face.
A skilled injector—we're talking a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon—will look at your face at rest and in motion before they even touch the syringe. They should be checking how much of your teeth show when you're just talking. If you lose your tooth show, you've lost your youthfulness.
Real Examples: What to Look For
When you're looking at portfolios, don't just look at the smile. Look at the nose.
A lot of the muscles that cause a gummy smile also flare the nostrils. When the Botox kicks in, you might notice your nose looks slightly narrower or the tip doesn't drop as much when you laugh. This is a common "side effect" that most people actually love.
One patient I spoke with, let’s call her Jenna, had been self-conscious about her "horse-like" smile for twenty years. She got 2 units of Botox on each side of her nose. She said the biggest change wasn't just the mirror; it was the fact that she stopped covering her mouth with her hand when she laughed. That’s the real "after" in gummy smile botox before and after—the confidence.
The Treatment Process: A Step-by-Step
- Consultation: They ask you to "smile big" or "smile like you just won the lottery."
- Cleaning: A quick swipe of alcohol.
- The Poke: Two tiny pricks on either side of the nostrils. It feels like a quick pinch, maybe a 2/10 on the pain scale.
- The Wait: You leave. No workout for 24 hours. No rubbing your face.
- Results: Total transformation by day 14.
Is It Right For You?
If you have what's known as "Vertical Maxillary Excess"—basically a long upper jaw—Botox might only be a band-aid. You might need a maxillofacial surgeon for a permanent fix. But if you’re just someone whose lip disappears when they get excited, Botox is the gold standard.
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It's also a great "test drive." If you hate it? It wears off. No permanent damage done. You just wait a few months and your old smile is back.
Most people don't realize that the "perfection" they see on screen is often just smart maintenance. We live in an era where you can tweak almost anything. But should you? That's personal. If your smile makes you happy, keep the gums. If it makes you hide, fix it.
Actionable Steps for Your First Appointment
Don't just walk into a "medspa" with a Groupon. This is your face.
Research the injector's credentials. Look for "CANS" (Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist) or board certification in dermatology. Ask how many gummy smile cases they do a week. It’s a niche injection site.
Start small. You can always add more, but you can't take it out. Ask for the minimum effective dose. You want to look like you, just on a really good day.
Document your own journey. Take a "before" photo in natural light, laughing as hard as you can. Do the same at the two-week mark. The difference will likely surprise you more than any stock photo ever could.
Watch for the "shelf" effect. If you feel like your lip is hanging like a shelf over your teeth, tell your injector. They can adjust the placement next time to ensure the muscle relaxation is higher up.
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Budget for the year. Since this wears off, if you love it, you’ll need about three appointments a year. Factor that into your beauty budget so it’s not a shock when your "gummy" look starts creeping back in.
Check your dental health first. Sometimes gum overgrowth is caused by gingivitis or certain medications. See a dentist to make sure your gums are healthy before you try to hide them with Botox. If the issue is actually excess gum tissue covering the teeth, a "gingivectomy" (laser gum contouring) might be a better, more permanent solution than Botox.
Wait for the full 14 days. Do not call your doctor on day three complaining it didn't work. The molecular bond between the Botox and the nerve endings takes time. Patience is literally part of the procedure.
Avoid blood thinners. For 48 hours before your appointment, skip the aspirin and the glass of wine. Bruising right under the nose is very hard to hide with concealer and makes it look like you have a tiny, colorful mustache.
Think about your wedding or event timeline. If you’re doing this for a big event, get your injections at least three to four weeks in advance. This gives the results time to settle and gives you a window for a "top-up" if one side is slightly uneven. Never get Botox for the first time three days before your wedding.