Excessive gingival display, or a “gummy smile” as it is more commonly called, is a cosmetic condition that occurs when the upper gums are too prominent when smiling. Bo-tox has been shown to effectively treat the appearance of a gummy smile and is a much more manageable procedure to receive than surgery.
Bo-tox works by paralysing the hyperactive muscles in the upper lip, reducing its elevation and ultimately reducing the inhibiting ‘gummy smile’. Very often those with gummy smiles try to control and minimise their smile and some feel so self-conscious that they prefer not to smile at all.
A drop of bo-tox either side of the nose helps to relax the muscles lifting the lip excessively, allowing less gum to show when smiling. Typical bo-tox treatment for a gummy smile includes a single injection at the ‘Yonsei Point’ on either side of the nose, and lasts for around 3 months before needing repeated.