Gummy smile correction refers to treatments used to reduce excessive gum visibility during smiling when the amount of gingival display is a concern for the patient.

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A gummy smile is not caused by one single problem. Excessive gingival display may be related to the gums, teeth, upper lip, upper jaw or a combination of these factors.

For this reason, the most appropriate treatment cannot be selected simply by choosing between laser gum contouring and surgery.

Depending on the underlying cause, treatment options may include:

gum contouring or aesthetic crown lengthening;
botulinum toxin injections in selected patients;
lip repositioning surgery;
orthodontic treatment;
orthognathic jaw surgery in selected skeletal cases;
a combination of treatments.

Clinic Care Center is a medical tourism provider that coordinates dental treatment for international patients. Diagnosis, periodontal assessment, treatment selection and clinical procedures are carried out by the treating dental or medical professional at the relevant healthcare facility.

You can also explore our Dental Treatments in Turkey section.

What Is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile, medically described as excessive gingival display, occurs when a relatively large amount of upper gum tissue becomes visible during smiling.

There is no single measurement that defines a medical disorder in every patient.

Published studies and clinical reviews use different thresholds, often ranging from more than approximately 2 mm to 4 mm of visible gingiva.

Smile aesthetics are also subjective.

Some people are comfortable with several millimetres of gingival display and do not require treatment, while others may be concerned about a smaller amount.

Treatment should therefore be based on:

the cause of the gingival display;
facial and dental anatomy;
oral health;
patient expectations;
clinical assessment.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Excessive gingival display can have several causes.

Common factors include:

altered passive eruption;
excess gingival tissue;
a short upper lip;
a hypermobile or hyperactive upper lip;
vertical maxillary excess;
dentoalveolar extrusion;
tooth position;
short clinical crowns;
gingival enlargement;
a combination of several anatomical factors.

Because different causes can produce a similar smile appearance, diagnosis should come before treatment selection.

What Is Altered Passive Eruption?

Altered passive eruption is a condition in which the gum margin remains positioned farther over the anatomical crown of the tooth than expected.

This can make the visible teeth appear relatively short and increase the amount of gum shown during smiling.

Assessment may involve:

tooth proportions;
gingival margins;
periodontal probing;
bone position relative to the teeth;
appropriate dental imaging when required.

When altered passive eruption is the main cause, periodontal treatment such as aesthetic crown lengthening may be considered.

What Is a Hypermobile Upper Lip?

A hypermobile upper lip moves upward more than expected during smiling.

The teeth and gums may otherwise have relatively normal proportions, but excessive lip elevation exposes more gingiva.

Depending on the individual case, treatment discussions may include:

botulinum toxin type A;
lip repositioning surgery;
other individualized approaches.

Gum removal alone would not correct excessive lip movement.

What Is Vertical Maxillary Excess?

Vertical maxillary excess refers to excessive vertical development of the upper jaw.

This can contribute to increased gingival display and may also affect:

facial proportions;
lip position;
tooth display;
bite relationship.

When skeletal anatomy is a major contributor, simple gum contouring may not address the underlying cause.

Selected patients may require orthodontic assessment, oral and maxillofacial surgical assessment or both.

How Is the Cause of a Gummy Smile Diagnosed?

Assessment should evaluate the entire smile rather than the gums alone.

Depending on the patient, evaluation may include:

facial proportions;
upper-lip length;
upper-lip movement during smiling;
amount of tooth visible at rest and during smiling;
tooth length and proportions;
gingival levels;
periodontal health;
bite and tooth position;
bone levels around the teeth;
jaw proportions.

Dental radiographs or cephalometric analysis may be appropriate when dental, periodontal or skeletal factors need further assessment.

What Are the Treatment Options for a Gummy Smile?

Possible Cause	Possible Treatment Discussion
Excess gingival tissue / altered passive eruption	Gingivectomy or aesthetic crown lengthening depending on anatomy
Hypermobile upper lip	Botulinum toxin or lip repositioning in selected patients
Dentoalveolar tooth-position problem	Orthodontic treatment may be considered
Vertical maxillary excess	Orthodontic and/or orthognathic assessment
Short clinical crowns	Periodontal and restorative assessment
Mixed causes	Combination treatment may be required

The table provides general examples only. Final treatment depends on individual diagnosis.

What Is Laser Gum Contouring?

Laser gum contouring generally refers to the use of a dental laser to reshape or remove selected gingival tissue.

It may be appropriate when excess soft tissue contributes to the appearance of short teeth or excessive gingival display.

However, the word laser describes the instrument used to treat tissue, not the diagnosis.

A laser cannot correct:

vertical maxillary excess;
a hypermobile upper lip;
significant tooth-position problems;
every form of altered passive eruption.

Laser Gingivectomy vs Aesthetic Crown Lengthening

These terms should not automatically be treated as identical.

A gingivectomy primarily involves removal or reshaping of gingival soft tissue.

Aesthetic crown lengthening may involve soft-tissue reshaping and, in selected patients, modification of the underlying bone when necessary to create an appropriate relationship between the tooth, bone and gingival margin.

The treating dental professional should determine whether soft-tissue treatment alone is appropriate.

Does Laser Gum Contouring Permanently Fix a Gummy Smile?

Not in every patient.

Outcome stability depends on:

the underlying diagnosis;
amount of gingival tissue removed;
bone position;
periodontal anatomy;
healing response;
whether another cause of excessive gingival display remains untreated.

If excessive gingival display is caused primarily by lip movement or skeletal anatomy, gingival contouring alone may produce an incomplete result.

What Is Lip Repositioning Surgery?

Lip repositioning is a surgical technique intended to reduce how far the upper lip moves upward during smiling.

The procedure generally involves removing a strip of oral mucosa inside the upper lip and repositioning the tissue to limit excessive superior movement.

Because the incision is typically inside the mouth, there is generally no external facial incision.

Different modifications of lip repositioning have been described.

How Effective Is Lip Repositioning?

Systematic review and meta-analysis data show that lip repositioning can reduce excessive gingival display in appropriately selected patients.

However, results vary according to technique and patient anatomy.

Research has also shown that some reduction in the initial effect can occur during longer-term follow-up.

Therefore, the procedure should not be described as a guaranteed permanent correction.

What Are the Risks of Lip Repositioning?

Possible complications can include:

pain;
swelling;
bruising;
temporary tightness;
temporary numbness or altered sensation;
asymmetry;
scar tissue inside the mouth;
relapse or partial recurrence;
infection;
dissatisfaction with the result.

Individual risks should be discussed with the healthcare professional performing the procedure.

Can Botulinum Toxin Treat a Gummy Smile?

Botulinum toxin type A, commonly known by brand names such as Botox, may be used in selected patients when excessive upper-lip elevation contributes to a gummy smile.

The injection temporarily reduces activity in selected lip-elevator muscles.

Systematic reviews show that botulinum toxin can reduce gingival display in appropriately selected patients.

However, the effect is temporary.

How Long Does Botox for a Gummy Smile Last?

The duration varies between patients.

Meta-analysis data show that the reduction in gingival display is generally strongest during the early weeks following injection and gradually decreases over time.

One meta-analysis found values trending back toward baseline by approximately 24 weeks.

It is therefore more accurate to describe botulinum toxin as a temporary treatment rather than promising that every result lasts exactly three, four or six months.

Who May Be Suitable for Botulinum Toxin?

Botulinum toxin may be considered when excessive gingival display is related primarily to hyperactivity of the upper-lip elevator muscles.

It is less likely to correct a gummy smile caused mainly by:

excess gingival tissue;
altered passive eruption;
significant vertical maxillary excess;
dental extrusion;
other structural causes.

This is why diagnosis remains important even for non-surgical treatment.

What Are the Risks of Botulinum Toxin for Gummy Smile?

Possible adverse effects can include:

temporary asymmetry;
changes in upper-lip movement;
an unnatural smile;
difficulty with certain facial expressions;
temporary weakness of nearby muscles;
bruising or tenderness at the injection site;
other treatment-specific adverse effects.

Injection site and dose should be individualized rather than using one universal protocol for every patient.

Botox vs Lip Repositioning for Gummy Smile

Feature	Botulinum Toxin	Lip Repositioning
Procedure type	Injection	Surgical procedure
Primary target	Upper-lip muscle activity	Upper-lip movement
Effect duration	Temporary	Longer-lasting, but relapse can occur
External facial scar	No	Normally no external facial scar
Appropriate for all gummy smiles	No	No

Can Orthodontics Correct a Gummy Smile?

Yes, in selected cases.

Orthodontic treatment may be relevant when excessive gingival display is influenced by tooth position or dentoalveolar relationships.

Modern orthodontic techniques, including skeletal anchorage in selected patients, may allow intrusion or repositioning of teeth and supporting structures.

Orthodontics is not the appropriate solution for every cause of excessive gingival display.

When Is Jaw Surgery Considered for a Gummy Smile?

Orthognathic surgery may be considered when significant skeletal anatomy, particularly vertical maxillary excess, contributes to the smile appearance.

Depending on the diagnosis, surgical repositioning of the upper jaw may reduce excessive gingival display while also addressing broader facial and bite relationships.

Orthognathic surgery is a major treatment and should not be suggested solely because a patient shows several millimetres of gum when smiling.

It requires appropriate orthodontic and oral-maxillofacial evaluation.

Is Jaw Surgery Always Required for Vertical Maxillary Excess?

No.

Treatment depends on severity, bite, facial proportions and individual goals.

Some less severe dentoalveolar problems may be managed orthodontically, while more substantial skeletal discrepancies may lead to discussion of orthognathic surgery.

The decision requires individual diagnosis.

Can Veneers Fix a Gummy Smile?

Dental veneers do not directly treat most causes of excessive gingival display.

They change selected aspects of tooth appearance, such as:

shape;
colour;
proportion;
visible surface appearance.

If teeth appear short because excess gum tissue covers part of the anatomical crowns, periodontal treatment may need to be considered before restorative treatment.

However, healthy teeth should not automatically be prepared for veneers simply because a gummy smile is present.

For more information, see our Dental Veneers in Turkey guide.

Should Gum Correction Be Done Before Veneers or Crowns?

When periodontal treatment is required as part of a restorative smile plan, the sequence should be determined before definitive veneers or crowns are made.

The gums may require sufficient healing and stabilization before final restorative margins are planned.

However, a universal waiting period such as exactly four, six or eight weeks should not be prescribed to every patient through a general website.

The appropriate interval depends on:

type of periodontal procedure;
whether bone was modified;
tooth location;
gingival healing;
restorative treatment planned.

Can a Gummy Smile Be Part of a Smile Makeover?

Yes.

Some patients have several concerns involving teeth and gums at the same time.

A broader Smile Makeover plan may include treatment of:

gingival levels;
tooth colour;
tooth shape;
tooth alignment;
existing restorations;
missing teeth;
other aesthetic or functional concerns.

The plan should preserve healthy tooth structure whenever possible and address the actual cause of the patient’s concern.

Is Laser Better Than Surgical Gummy Smile Correction?

There is no universal “better” treatment.

This comparison can be misleading because laser gingival treatment and procedures such as lip repositioning or orthognathic surgery target completely different anatomical problems.

For example:

laser or conventional gingival surgery may treat excess gum tissue;
botulinum toxin may temporarily reduce hyperactive lip movement;
lip repositioning may surgically limit lip elevation;
orthodontics may address selected dentoalveolar causes;
orthognathic surgery may address significant skeletal causes.

The correct treatment is the one that matches the diagnosis.

Is Gummy Smile Correction Permanent?

This depends entirely on the treatment.

Treatment	General Duration Consideration
Botulinum toxin	Temporary; effect decreases over time
Lip repositioning	Can provide longer-term reduction, but relapse can occur
Gingival / crown-lengthening surgery	Can provide stable results when correctly indicated, but tissue changes or recurrence may occur
Orthodontic treatment	Stability depends on diagnosis, treatment and retention
Orthognathic surgery	Changes skeletal position; long-term outcome depends on multiple surgical and orthodontic factors

No treatment should be marketed as a guaranteed permanent cosmetic result.

What Are the Risks of Gum Contouring?

Possible risks of periodontal soft-tissue treatment can include:

pain or sensitivity;
bleeding;
swelling;
infection;
gingival recession;
uneven gingival margins;
increased tooth-root exposure;
changes in tooth sensitivity;
need for further treatment;
regrowth or incomplete correction in selected cases.

Removing too much gum tissue can also create periodontal and aesthetic problems.

Does Laser Treatment Hurt?

Gingival procedures are commonly performed using local anesthesia.

This is intended to reduce pain during treatment.

However, patients should not be promised that treatment is completely painless.

Temporary postoperative symptoms may include:

soreness;
sensitivity;
minor bleeding;
swelling;
temporary discomfort while eating or brushing.

How Long Is Recovery After Gummy Smile Correction?

There is no single recovery period because gummy smile correction is not one standardized procedure.

Recovery after a limited gingival procedure differs significantly from recovery after:

crown lengthening with bone modification;
lip repositioning;
orthodontic treatment;
orthognathic surgery.

Patients should receive procedure-specific recovery instructions from the treating healthcare professional.

How Much Does Gummy Smile Correction Cost?

The cost depends on the cause of excessive gingival display and the treatment required.

A patient requiring limited gum contouring has a very different treatment plan from someone requiring:

periodontal crown lengthening;
botulinum toxin;
lip repositioning;
orthodontics;
orthognathic surgery;
combined treatment.

For this reason, Clinic Care Center does not present one universal gummy-smile price as if all patients require the same procedure.

A treatment quotation should follow assessment by the relevant dental or medical professional.

Who Provides Gummy Smile Treatment?

Clinic Care Center is a medical tourism provider and does not independently diagnose or treat excessive gingival display.

Depending on the cause, assessment or treatment may involve qualified professionals such as:

a general dental professional;
a periodontist;
an orthodontist;
an oral and maxillofacial surgeon;
another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

The treating professional and healthcare facility may vary according to the diagnosis and proposed procedure.

Clinic Care Center coordinates communication, appointments, treatment information and travel-related arrangements for international patients.

What Should Be Confirmed Before Treatment?

Patients should understand:

what is causing the excessive gingival display;
which treatment is being recommended;
why that treatment matches the diagnosis;
who will perform the procedure;
where treatment will take place;
whether the treatment is temporary or intended to be longer-lasting;
possible alternatives;
possible complications;
expected recovery;
what is included in the written quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gummy Smile Correction

What causes a gummy smile?

Possible causes include altered passive eruption, excess gingival tissue, upper-lip hypermobility, short upper lip, tooth-position factors, vertical maxillary excess and mixed anatomical causes.

How much gum is considered a gummy smile?

There is no universally accepted medical cutoff. Published studies use different thresholds, commonly within approximately 2–4 mm of gingival display. Aesthetic perception also varies between individuals.

Can laser fix every gummy smile?

No. Gingival laser treatment primarily affects gum tissue. It cannot correct significant upper-lip hypermobility, skeletal vertical maxillary excess or every dental cause.

Is laser gum contouring permanent?

It can provide stable results when the diagnosis and periodontal anatomy are appropriate, but no cosmetic outcome should be guaranteed as permanently unchanged.

Can Botox fix a gummy smile?

Botulinum toxin can temporarily reduce excessive gingival display in selected patients whose upper-lip muscle activity contributes to the problem.

How long does Botox for gummy smile last?

The effect gradually reduces over time. Clinical studies show meaningful short-term reduction, with results tending back toward baseline over subsequent months.

Is lip repositioning permanent?

It can produce longer-lasting reduction than botulinum toxin, but partial relapse has been reported and permanent correction should not be guaranteed.

Can veneers correct a gummy smile?

Veneers do not treat most underlying causes of excessive gingival display. Periodontal, orthodontic or skeletal factors should be evaluated before irreversible restorative treatment is considered.

Does gummy smile always require surgery?

No. Treatment depends on the cause. Some patients may be candidates for botulinum toxin or orthodontic treatment, while others may require periodontal, lip or jaw surgery.

Can more than one treatment be required?

Yes. Excessive gingival display can have multiple simultaneous causes, so combined treatment may sometimes provide a more appropriate result than a single procedure.

Medical References

Request Gummy Smile Treatment Information

The Clinic Care Center patient coordination team can assist international patients with consultation arrangements, treatment information and treatment coordination in Turkey.

Photographs may help with an initial discussion, but gummy smile treatment should not be confirmed from photographs alone when periodontal, dental or skeletal assessment is required.

The final diagnosis, treatment recommendation and clinical procedure remain the responsibility of the treating qualified healthcare professional.

Medical Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information and does not replace individual dental, periodontal, orthodontic or oral-maxillofacial assessment.

The cause of excessive gingival display, suitability for treatment, expected outcome, risks and recovery differ between patients. Final treatment decisions should follow an individual clinical assessment.