Gummy Smile

Some people pull their upper lip up too far above their upper teeth while smiling, revealing an excessive amount of upper gum and producing an unattractive “Gummy” smile. This can cause anxiety and embarrassment when smiling in front of others and focussing on covering the mouth while smiling or avoiding smiling in photos.

The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle elevates the upper lip, particularly on smiling. A small dose of Botox can be injected into this muscle to relax the upper lip reducing the amount of gum showing when smiling.

This muscle also contributes to the appearance of the nasolabial folds so injecting it with Botox can soften nasolabial folds as well.