Ever caught yourself covering your mouth when you laugh? Or maybe you’ve perfected that tight-lipped smile for photos? If you’re self-conscious about showing too much gum when you smile, you’re not alone. 

A “gummy smile” might seem like a small concern, but it can significantly impact your confidence in social situations. The good news? There’s a simple, non-surgical solution that many people don’t know about—and it might just change the way you feel about your smile forever.

What Exactly Is a Gummy Smile?

Let’s talk about what we mean by a “gummy smile.” Generally speaking, when more than a few millimeters of gum tissue shows above your upper teeth when you smile, it’s considered a gummy smile. While completely normal and healthy, many people feel self-conscious about this aesthetic feature.

You might be thinking, “Isn’t this something only orthodontic treatment can fix?” Actually, there’s a much quicker and less invasive option that many of our St John’s Wood patients have discovered with amazing results.

Enter Botox®: Not Just for Wrinkles Anymore

When most people hear “Botox,” they immediately think about smoothing forehead wrinkles or crow’s feet. But here in Northwest London, we’re seeing more patients discover its remarkable effectiveness for treating gummy smiles.

Botox® injections can be strategically placed to relax the muscles that elevate your upper lip when you smile. By slightly limiting the upward movement of your lip, less gum tissue is exposed when you smile, creating a more balanced ratio between teeth, gums, and lips.

The best part? The treatment takes just minutes, requires no downtime, and provides results that look completely natural.

The Twoth Approach to Gummy Smile Correction

At Twoth Dental + Facial Aesthetics in St John’s Wood, our approach to treating gummy smiles goes beyond simply administering injections. We understand that facial aesthetics and dental harmony work together to create your perfect smile.

Dr Tara Francis, our aesthetics director, brings exceptional expertise to gummy smile treatments. Dr Francis approaches each case with an artist’s eye, understanding that every face is unique and requires personalised treatment.

“When treating a gummy smile, it’s not just about hiding the gums,” Dr Francis often explains to patients from Camden and Westminster who visit our clinic. “It’s about creating harmony between your lips, teeth, gums, and overall facial features.”

What to Expect During Your Treatment

If you’re considering this treatment, you might be wondering what the process actually looks like. Here’s a walkthrough of the experience:

1. Consultation: First, you’ll meet with Dr Francis to discuss your concerns and determine if Botox® is right for your specific case. She’ll analyse your smile dynamics and facial structure.
2. Treatment Planning: Using advanced digital imaging, we’ll map the precise injection points for optimal results.
3. The Procedure: The actual treatment takes only about 10-15 minutes. A few tiny injections are administered to the muscles around your upper lip.
4. Results: You’ll notice results within 3-5 days, with full effects visible after about two weeks. The results typically last 3-4 months before a touch-up is needed.

Most of our Northwest London patients describe the treatment as virtually painless—just a few quick pinches that are over before you know it.

Beyond Just Gummy Smiles: Comprehensive Facial Aesthetics

What makes our approach in St John’s Wood unique is that we don’t view gummy smile correction in isolation. At Twoth Dental + Facial Aesthetics, we understand that true facial harmony often requires addressing multiple elements.

For some patients, a combination approach yields the most natural-looking results. This might include:

• Jawline Contouring: Neurotoxin treatments to enhance facial symmetry 
• Lip Rejuvenation: Dermal fillers to balance lip proportions 
• Digital Smile Design: Using iTero 3D scans to plan your ideal smile transformation 

Many of our Westminster and Camden patients appreciate this comprehensive approach, as it ensures all aspects of their smile and facial aesthetics work together harmoniously.

Is Botox® for Gummy Smile Right for Me?

While Botox® offers an excellent solution for many people with gummy smiles, it’s not the only option. During your consultation at our Northwest London clinic, we’ll determine which approach is best suited to your specific situation.

Botox® works particularly well for gummy smiles caused by:

• Hypermobile upper lip (a lip that rises more than average when smiling)
• Mild to moderate gum exposure
• Patients seeking a non-surgical, temporary solution

However, if your gummy smile is caused by issues like excessive gum tissue, tooth proportions, or jaw alignment, other treatments might be recommended, either alone or in combination with Botox®.

Taking the First Step

If you’ve been self-conscious about your gummy smile, why wait any longer to address it? The solution might be simpler than you think. Many of our patients express only one regret—that they didn’t discover this treatment sooner.

At Twoth Dental + Facial Aesthetics in St John’s Wood, we welcome patients from across Northwest London, including Camden and Westminster, who are interested in exploring their options for gummy smile correction.

The first step is simple: Schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and learn about your treatment options. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, understand the process, and decide if this approach is right for you.

Beyond the Treatment: Maintaining Your Results

Once you’ve achieved your desired smile appearance, maintaining your results is straightforward. Most patients find that a quick touch-up treatment every 3-4 months keeps their smile looking its best.

At Twoth, we often create personalised maintenance plans for our Westminster and Camden patients, ensuring convenient scheduling and consistent results.

A beautiful, confident smile doesn’t just change your appearance—it can change how you interact with the world. When you’re no longer preoccupied with hiding your smile, you’re free to fully engage in life’s moments, both big and small.

Ready to discover the difference a balanced smile can make? Contact our St John’s Wood clinic today to learn more about our gummy smile correction treatments and take the first step toward the smile you’ve always wanted.