Gingival smile

A gingival smile, also known as a high smile, occurs when the gums are more prominent and visible than the teeth. Generally, it is when more than 4 mm of gum is exposed, although the perception is highly subjective and depends on the overall proportions of the patient’s face.

The origin of a gingival smile can be diverse: dental, skeletal, or muscular. It may also indicate other conditions, such as an excessive vertical dimension of the upper jaw, which gives the patient a face that appears too long and less harmonious. Therefore, its treatment sometimes requires an interdisciplinary approach, including dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, and aesthetic medicine.

Treatment can involve preventing the muscles that lift the upper lip from excessively and unattractively exposing the gums. This treatment consists of applying a small amount of botulinum toxin (Botox) to these muscles to block their activity, achieving excellent results. It does not require anesthesia as the technique is virtually painless and has no significant side effects or adverse reactions.