Gummy Smile Treatment
When more gum than tooth shows in your smile, it rarely has a single cause — and that matters, because the right gummy smile treatment Istanbul patients need depends entirely on what is driving it. At Citydent Istanbul, the first step is always a proper diagnosis.
Why Does Too Much Gum Show?
Gummy smile correction begins with understanding why too much gum shows in the first place — and in Istanbul, no two cases present identically. The relationship between the lip, gum tissue, and jaw bone falls outside the range most people consider balanced in different ways, and understanding which factor is at play shapes every treatment decision.
-
Overactive lip muscles. In many cases the upper lip rises too high during a smile — not because anything is wrong with the teeth or jaw, but because the muscles that elevate the lip are more active than average. This is one of the most common causes and responds well to non-surgical options.
-
Short upper lip. A naturally shorter upper lip provides less coverage over the gum line. Even a relaxed smile can expose more tissue than the patient is comfortable with.
-
Excess gum tissue (altered passive eruption). Sometimes the gums have not receded to their natural final position, leaving the teeth looking shorter than they are. The teeth themselves may be perfectly proportioned — they are simply covered by extra tissue.
-
Vertical jaw growth (vertical maxillary excess). When the upper jaw has developed with more vertical height than typical, gum exposure is structural. Cases in this category generally require surgical evaluation.
-
Genetics. Jaw dimensions, lip length and gum-to-tooth proportions are heritable. A family history of gummy smiles is common in patients who seek gummy smile correction Istanbul.
For a broader overview of gum health conditions, including how to reduce gum show Istanbul patients experience across different presentations, see our guide on gum treatment in Istanbul.
Gummy Smile Treatment Options
Botox Injections — Fast, Temporary
For cases driven by overactive lip muscles, botulinum toxin injections offer a straightforward, non-surgical path. The injections are placed in the muscles responsible for upper lip elevation, limiting how high the lip rises when smiling. The procedure takes under fifteen minutes and requires no anaesthesia or recovery time.
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis published on PMC found that BTX-A injections can reduce gingival display by up to 6 mm at twelve weeks, though recurrence typically begins around six to eight weeks, with repeat sessions required to maintain the result. Patients who want to evaluate the outcome before committing to a more permanent option often choose this route first.
Lip Repositioning — Longer-Lasting, Minimal Surgery
Lip repositioning surgery limits how far the upper lip can rise by modifying its attachment inside the mouth. A small strip of tissue is removed to restrict the lip's upward movement during smiling. Recovery involves mild swelling for one to two weeks.
A systematic review published on PubMed found lip repositioning Istanbul to be effective and stable over the long term, with the addition of myotomy reducing the risk of relapse in selected cases. Unlike Botox, results can last several years — making this a preferred option for patients whose primary driver is lip hypermobility rather than a skeletal or tissue-based cause.
Crown Lengthening — When Teeth Look Too Short
Where excess gum tissue is covering healthy tooth structure (altered passive eruption), crown lengthening removes the surplus tissue to reveal the tooth's full length and restore natural proportions. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, and most patients return to normal activity within a few days.
Crown lengthening is often combined with restorative work. If you are also considering aesthetic options, our page on gum contouring Istanbul covers this in more detail.
Orthodontics — When Tooth Position Is the Cause
If teeth have erupted too far downward, orthodontic treatment can reposition them vertically, reducing gum exposure as a result. Braces or clear aligners are used in milder cases; temporary anchorage devices (TADs) can assist in cases requiring more controlled vertical movement. Treatment timelines range from several months to two years depending on the degree of correction needed.
Corrective Jaw Surgery — For Skeletal Cases
When vertical maxillary excess is the cause, a Le Fort I osteotomy repositions the upper jaw upward, directly reducing how much gum shows when the patient smiles. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and requires a recovery period of several weeks. It is reserved for cases where the underlying cause is skeletal and cannot be adequately addressed by less invasive means. When carried out by an experienced team, it provides a permanent and comprehensive correction.
How Is the Right Treatment Chosen?
No two gummy smiles are identical, and combining treatments without a clear diagnosis can produce results that are inconsistent or short-lived. At Citydent Istanbul, evaluation includes measuring gum display at rest and during a full smile, assessing lip mobility, examining tooth length relative to the gum line, and — where structural causes are suspected — reviewing imaging data.
A 2024 systematic review concluded that etiology-based treatment selection is critical to achieving consistent outcomes — with gum display above 5 mm generally indicating a surgical pathway and below 5 mm pointing toward minimally invasive options. The right question is not "which treatment is best" but "which treatment matches this patient's cause."
If you are considering a broader aesthetic plan, our page on smile transformation Istanbul explains how gummy smile treatment fits within a complete smile design.
Gummy Smile Treatment: What to Expect During Recovery
Follow-up appointments are scheduled after each procedure to monitor healing and assess the result. For patients combining gummy smile correction with restorative work, sequencing is planned so that restorative treatment follows once soft tissue has fully stabilised.
Gummy smile treatment Istanbul — whether Botox, lip repositioning or surgical correction — is planned around what your specific case requires. For patients visiting from abroad, gummy smile fix Turkey consultations are available in a single assessment appointment. To take the next step, you can book dental treatment Istanbul and request a free consultation, or get in touch directly.