Gummy Smile Correction
A radiant smile is more than just an aesthetic feature – it is an expression of our personality. While an individual smile has its own charm, excessively visible gums – known as a gummy smile – can have a significant impact on our well-being and social life. If you are asking yourself what to do about a gummy smile, we can help. There are various options for putting a smile on your face that will make you happy.
What Is a Gummy Smile?
The term ‘gummy smile’ describes a situation in which a disproportionate amount of gum is visible when smiling. The expression ‘gummy smile’ is also used colloquially. This can detract from the appearance of the smile and be very unpleasant for those affected, who then develop an unnatural, forced laugh as they try to hide the gums when smiling. Other people stop smiling altogether – a drastic intervention in their natural expressiveness.
Duration of the treatment
2 hours
Fit for everyday life
After 1–2 weeks
Follow-up treatment
Suture removal after 14 days, lymphatic drainage, and special dressing
Clinic stay
Outpatient
The most frequently asked questions
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile refers to an appearance where a disproportionately large portion of the gums is visible when smiling. This can affect the aesthetic appearance and lead to an unnatural smile or reduced self-confidence in those affected.
What are the causes of a gummy smile?
A gummy smile can be caused by the following factors:
- Hyperactivity of the lip elevator muscles, which excessively raise the lip when smiling.
- Long face syndrome, where the face is elongated, creating an imbalance between bone and soft tissue.
- Dental misalignments or a disproportion between the gums and tooth crowns.
- Medications that promote excessive growth of the mucous membrane.
What treatment options are available?
- Botulinum injections: Relaxation of the lip elevator muscles, a temporary solution with an effect lasting 3 to 6 months.
- Gum reduction: Removal of excess gum tissue using a scalpel or laser.
- Orthodontics: Correction of dental misalignments.
- Maxillary reduction: Permanent solution through surgical alteration of the upper jaw position in severe cases.
Is the treatment painful?
Most treatments, such as botulinum injections or gum reduction, are performed under local anesthesia and are painless. Surgical procedures, such as maxillary reduction, are carried out under general anesthesia.
Does the treatment leave visible scars?
No, in surgical procedures like maxillary reduction, the access is through the oral cavity, so no visible scars are left in the facial area.
How long does recovery take after gummy smile correction?
The healing time depends on the chosen method:
- Botulinum injections: Immediately socially presentable.
- Gum reduction: Healing within a few days.
- Maxillary reduction: Full recovery after approximately 1 to 2 weeks. Swelling may persist for up to two weeks.
Gummy Smile Causes and Corrections
A gummy smile can have many different causes, which must always be determined by a doctor in order to initiate the correct therapy. One of the possible causes of a gummy smile is increased activity of the lip elevator muscles. These muscles are responsible for lifting the lip and are located directly next to the nostrils. When these muscles are overactive, the lip is raised higher than normal when smiling, revealing more gum than usual.
Long Face Syndrome as a Cause of Gummy Smile
In other cases, a gummy smile can occur as a result of a condition known as ‘long face syndrome’. In this syndrome, facial growth is very elongated and the height of the face does not correspond to the aesthetic ideal. In addition, there is an imbalance between the underlying bone and the overlying soft tissue – resulting in a gummy smile that can also be particularly pronounced.
A gummy smile can occur not only as a result of increased muscle activity and increased growth. It can also be caused by misaligned teeth or drug therapies that cause the mucous membrane to grow. Our specialists in oral and maxillofacial surgery will be happy to examine you and uncover the cause of your gummy smile. Together, we will lay the foundation for a successful gummy smile correction.
Before-and-after pictures




What Are the Treatment Options for Gummy Smile?
There are several options for gummy smile correction. However, identifying the cause is always the crucial step for the right treatment.
Treating Gummy Smile with Botulinum
If the hyperactivity of the muscles is the cause, botulinum can be used to relax the muscles in a targeted way and reduce the disproportionate raising of the lip. However, it is important to note that botulinum is only a temporary solution and regular treatments are required to maintain the effect. However, with repeated applications, a significant improvement in gummy smiles can be achieved. Working with botulinum requires a good knowledge of anatomy, as an irregular and disharmonious smile can result if it is used incorrectly.
Treating Gummy Smile by Reducing Gum Tissue
If a tooth is misaligned or there is a mismatch between the gums and the tooth crown, a surgical reduction of the gums can be used. In this treatment, excess gum tissue is removed using a scalpel or laser to improve the natural ratio of gum to tooth length and size. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and is usually painless.
If a gummy smile is caused by misaligned teeth, the teeth can be straightened by orthodontic treatment, thereby bringing the gums into the correct position.
Treating Long Face Syndrome Through Surgery
In our patients who suffer from a gummy smile due to long-face syndrome, the condition can be very pronounced. In these cases, treatments with botulinum or corrections to the gums or teeth are not promising. Here, experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons can achieve the desired harmonious smile by reducing the upper jawbone.
Gummy Smile Zurich – Permanent Solution with Surgical Jaw Correction
We will be happy to explain the gummy smile correction procedure to you in detail in a preliminary consultation and answer any questions you may have. To help you visualise the expected end result of the treatment, we will take a look at gummy smile before-and-after photos and discuss your goals.
The Gummy Smile Treatment Process
Your experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons can change the position of the upper jaw through an outpatient procedure under anaesthesia, thereby achieving the desired harmonious smile. This procedure is performed from inside the oral cavity and does not leave any scars on the face. The upper jaw can be exposed through two small incisions in the area of the oral mucosa and, depending on the severity of the gummy smile, a piece of bone can be removed. This changes the position of the upper jaw and the gummy smile disappears forever.
Your expert team

Martin Lanzer PD Dr. Dr. med. Dr. med. dent., eMBA
Specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial surgery, clinic director and CEO

Tateyuki Iizuka Prof. Dr. med., Dr. med. dent.
Specialist in oral, maxillofacial, and facial surgery, Senior Consultant
Do you have questions? Contact us.
Get in touch with us – Our expert team will contact you.
"After the surgery, I finally see the person I’ve always been on the inside. My confidence has increased tremendously, and I no longer hide from the world. Thank you to the team."
Angela B., Aesthetic Surgery Patient

