Aesthetics

Gummy Smile Treatment in Zurich (Löwenstrasse)

Does your gum show when you smile? The reason for this is often an overactive upper lip muscle. Even very small amounts of botulinum can influence the movement of the upper lip. If the lip stays slightly lower when you smile, the proportions between lip, teeth and gum are balanced very naturally.

We determine whether the treatment is suitable for you by analysing your lip movement and the anatomical causes. Book your appointment at the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich.

When is botulinum suitable for a gummy smile?

Botulinum gently relaxes the lip muscles. The upper lip lifts less and the gum remains covered when you smile.

We achieve this effect with just a few small injections. The effect lasts for several months.

The treatment changes neither the position of the teeth nor the gum nor the volume of the lips.

Less visible gum for a natural smile

Natural results are our top priority at the Swiss Derma Clinic. A cautious dosage is essential for this. The upper lip should continue to move normally and leave room for a naturally beautiful smile.

Even small changes in muscle activity have a visible effect. We specialise in this treatment and determine the injection points individually to suit your facial anatomy.

How the treatment works

Before the treatment, we examine your upper lip at rest, in motion and when you smile. The key questions are: how far does the lip lift? Which muscles are involved?

After a precise analysis, we inject small amounts of botulinum at selected points next to or above the upper lip. The treatment takes only a few minutes. Anaesthesia is usually not necessary.

After the injection, slight redness or minor swelling may temporarily appear at the injection sites. This side effect is normal and no cause for concern.

When will I see the result?

The effect develops gradually over a few days. We assess the final result after about 10 to 14 days.

As a rule, the effect slowly wears off after about three to six months. If you wish, we can then repeat the treatment.

Gummy smile or lip flip?

In both the gummy smile treatment and the lip flip, botulinum is injected into the area of the upper lip. However, the goal is different in each case:

With the gummy smile treatment, the activity of the muscles that pull the upper lip upwards when smiling is reduced. Less gum becomes visible.

With the lip flip, the focus is on the lip border, which is slightly relaxed by the botulinum. The upper lip turns slightly outwards and more of the red of the lip becomes visible.

When is botulinum not enough?

An overactive muscle is not always the cause of a gummy smile. Sometimes the cause lies in the position of the teeth, the height of the gum or the anatomy of the upper jaw. In such cases, the effect of botulinum is limited and, depending on the cause, a dental, orthodontic or maxillofacial assessment is more appropriate.

After the treatment

As a rule, you can return to your social activities immediately after the treatment.

On the day of treatment, you should:

avoid intensive sport
not massage the treated areas vigorously
avoid intense heat for the time being

Precise dosing protects natural lip movement

In addition to short-term redness, swelling or small bruises after the injection, the effect may differ in strength between the two sides. If the upper lip muscles are relaxed too much, movements when speaking, drinking or smiling may also be temporarily altered.

To avoid this, precise knowledge of facial anatomy, correct placement of the injections and an individually adjusted dosage are required. At the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich, we specialise in exactly this.

The treatment

	Treatment duration	approx. 10 min
	Duration of effect	3-6 months
	Anaesthesia	none required
	Price	from CHF 350.-
	Sport	no intensive sport for 24 hours
	Socially presentable	immediately

Managing Director, Medical Director - Evangelia Georgouli

Your doctor

Evangelia (Lia) Georgouli, MD

Dermatology and venereology specialist

Managing Director

Head Doctor

I love my profession as a dermatologist. I keep up with scientific and technological developments and apply the very latest proven techniques. Moreover, I never stop working on my professional development. This means I can ensure that the individual care you receive at Swiss Derma Clinic is always of the highest standard.

Learn more

FAQ

Can a gummy smile be treated effectively with botulinum?

If the visible gum is caused by very active upper lip muscles, botulinum can be a suitable treatment. The active ingredient temporarily reduces the activity of the muscles that pull the upper lip upwards when smiling. As a result, the upper lip stays slightly lower and covers more of the gum. For other causes, such as a particular tooth position, alternative approaches, for example orthodontic treatment, may be more suitable.

How quickly does botulinum work for a gummy smile?

The first changes can be expected within a few days. It takes about two weeks until the full result is reached. Botulinum does not work immediately after the injection but develops its effect gradually.

How long does the effect of gummy smile treatment last?

The effect usually lasts for several months. After three to five months, it gradually wears off and the treated muscles regain their original activity. Regular top-ups are possible.

Will my smile still look natural after the treatment?

With a cautious, individually tailored dosage, your natural facial expressions are preserved. The activity of the muscles concerned is only influenced to the extent that the lip moves upwards less strongly when you smile.

Is the treatment painful?

The individual injections take only a few seconds. At the Swiss Derma Clinic, we use very fine needles for this. As a rule, you will only feel a slight prick. On request, we can pre-treat the lip area with an anaesthetic ointment, but this is usually not necessary.

What side effects are possible with gummy smile treatment?

The most common are temporary reactions at the injection sites such as redness, swelling or small bruises. As botulinum affects the muscles of the upper lip, an excessive or uneven effect can also temporarily lead to asymmetrical lip movement or a feeling of weakness in the upper lip. This is rare when the treatment is carried out professionally and by experienced practitioners. At the Swiss Derma Clinic, the treatment is performed exclusively by doctors who are familiar with the anatomy and function of the perioral muscles and have many years of treatment experience in this area.

What do I need to bear in mind after gummy smile treatment?

You can usually return to your social activities immediately, but you should take care of the treated area for about 24 hours and avoid rubbing or massaging the injection sites. Minor redness or swelling usually subsides on its own within a few hours. We will also give you individual recommendations at your appointment at the Swiss Derma Clinic in Zurich.

Can I eat, drink and speak normally after the treatment?

As the treatment influences the muscles around the upper lip, lip movement may initially feel a little unfamiliar while the effect sets in. Avoid particularly strong lip movements immediately after the treatment. If you notice any unusual restriction when speaking, drinking or making other lip movements, please contact us.

How much botulinum is needed for gummy smile treatment?

The required amount is determined individually. Relevant factors include the strength of the upper lip muscles, your individual movement when smiling, symmetry and the result you would like to achieve.

Can the treatment be repeated?

When the effect wears off after a few months, we can repeat the gummy smile treatment. Before a further treatment, we examine at the Swiss Derma Clinic how far the muscle activity has returned and whether another injection is advisable at that time.

Our Q&A texts are by no means a substitute for a medical consultation. For an individual and well-founded medical assessment, we recommend a personal consultation at the Swiss Derma Clinic. We are happy to take the time for you!

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