A balanced smile is one of the most defining features of your face. When excess gum tissue shows above the upper teeth, known as a “gummy smile”, it can make you feel self-conscious or hesitant to smile fully. Many traditional corrections involve surgery, but today there is a simple, non-invasive option. At Destination Aesthetics™, we offer BOTOX® for gummy smile treatment at our med spa locations in El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Folsom, Roseville, Napa, and Sacramento, CA, helping you reveal a more confident and natural-looking smile without downtime.
A “gummy smile” happens when the upper lip lifts high enough to show more gum than teeth. BOTOX® offers a simple, non-surgical way to soften that lift.
Using a few tiny injections near the base of the nose, your injector temporarily relaxes the small muscles that pull the upper lip upward. The result is a natural-looking smile with less gum showing. Treatments take about 10 minutes in the office, there is no required downtime, results develop over 7 to 14 days, and maintenance visits keep the look consistent. While BOTOX® is FDA approved for cosmetic lines, using it for a gummy smile is a common off-label approach performed by experienced medical injectors.
BOTOX® works through small injections that limit upper lip elevation. Results appear in about 1 to 2 weeks and typically last 3 to 4 months before touch-ups are needed. Surgery involves physical changes to the gums, teeth, or bone and can provide longer-lasting results, but requires anesthesia, healing time, and higher cost.
BOTOX® interrupts nerve signals that over-activate the lip elevators, producing a softer smile line. It is quick, minimally invasive, and reversible. Surgical procedures, such as crown lengthening, gum lifts, or jaw adjustments, remove or reposition tissue and bone. These can yield more permanent changes but carry surgical risks, higher expense, and extended recovery.
Results
1–2 weeks, last 3–4 months
Immediate post-healing, last years
Cost
By unit, cost-effective
Higher, depends on surgery type
Formulations
OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®)
Lip repositioning, gingivectomy, jaw surgery
Timeline
No downtime, touch-ups needed
1–2 weeks healing, long-term results
Treatment Areas
Overactive lip muscles
Gums, teeth, lips, jawbone
Results
Immediate post-healing, last years
Cost
Higher, depends on surgery type
Formulations
Lip repositioning, gingivectomy, jaw surgery
Timeline
1–2 weeks healing, long-term results
Treatment Areas
Gums, teeth, lips, jawbone
Yes. BOTOX® has an extensive track record of safety when performed by trained medical professionals. While the medication is FDA approved for frown lines and other cosmetic uses, its off-label application for gummy smiles is well established and widely practiced. At Destination Aesthetics™, every treatment is performed by skilled injectors using precise techniques to minimize risks and create natural-looking results.
What Are Possible Side Effects?
Possible side effects, while rare, may include:
Men can also feel self-conscious about showing too much gum when smiling. BOTOX® provides a simple way to relax the upper lip muscles while keeping a natural, masculine look.
Our injectors customize treatment plans to maintain strong features and balanced proportions, ensuring results that look confident and authentic.
Quick, in-office procedure
Minimal discomfort with tiny injections
No downtime required
Natural-looking results
Cost-effective compared to surgery
Adjustable treatment plans
Yes. Many people choose to combine gummy smile BOTOX® with other treatments to create a more polished overall look. Pairing services can address multiple concerns at once—for example, relaxing the upper lip while also enhancing lip shape or improving skin tone. Our team will recommend safe, complementary options during your consultation so you can achieve balanced, natural-looking results.
Step 1
Your visit begins with a personalized consultation where we review your medical history, evaluate your smile, and discuss your goals. This allows your injector to determine the best placement and dosage for safe, natural results.
Step 2
The actual treatment takes just a few minutes. Tiny amounts of BOTOX® are injected into the muscles near the base of the nose to limit excess upper lip movement. Most patients describe only brief pinches during injection, and numbing can be applied if needed.
Step 3
You can return to normal activities right away. Initial changes appear within a few days, with full results visible in 1 to 2 weeks. Follow-up appointments help maintain your look every few months.
Most patients begin to notice subtle changes within a few days. As the treated muscles gradually relax, the upper lip rests lower and gum exposure decreases. Full results are typically visible at the 1- to 2-week mark, when your smile looks softer and more balanced.
BOTOX® results are temporary. For a gummy smile, most people return for touch-ups every 3 to 4 months. With regular treatments, some patients find the effects last longer as the muscles become conditioned to relax. Your provider will create a personalized schedule that fits both your goals and your lifestyle.
The injections are very quick, and discomfort is minimal, many patients compare the feeling to a small pinch. We can apply a topical numbing cream if you’re sensitive, and most people are pleasantly surprised by how tolerable the process is.
Recovery is simple and requires no downtime. You may see slight redness or swelling at the injection sites, which usually fades within a few hours. Bruising is uncommon and easily covered with makeup if it occurs. You can go back to work, social events, or errands right after your appointment.
Yes. BOTOX® is safe for all skin types and tones when performed by trained medical professionals. During your consultation, we review your health history and assess your unique smile dynamics to ensure treatment is a safe and effective choice for you.
There’s very little preparation needed. We may suggest avoiding alcohol, blood-thinning medications, or certain supplements (like fish oil or vitamin E) for a few days beforehand to minimize the risk of bruising. Otherwise, you can come in as you are.
When BOTOX® is placed precisely, the results are subtle and natural-looking. Instead of changing the way you smile, it simply helps your lips rest in a softer position. Friends and family will likely notice that your smile looks more relaxed and confident, without realizing you’ve had anything done.
If you would like more information about Destination Aesthetics and the services we provide, give us a call! We would be happy to sit down and talk to you about your cosmetic options and answer any questions that you may have.
A #DAG is a Destination Aesthetics™ girl or guy who believes in equality, freedom, love, acceptance, and peace.
As nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and licensed estheticians, we combine our years of experience and artistry in our craft with a passion for bringing out the very best in you. We are family-centric teammates on a mission to help you live your best and most beautiful life.
