• pin
  • 90 Hagley Road,
  • Birmingham,
  • B16 8LU
01217 140 035
  • Overview + FAQs
  • Pricing

A balanced smile usually shows an even amount of gum tissue in harmony with the upper lip. A “gummy smile” describes when more than 3–4mm of gum tissue becomes visible when you smile or laugh — and it’s more common than people think, with a number of different possible causes. At Face Studio Clinic, we help patients understand what’s driving their gummy smile and talk through the full range of options during a one-to-one consultation.

What causes a gummy smile?

A few different factors can contribute, often in combination:

  • The shape and size of your lips.
  • An overactive upper lip muscle, which lifts the lip higher than average when smiling.
  • The shape and size of your teeth, including teeth that appear shorter than average.
  • Your gum tissue itself, if it extends further down the tooth than usual.
  • The position or size of your upper jaw.

Because there are several possible causes, working out which one (or combination) applies to you is the first step — which is exactly what a consultation is for.

What happens at a consultation

Our team will assess your smile, talk through which of the factors above are contributing in your case, and explain the full range of options that may be suitable — which can include both dental and non-surgical approaches depending on the cause.

FAQs

What counts as a "gummy smile"?

Generally, more than 3–4mm of visible gum tissue above the teeth when smiling, though this is assessed individually rather than by measurement alone, since what looks balanced varies from face to face.

What causes a gummy smile?

It can be down to lip shape and size, an overactive upper lip muscle, tooth shape and size, the amount of visible gum tissue, or the position of the upper jaw — often a combination of more than one factor, which is why an individual assessment matters more than a one-size-fits-all answer

Is a gummy smile treatable?

Yes. Depending on the underlying cause, treatment options can include anti-wrinkle injections to relax an overactive upper lip muscle, or dental approaches such as crown lengthening, composite bonding, or veneers to adjust how the teeth and gum line appear together. Your practitioner will recommend the right approach for you at consultation, and in some cases a combination works best.

Do I need a consultation first?

Yes — because there are several possible causes and treatment routes, an assessment is needed before any option can be recommended. This ensures you’re offered the treatment most likely to work for your specific case, rather than a generic solution.

Does treatment hurt?

Muscle-relaxing injections involve a fine needle and are generally described as briefly uncomfortable rather than painful, while dental approaches are carried out under local anaesthetic where needed. Your practitioner will explain exactly what to expect for your recommended treatment at consultation.

For more information regarding this treatment
Back to Face Treatments
interest free finance icon

0% Interest Free Finance

We offer interest free finance on treatments for up to 12 months. Ask our team for more information.

Gummy Smile | Pebble Chin
£175
Back to Face Treatments
call icon

GET IN TOUCH

0121 714 0035

treatment-lasts6-9months

Treatment lasts 3-6 months

immediate-results

3-14 days

48hours-mild-swelling

No downtime

individual-result-may-vary

Individual result may vary

  • pin
  • 90 Hagley Road,
  • Birmingham,
  • B16 8LU
Google Rating
5.0
Google Rating
Google Rating
Book Online
Oh, hello!
Want in on the latest treatments, insider tips, and exclusive discounts?
Subscribe now to stay in the loop!
We don't spam, pinky promise.
I'M IN!
Oh, hello!
Want in on the latest treatments, insider tips, and exclusive discounts?
Subscribe now to stay in the loop!
We don't spam, pinky promise.
I'M IN!