A gummy smile shows more than 3-4mm of gum tissue above the front teeth when you smile wide, and in 2026 the fix ranges from a 10-minute Botox injection to jaw surgery depending on what's actually causing it.
- The best fix for a gummy smile depends on cause: Botox lip flip wins for mild cases, laser gum contouring wins for excess tissue.
- Crown lengthening is the Buy for teeth that look short from overgrown gum tissue covering healthy enamel.
- Orthognathic surgery is a Wait unless vertical maxillary excess is confirmed by a dentist or oral surgeon.
- Invisalign fixes gummy smiles caused by overeruption or bite issues, not by lip or gum tissue alone.
Why this matters
Most people treat a gummy smile as one problem with one fix, and that's why so many end up disappointed with Botox that wears off in 12 weeks or veneers that don't change the gumline at all. A gummy smile has at least four distinct causes: a hyperactive upper lip, excess gum tissue covering the teeth, a short upper lip, or a jaw that grew too far vertically. Each cause has a different correct fix, and picking the wrong one wastes money without fixing what's visible in every photo.
Dental Arts of Atlantis sees this constantly in Palm Beach County: patients walk in asking for veneers when the actual issue is 2mm of excess gum tissue that a 20-minute laser recontouring would solve for good. Getting the diagnosis right before picking a fix is the whole game here.
How this list is ranked
Each option below is ranked by durability, invasiveness, and how well it matches the actual cause of a gummy smile rather than just the symptom. Botox and orthodontic options rank higher for reversibility and lower cost of entry; surgical options rank by how permanent the correction is once healed. A dentist or oral surgeon has to confirm the cause first — a lip flip does nothing for a jaw that grew 4mm past normal vertical height, and jaw surgery is overkill for a lip that's just hyperactive.
The ranked list
1. Botox lip flip — the fast fix
A Botox lip flip relaxes the muscles that pull the upper lip up too high when you smile, and it takes about 10 minutes with results visible within 3-5 days. The dose is small — typically 4-6 units into the upper lip depressor muscles — and it wears off in 10-12 weeks, so it functions as a trial run before anything permanent.
This is the right call when the cause is a hyperactive lip and not excess gum tissue or a jaw issue. It's also the lowest-risk way to see what a fixed gummy smile would look like before committing to anything surgical. Facial cosmetics services at the dentist, including Botox for a lip flip, are covered on the facial cosmetics for men page, and the same treatment applies regardless of gender. Buy if the cause is lip hyperactivity and you want a low-commitment first step.
2. Laser gum contouring — the permanent structural fix
Laser gum contouring reshapes the gumline to expose more of the natural tooth crown, and it's done in a single office visit under local anesthesia with healing in 1-2 weeks. This is the correct fix when excess gum tissue — not lip position — is covering healthy enamel, which is one of the most common causes of a gummy smile in patients with naturally short-looking teeth.
Unlike Botox, this result doesn't fade. Once the tissue is reshaped and healed, the new gumline holds. Buy for patients whose teeth measure normal length once gum tissue is pulled back, confirmed by a dentist during an exam.
3. Crown lengthening — for teeth that look short
Crown lengthening removes excess gum and sometimes a small amount of bone to expose more of the tooth surface, and it's typically paired with veneers or a smile makeover when the goal is both gum reshaping and tooth appearance in the same visit. Recovery runs 1-2 weeks with some tenderness, and results are permanent once healed.
This differs from simple gum contouring because it can involve bone recontouring underneath, which matters when the tooth structure itself is genuinely short rather than just covered. Patients pursuing a full cosmetic overhaul often pair this with veneers through the best veneers option for chipped or worn front teeth page. Buy for patients combining gum correction with veneer placement in one treatment plan.
4. Invisalign — for bite-driven gummy smiles
When a gummy smile is caused by overeruption of the upper front teeth or a bite where the upper jaw sits too far forward, orthodontic movement corrects it by repositioning the teeth and jaw relationship rather than touching gum tissue at all. Treatment timelines run 12-18 months for adult cases, and results hold as long as retainers are worn as directed.
This option gets missed constantly because gummy smiles get treated as a cosmetic-only problem when the root cause is skeletal or dental positioning. Details on how treatment works and what to expect are covered on the Invisalign for adults page. Consider if a dentist confirms overeruption or bite misalignment as the driver.
5. Orthognathic (jaw) surgery — for vertical maxillary excess
This is reserved for cases where the upper jaw itself grew too far down, called vertical maxillary excess, and no amount of Botox, gum contouring, or orthodontics will correct it because the bone structure is the actual problem. Surgery involves repositioning the jaw and is typically done by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with a recovery period of 6-8 weeks.
This is the most invasive option on this list and the least common cause of a gummy smile overall — most patients asking about gummy smiles do not need this. Wait until imaging confirms vertical maxillary excess before considering this route; it's the wrong first step for the majority of cases.
6. Veneers alone — the incomplete fix
Veneers change tooth shape, length, and color, but they don't move or reshape gum tissue on their own. Placing veneers without addressing excess gum tissue first often makes teeth look short and gummy anyway, because the veneer sits under gum tissue that hasn't been recontoured.
Veneers work well as the second step after gum contouring or crown lengthening, not as a standalone fix for a gummy smile. Skip veneers alone if gum tissue is the primary driver — pair them with contouring instead.
“A lip flip and veneers solve two completely different problems, and using one to fix the other just wastes the appointment.”
Comparison table
| Option | Cause it fixes | Invasiveness | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botox lip flip | Hyperactive lip | Minimal | 10-12 weeks |
| Laser gum contouring | Excess gum tissue | Low | Permanent |
| Crown lengthening | Short-looking teeth | Moderate | Permanent |
| Invisalign | Overeruption/bite | Moderate | Permanent w/ retainer |
| Orthognathic surgery | Vertical maxillary excess | High | Permanent |
| Veneers alone | Tooth shape/color only | Low | 10-15 years |
What to avoid
- Booking veneers before a dentist confirms whether gum tissue or tooth length is the actual issue — this leads to redo cases.
- Assuming Botox is permanent — it isn't, and repeat visits every 3 months add up if that's the long-term plan.
- Skipping imaging before considering jaw surgery — vertical maxillary excess has to be confirmed, not guessed at from a photo.
Get your gummy smile diagnosed
A dentist can pinpoint the exact cause before you pick a fix.
Where to buy (or book)
- Start with a dentist exam, not a med spa — a dental provider can tell whether the cause is lip, gum, tooth, or jaw related before any product is recommended.
- Confirm whether the practice offers both the injectable and surgical/orthodontic options in-house, since bouncing between providers for diagnosis and treatment adds time and cost.
- Ask about financing before committing to a multi-step plan like crown lengthening plus veneers — the best dental financing plan for a family budget page covers what's typically available.
FAQ
What is the best fix for a gummy smile?
The best fix depends on the cause: Botox lip flip for a hyperactive lip, laser gum contouring for excess tissue, and orthodontics or jaw surgery for bite or skeletal issues. A dental exam confirms which cause applies before choosing a treatment.
Is Botox or gum contouring better for a gummy smile?
Botox works for a hyperactive lip and wears off in 10-12 weeks, while gum contouring is a permanent fix for excess gum tissue covering the teeth. Neither corrects the other’s cause, so the right choice depends on diagnosis.
How much does gum contouring cost in 2026?
Laser gum contouring costs vary by how many teeth are treated and whether it’s paired with veneers or crown lengthening. A consultation gives an exact quote based on the treatment plan.
Can Invisalign fix a gummy smile?
Invisalign fixes a gummy smile when the cause is overeruption of the upper teeth or a bite where the jaw sits too far forward. It does not correct excess gum tissue or a hyperactive lip.
Does a gummy smile need surgery?
Most gummy smiles do not need surgery — Botox, gum contouring, or orthodontics cover the majority of cases. Jaw surgery is reserved for confirmed vertical maxillary excess, which is a smaller share of cases.
How long does a lip flip last for a gummy smile?
A Botox lip flip lasts 10-12 weeks before the muscle regains full movement. Repeat treatment is needed to maintain results long term.
Are veneers a fix for a gummy smile?
Veneers change tooth shape and color but don’t reshape gum tissue on their own. They work best paired with gum contouring or crown lengthening when gum tissue is part of the issue.
What causes a gummy smile?
A gummy smile comes from four main causes: a hyperactive upper lip, excess gum tissue, a short upper lip, or a jaw that grew too far vertically. Each cause needs a different treatment.
One last thing
The most overlooked detail in gummy smile cases is that patients often have more than one cause stacked together — a slightly hyperactive lip plus a couple millimeters of excess gum tissue, for instance — and treating only one leaves a visible partial result. A combined plan, even a small one, usually outperforms chasing a single fix twice.
Related guides
- Best veneers option for chipped or worn front teeth
- Invisalign for adults: how it works and what to expect
- Cosmetic dentistry for a wedding smile makeover
- Best dental financing plan for a family budget
- Facial cosmetics for men: Botox and fillers at the dentist