Botox Mississauga

Lips that rest high on the gums and appear out of proportion with the teeth and appearance of the rest of the smile are characterized as “gummy.” Gums largely only peek through as little, pinkish, or red “triangles” between the teeth. And while gummy smiles are authentic and endearing, we at Smile Horizons Dental Arts help to design the smiles that are most pleasing to each patient. After all, every patient that Dr. Hytham Elwi partners with from his Mississauga, ON office have different goals and personal preferences. Fortunately, Dr. Elwi can improve gummy smiles quickly and non-invasively with Botox®.

He applies his considerable expertise in cosmetic dentistry, smile makeovers, and full-mouth rehabilitation to correct those smiles that generally expose at least three millimeters of gingiva (gums) in the upper jaw. “Typical” smiles expose no more than two millimeters of gummy tissue. These imbalances can make patients feel like their teeth are “too small.” They may lack confidence and hide their smiles.

Getting to the “root” of a gummy smile

Known as “gingival hypertrophy,” gingiva that is oversized can produce a gummy smile. Such overgrowth in tissues may be caused by some medications. Surgery is an alternative treatment for enlarged gums. Additionally, patients with gummy smiles may have:

• An oversized upper jaw; such maxillary excess exposes more of the gingiva, and can be an inherited trait
• Overly short or “hyperactive” upper lips
• Small or “hidden” teeth that expose more gingiva

Treating gummy smiles with Botox®

Botox® represents a light-touch, non-surgical, quick, and well-tolerated way to bring balance and harmonious aesthetics to a gummy smile. This gel is formulated with Botulinum Toxin Type A. Dr. Elwi precisely injects Botox® with a fine needle to targeted treatment sites. As a “neuromodulator,” Botox® works by interfering with the neural signals that tell your muscles to contract. In turn, specific muscles responsible for an overly gummy smile are relaxed. As the tension in the upper lip rises and muscles eases, the gums provide appropriate “cover” when you smile. The lips do not retreat or pull back to reveal too much of the gingival tissue.

When at least one or two units of Botox® are injected into the area between the nose and upper lips, the smile no longer looks “gummy.” Attractive smile aesthetics and proportions are achieved. These results typically persist for three months or longer. So, maintenance injections are necessary to retain cosmetically pleasing proportions; however, touch-up appointments may be administered less frequently over time. Dr. Elwi’s patients also appreciate that they can get results (almost) in an instant. There is no downtime. They can get back to work and other activities immediately following each treatment session. Additional benefits of Botox® for a gummy smile include:

• Treatment is associated with minimal discomfort
• Side effects, such as tenderness, are further minimized with repeated treatment sessions
• There is nothing to “recover from,” no demands on your body for healing and no strain on your time and schedule
• When partnering with a skilled and experienced clinical team (like Smile Horizons Dental Arts), results from treatment look natural and not “overdone”; safety is supported, and risks are also avoided
• Injections are highly personalized to each patient’s needs
• Treatment represents an affordable alternative to invasive surgery and other techniques

Smile Horizons Dental Arts lives up to its name; we combine dental science and artistry to boost each patient’s smile appeal. Call (905) 607-8778 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Elwi and learn more about potential options to enhance a gummy smile, including Botox®.

Frequently Asked Questions