Botox · Gummy Smile · Dubai
Gummy Smile Botox in Dubai
A gummy smile is when excessive gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth when smiling. Botox relaxes the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN) — the muscle that lifts the upper lip too high — reducing gum show and creating a more balanced smile. Dr Azra Vaziri offers this treatment using Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin in Dubai.
- 15 minutesProcedure
- 4–8Units
- From AED 200Price
- 3–4 monthsDuration
Gummy Smile Botox in Dubai at a glance
Dr Azra Vaziri treats a gummy smile with a few units of Botox to relax the upper-lip muscle and reduce gum show. Results in 3–7 days, lasting 3–4 months.
- Procedure
- 15 minutes
- Units
- 4–8
- Price
- From AED 200
- Duration
- 3–4 months
Performed by Dr Azra Vaziri at Prof Sakla Spanish Eye Clinic, Dubai
How Gummy Smile Treatment Works
The amount of gum show varies — up to 2mm is considered normal, while more than 3–4mm is typically considered a gummy smile. The LLSAN muscle (levator labii superioris alaeque nasi) runs alongside the nose and is responsible for pulling the upper lip upward when you smile. In patients with a gummy smile, this muscle is hyperactive, causing the lip to rise higher than necessary and expose excessive gum tissue.
Botox provides a simple, non-surgical correction by relaxing the LLSAN. Results appear within 3–7 days. Conservative dosing is essential — over-treatment can make it difficult to smile naturally or use a straw. This is why precision and experience matter, and why Dr Azra Vaziri starts with the minimum effective dose and fine-tunes at the two-week review.
Dr Azra selects the right neuromodulator brand (Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin) based on each patient’s anatomy, muscle strength, and the degree of gum show. The number of units required is typically 4 to 8 — making this one of the lowest-dose Botox treatments available.
Treatment Details
Unsure how many units you would need? Ask Dr Azra at your consultation.
- Target: LLSAN muscle (beside each nostril)
- Units: 4–8 (full dosage guide)
- Products: Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin
- Price: From AED 200 (Korean 200, Dysport 400, Allergan 500, Xeomin 600) (full pricing)
- Duration: 3–4 months
- Onset: 3–7 days
Best Combined With
Combinations are planned in one appointment — contact us to discuss what suits your smile.
- Lip flip — adjust upper lip position and gum show together
- Lip filler — enhance lip proportion alongside gum correction
- Baby Botox — subtle, low-dose approach for natural results
What to Expect
Before treatment — Dr Azra assesses the degree of gum show, upper lip length, tooth proportion, and LLSAN muscle strength. She determines the optimal injection points and product. If your gummy smile is caused by skeletal or dental factors rather than muscle hyperactivity, she will advise whether Botox alone is sufficient or if a dental or surgical referral is more appropriate.
During treatment — Ice or topical anaesthetic is applied to the injection sites beside each nostril. Dr Azra administers 2 to 4 precise micro-injections using an ultra-fine needle. The entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes. Most patients describe only a mild pinch.
After treatment — You can return to normal activities immediately. Small injection marks fade within an hour. Avoid rubbing the area, intense exercise, and lying face-down for 24 hours. Results begin developing within 3 to 7 days as the LLSAN muscle relaxes and the upper lip settles into a lower resting position.
Results timeline — Full effect is visible by day 10 to 14. A complimentary review at two weeks allows Dr Azra to assess the result and perform a small touch-up if needed. Because the LLSAN is a small, frequently used muscle, gummy smile Botox typically lasts 3 to 4 months — slightly shorter than larger treatment areas like the forehead.
Not sure whether your gum show is driven by an over-active muscle or by your lip and jaw structure? That is the first thing Dr Azra checks, because it decides whether Botox alone will give you the result you want. Contact us to arrange an assessment.
Botox vs Surgical Gummy Smile Correction
For patients with mild to moderate gum show caused by muscle hyperactivity, Botox is an ideal first-line treatment — non-surgical, no downtime, and results are visible within a week. Surgical options such as lip repositioning surgery or gingivectomy (gum contouring) are available for more severe cases or patients seeking a permanent correction.
Many patients use Botox as a trial run — experiencing the aesthetic improvement for 3 to 4 months before deciding whether to commit to a permanent surgical procedure. Dr Azra can advise on the best approach during your consultation.
Comparing Your Gummy Smile Options
The right correction depends on what is driving the gum show — an over-active muscle, excess gum tissue, or the underlying bone and lip structure.
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The table below sets out how the three main options compare so you can discuss the best route at your consultation.
Because Botox is non-permanent and needs no recovery, it is the usual starting point: patients see how a lower, more balanced smile suits them and only consider surgery if they later want the change made permanent. Dr Azra reviews your gum show, upper-lip length and tooth proportion at the consultation before recommending any route, and will refer you for a dental or surgical opinion when that is the more suitable long-term answer.
| Option | Type | Downtime | Result lasts | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gummy Smile Botox | Non-surgical injection | None | 3–4 months | Mild to moderate, muscle-driven gum show |
| Lip repositioning surgery | Surgical (oral) | About 1–2 weeks | Long-term to permanent | Moderate to severe cases wanting a permanent fix |
| Gingivectomy (gum contouring) | Dental surgical | Several days to weeks | Permanent | Gum show from excess or uneven gum tissue |
Recovery and Aftercare
Gummy smile Botox has essentially zero downtime. Follow these guidelines for optimal results:
First 24 Hours
- Remain upright for 4 hours after treatment
- Do not rub, press, or massage around the nose
- Avoid intense exercise, hot yoga, saunas
- Skip alcohol for 24 hours
- Avoid lying face-down when sleeping
First 2 Weeks
If anything concerns you during these two weeks, contact the clinic straight away.
For detailed post-treatment guidance covering all Botox areas, see our complete Botox aftercare guide. You can also contact us with any post-treatment question.
- Avoid facials and chemical peels
- Do not start new retinoid products
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- Protect the area from prolonged sun exposure
- Attend your 2-week review for touch-up if needed
- Full results visible by day 10–14
Who Benefits from Gummy Smile Botox
Good Candidates
- Excessive gum show (3mm+) when smiling
- Self-consciousness about gummy smile in photos or social settings
- Gum show caused by muscle hyperactivity (not skeletal)
- Patients wanting a non-surgical, reversible correction
- Those considering surgical correction but wanting to trial the result first
- Men and women of all ages
May Not Be Suitable
Suitability is confirmed during your consultation with Dr Azra.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active skin infection in the treatment area
- Allergy to botulinum toxin or albumin
- Gummy smile caused by skeletal excess or short upper lip (may need surgery)
- Excessive gum show caused by dental factors (may need gingivectomy)
Who Measures Your Smile Before Injecting — Dr Azra Vaziri
A gummy smile is corrected by weakening a specific lip lifter by a specific amount; too much and the smile flattens on one side.
Every Gummy Smile Botox appointment at this clinic is assessed and injected by Dr Azra Vaziri herself — a DHA- and DOH-licensed aesthetic physician with more than 20 years of experience, practising aesthetic medicine since 2004.
Training behind the injection
- Belotero and Xeomin injection workshops — Merz Aesthetics distributor in Iran (2015–2023) — she ran neurotoxin injection training for other physicians, which is where dose per muscle is taught.
- Think-In, Anatomy & Aesthetic Treatment Workshop (2023) — facial anatomy training — this correction depends entirely on identifying which lifter is dominant in your smile.
- Speaker — IMCAS World Congress 2024 (Paris), and Dubai Derma in 2023 and 2026
Gummy Smile Botox Pricing
Prices are per treatment. The exact dose is confirmed during consultation with Dr Azra.
| Brand | Original Price | Discounted Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dysport | AED 500 | AED 400 |
| Korean | AED 300 | AED 200 |
| Xeomin | AED 700 | AED 600 |
| Botox | AED 600 | AED 500 |
Gummy Smile Botox Before and After
A confident smile, less gum show. A few precise units of gummy smile Botox relax the muscle that over-lifts the upper lip — the smile stays completely natural, just more balanced.
Gummy smile Botox — treated by Dr. Azra Vaziri, Dubai. Book a consultation.
Gummy smile Botox in a male patient — less gum show, before (top) and after (bottom).
* Photographs published with the patient’s written consent, in line with UAE medical advertising regulations. Individual results vary — book a consultation to see cases similar to yours.
See also: All botox areas
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Botox fix a gummy smile?
Botox relaxes the LLSAN muscle (levator labii superioris alaeque nasi) which lifts the upper lip too high when smiling. By reducing muscle contraction, the upper lip sits slightly lower, covering excess gum tissue for a more balanced, natural-looking smile.
How many units of Botox for a gummy smile?
Typically 4 to 8 units total (2 to 4 per side). Conservative dosing is essential — over-treatment can make it difficult to smile naturally or use a straw. Dr Azra starts conservatively and adjusts at the 2-week review. See the full unit dosage guide for all areas.
How long does gummy smile Botox last?
Results last 3 to 4 months, slightly shorter than other Botox areas because the LLSAN is a smaller, more active muscle. Regular maintenance every 3 to 4 months maintains the correction.
Is gummy smile Botox painful?
Most patients feel only a mild pinch. The injection sites are beside each nostril. Ice or topical numbing is applied for comfort. The procedure takes about 15 minutes.
How much does gummy smile Botox cost in Dubai?
Gummy smile Botox with Dr Azra starts at AED 200. Most patients pay AED 200–600 depending on the brand used (Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin). This is one of the most affordable Botox treatments due to the low unit count. Full Botox pricing →
Can I combine gummy smile Botox with a lip flip?
Yes — this is a popular combination. A lip flip relaxes the orbicularis oris to reveal more upper lip vermilion, while gummy smile Botox reduces gum show. Together they create a balanced, proportionate smile. Some patients also add lip filler for additional volume.
What is the difference between gummy smile Botox and surgery?
Botox is non-surgical, takes 15 minutes, has no downtime, and lasts 3 to 4 months. Surgical options (lip repositioning or gingivectomy) are permanent but involve recovery time and higher cost. Botox is ideal for mild to moderate gummy smiles or patients who want to trial the result before considering surgery.
When will I see results?
Results develop within 3 to 7 days as the LLSAN muscle relaxes. Full effect is visible by day 10 to 14. A touch-up can be performed at the 2-week review if needed. See the aftercare guide for post-treatment tips.
Book a Consultation
Dr Azra Vaziri — DHA & DOH licensed aesthetic physician with 20+ years of experience in Dubai & Abu Dhabi.
