An Approach for Gummy Smile Treatment Using Botulinum Toxin A: A Narrative Review of the Literature

The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize the evidence on the effectiveness and longevity of the botulinum toxin in the treatment of individuals with excessive gingival exposure. The search was adapted to six electronic databases and gray literature. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-Randomized and Randomized Studies of Interventions. Meta-analyses and meta-regression were performed using random effects models. A total of 5247 articles were collected during the final search in the database, resulting in 17 articles included. There was a mean decrease of 3.42 mm [95% CI = -4.50 to -2.34; I2 = 97%] in the level of gingival exposure 2 weeks after the application of botulinum toxin. The application time explained 29.58% of the observed variance (p < 0.001), with a tendency for the effect size to decrease from the second week of application onwards, with values returning close to baseline levels in 24 weeks. Botulinum toxin is an alternative technique considered effective for reducing gummy smile, especially for gummy smiles up to 4 mm, with a longevity of at least 12 weeks, returning close to initial values within 24 weeks after application. The knowledge about the longevity and effectiveness of botulinum toxin in the treatment of gummy smile allows for a more adequate clinical planning for these cases, as well as for clinical decisions, as for prognostic factors.

To evaluate the effect and longevity of Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®) in the management of gummy smile – A longitudinal study upto 4 years follow-up

Currently, concern about facial attractiveness is increasing, and this fact has led to orthodontics in adult patients being an increasingly demanded treatment, and with it, multi-disciplinary work. When it is caused by a vertical excess of the maxilla, the ideal solution is orthognathic surgery. However, in borderline cases and when the cause is hyperactivity of the upper lip levator muscle complex, alternative conservative solutions can be considered, such as the application of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A). Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by a bacterium and causes a reduction in the force of muscle contraction. The multi-factorial nature of the smile requires an individualized diagnosis in each patient, since there are multiple ways to treat the gummy smile (orthognathic surgery, gingivoplasty, orthodontic intrusion). In recent years, interest has grown in the simplest techniques that allow the patient to quickly return to their usual routine, such as lip replacement. However, this procedure shows recurrences in the first 6–8 post-operative weeks. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to analyze the effectiveness of BTX-A in the treatment of gummy smile in the short term, to study its stability, and to evaluate potential complications. A thorough search of the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases and a grey literature search were conducted. The inclusion criteria were studies with a sample size greater than or equal to 10 patients with gingival exposure greater than 2 mm in smile, treated with BTX-A infiltration. Those patients whose exclusive etiology of their gummy smile was related to altered passive eruption, gingival thickening, or overeruption of upper incisors were excluded. In the qualitative analysis, the mean pre-treatment gingival exposure ranged between 3.5 and 7.2 mm, reaching a reduction of up to 6 mm after infiltration with botulinum toxin at 12 weeks. Although multiple muscles are involved in the facial expression, the muscles par excellence selected for blockade with BTX-A were levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris ala nasalis, and zygomaticus minor, infiltrating from 1.25 to 7.5 units per side. In the quantitative analysis, the difference in mean reduction between both groups was −2.51 mm at two weeks and −2.24 mm at three months. The benefit of BTX-A in terms of improvement of gummy smile is demonstrated, as a significant reduction in gummy smile is estimated by BTX-A therapy two weeks after its application. Its results gradually decrease over time, however, they stay satisfactory without returning to their initial values after 12 weeks.

Treatment of gummy smile: Nasal septum dysplasia as etiologic factor and therapeutic target

Gummy smile, dermatologist or dentist?

Gummy smile is a condition characterized by excessive exposure of the gums during smiling. The demand for treatment for this condition has increased in recent years, and numerous techniques have been reported to treat gummy smile, such as gingivectomy, orthognathic surgery, lip repositioning surgery, and botulinum toxin injections. The objective of the work was to answer the guiding question: “What is the effect of botulinum toxin type A in the management of excessive gingival exposure – gummy smile?”. The databases Pubmed, Scielo and LILACS were used. The search was carried out in an advanced form, considering the descriptors: botulinum toxin, gummy smile, gum, botox and minimally invasive procedures. The inclusion criteria used were complete articles available in full, in the listed databases, published in the last 5 years in Portuguese, English and Spanish languages. Off-topic publications; in vitro and animal studies, literature reviews, theses, monographs and book chapters were excluded. 143 articles were retrieved, of which 77 were excluded due to duplication. After analyzing the titles and abstracts, 17 works were selected. At the end of the selection, 11 articles were included after reading the full text. It was concluded that the application of botulinum toxin is a safe and effective procedure for managing excessive gummy smile. It presented low rates of complications and high levels of satisfaction among patients. However, the patient must be aware that the clinical effect of botulinum toxin is temporary and requires periodic touch-ups to maintain the desired result. Keywords: Botulinum toxin. Gummy smile. Gingiva. Botox. Minimally invasive procedures.

The gummy smile is characterized by a marked gingival exposure on smiling and it has been considered as one of the main complaints of patients, also influencing on self-esteem and social relationship. The development of new techniques such as botulinum toxin application may be a more conservative treatment option than surgical intervention (myectomy and Le Fort I osteotomy) in the treatment of gummy smile. Objective: To present the case of a patient who presented dental-gingival discrepancy and gummy smile, treated by gingival resection surgery and complemented by the application of botulinum toxin. Case report: A female patient, 23 years old, presented dental-gingival discrepancy and gummy smile, treated by gingival resection surgery and complemented by the application of botulinum toxin. Results: The gingival resection surgery promoted improvement of dental relationship, caused by increase of dental zenith and the application of botulinum toxin caused uniform dehiscence of the upper lip, increasing the harmony of the smile and improving self-esteem and quality life. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin is an additional option in the cosmetic improvement of the smile and gives better results when combined with gingival resection surgery.

Botulinum toxin for gummy smile correction

ABSTRACTAim:This study aimed to compare the effectiveness, duration, and patient satisfaction of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) and hyaluronic fillers in treating gummy smiles.Materials and Method:A prospective clinical study was conducted at D.Y. Patil University, involving 14 patients aged 18–40 years with a gummy smile of ≥3 mm. Participants were divided into two groups: Group A (BTX-A injections) and Group B (hyaluronic fillers). Gingival display was measured using standardized photographic methods at baseline and follow-up visits (14, 30, 60, and 90 days). Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).Result:The results indicated that while BTX-A provided immediate improvements, hyaluronic fillers demonstrated more consistent and prolonged results. Patient satisfaction was higher in the hyaluronic filler group, with most patients reporting exceptional improvement (GAIS score of 1) across all follow-ups. No severe adverse effects were observed in either group.Conclusion:Hyaluronic fillers demonstrate superior effectiveness and patient satisfaction compared to BTX-A in the treatment of gummy smiles.

A successful management of sever gummy smile using gingivectomy and botulinum toxin injection: A case report

The use of botulinum toxin (BTX) represents an effective and safe approach in treating the gummy smile, reducing excessive gum exposure during smiling. This minimally invasive procedure can yield remarkable aesthetic results and contribute to an increase in the patient's self-confidence. The aim of this study is to report a clinical case of a female patient undergoing treatment to correct a gummy smile. The case study involves a 21-year-old patient with excessive gum exposure (5 mm when smiling) who sought dental treatment. The origin of her gummy smile was mixed, and the treatment involved the application of 6 units of BTX type A at three specific points on the face. No complications were observed during the three-month follow-up period. Based on the case report, it can be concluded that BTX application for gummy smile treatment proved to be effective, safe, and comfortable in terms of recovery. The BTX approach to correcting a gummy smile is considered safe and entails straightforward recovery, producing satisfactory results that contribute to the improvement of aesthetics and the patient's well-being.

Nowadays, aesthetics has become one of the goals to be achieved during dental treatment, the smile in turn is among one of the most important elements of the face, for it to be considered harmonious there must be a correlation between lips, shape and color of the dental elements and gums. When the smile is characterized by an exaggerated exposure of the gums, it is considered unsightly and is called "Gummy Smile". Among its etiologies, we find hyperactivity of the upper lip, which occurs when the muscles responsible for smiling exert a force greater than normal; Botulinum toxin is considered a treatment option in these cases. Therefore, through a literature review, this study aims to discuss the gummy smile and the use of botulinum toxin as a therapeutic treatment option when it has the etiology of the hyperactivity of the upper lip. Google Scholar, Scielo, Pubmed, physical and virtual libraries were used as databases. In view of the research, it was possible to conclude that botulinum toxin is effective for the treatment of gummy smile, as it is a procedure that has ease and safety in application, fast action and low risk, but the correct diagnosis is essential to outline the treatment plan with satisfactory results, as it is also concluded that this treatment option will be effective only when the etiology is the hyperactivity of the upper lip.

Background: The pursuit of esthetic excellence has become a major goal in the dental treatment. Gummy smile is one of the complaints of the patients, since such a situation can influence self-esteem and social relationships. The beauty of the smile is not only constituted by the shape, position and size of the teeth, but also based on the characteristics of the gingival tissue and conformation of the lips, which should be as harmonious as teeth. The development of new more conservative techniques may provide a better therapeutic option than surgical procedures, such as the application of botulinum toxin, in the treatment of gummy smile. Purpose: to present the case of a patient who presented dentogingival discrepancy caused by gingival overgrowth and gummy smile, treated by gingivoplasty and complemented by application of botulinum toxin. Description of the case: The gingivoplasty was performed followed by the application of botulinum toxin type A. Results: The gingivoplasty resulted of the improvement of gingival arches and the application of botulinum toxin promoted the dehiscence of upper lip, reducing the gingival exposure. Conclusions: The application of botulinum toxin, associated with gingivoplasty, is an important tool at the management of gummy smile, optimizing smile harmony and achieving improved self-esteem and quality of life.

Background. The present study aimed to assess the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for the management of gummy smile and evaluate its stability after administrating BTX-A clinically and using electromyography. Methods. The investigators designed and implemented a prospective clinical study on 10 patients with a gummy smile. Patients with different types of gummy smile were injected with BTX-A in the levator muscles of the upper lip and were followed for six months. The effect of BTX-A was evaluated clinically and using electromyography preoperatively and after two weeks and three and six months. Statistical analyses were carried out using repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni tests for pairwise comparisons. Results. The sample consisted of 10 patients with an anterior gummy smile (n=3), posterior gummy smile (n=2), mixed gummy smile (n=3), and asymmetrical gummy smile (n=2). There were significant differences (P < 0.001) between the mean gingival display and compound muscle action potential at two-weeks and three-month follow-ups. The maximum result was obtained at the two-week interval. The mean gingival display and C-MAP values increased slightly at the three-month postoperative interval and gradually increased to the baseline values at six-month follow-up. Conclusion. BTX-A is an effective, minimally invasive, and temporary treatment modality for gummy smiles. The electromyographic study is a convenient method for assessing changes in the upper lip muscle contractility to quantify the effect of BTX-A in the treatment of gummy smile.

A gummy smile is an excessive exposure of the gums while smiling. There are four types: anterior- excessive gum exposure from canine to canine, posterior — excessive gum exposure in the lateral segment, mixed — combining the anterior and posterior components, and asymmetrical — with a disproportion between the right and left side. The causes of gingival smile include: skeletal defect, delayed passive tooth eruption, nasal septal dysplasia, and excessive muscle activity. A simple, fast and minimally invasive method of gummy smile therapy caused by excessive muscle activity is the supply of botulinum toxin type A to the muscles responsible for a given type of smile. A favorable aesthetic effect can be achieved with a good knowledge of application sites and individually selected doses. When determining the dose, which is described in the literature between 2 IU and 10 IU onabotulin per page, researchers take into account not only the type of corrected smile, the number of puncture points, but also gender and age of the patient.