Can a Nose Job Reduce 'Gummy' Smile?

In certain cases of overexposed upper gums, yes, rhinoplasty surgery can reduce the show. This usually requires the nasal tip to be set back, releasing what we frequently see as a “tension” nose.

A gummy smile could be due to several factors.  you will need to be evaluated to find out what procedures could be done to improve your smile.  These procedures could be combination of jaw surgery (if maxillary excess), gum surgery (if excess gingiva and bone surrounding teeth).  There is also another technique called lip repositioning .  This will limit the amount of your lip movement during , therefore covers the excess gum. 

you don't need to get a nose job if you don"t need one just to "maybe" correct your gummy smile.

Botox is a temporary measure.  I think other options should be looked into first.  Get a referral to Oral surgeon/ Orthodontist/ and periodontist. This might need a collaborative effort to diagnose and treat, to get you the best results.

In my experience, Botox or Dysport work very well for reducing the appearance a gummy smile if the issue is too much lift of your upper lip. Rhinoplasty, a wonderful procedure for changing the shape of your nose, is not indicated for this purpose. 

  A gummy smile would not be corrected with Rhinoplasty. A safe (off label) way to correct a gummy smile is by using Botox or Dysport.  If you are going to do this however, make sure you see a physician who is experienced in using a neurotoxin for this purpose. It usually requires very little product and works very well.

A gummy smile can be caused by a variety of factors which most commonly includes: 


Vertical maxillary excess (excess bone of upper lip)

Hyperfunction of lip elevators (muscles that make you smile)

Excessive gum surrounding the teeth


In cases of vertical maxillary excess, orthognathic  and maxillofacial surgery is probably the best bet to get started.  In patients who are not candidates for either or who have already had maxillofacial surgery, a rhinoplasty can sometimes be helpful.  Rhinoplasty can reduce the presence of the nasal spine and subperiosteal release the lip elevator muscles helping to camouflage the amount of gum shown.  Botox can be helpful in specific circumstances as well.  

During a rhinoplasty, there are certain maneuvers that may alter the smile, including diminishing the upward movement of the lip. There are procedures to help reduce a gummy, but a rhinoplasty is not the procedure of choice.

A gummy smile can be improved with durring a rhinoplasty. This is done by cutting a muscle durring part of the operation. The effect is a lowering of the upper lip. This can be simulated pre-operatively by applying botox to the muscle.

There are a number of causes of a gummy smile, such as excess height of your upper jaw, hyperactive lip re tractor muscle, overly strong nasal spine bone, excessively long upper incisors, etc.  If you had an upper jaw surgery your gummy smile should have been improved somewhat.  At this point make sure your surgeon has experience and expertise to make a correct diagnosis as to your residual gummy smile.  In my practice we treat patient for a gummy smile all the time,  once we determine accurately what causes this condition, we can offer appropriate treatment.

A nose job (rhinoplasty) changes the appearance of the nose only.  Upper jaw surgery would be required to fix a gummy smile. This is complex surgery that must be meticulously planned.  Often it is preceded by orthodontics. 

Rhinoplasty will not reduce the appearance of a gummy smile.  You should consider seeking a plastic surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon who has much experience with vertical maxillary excess to consider upper jaw surgery if this is a significant concern.