Botox for Gummy Smile?

Hi Robin
BOTOX is great for some things. Not so great for other things. The gummy smile I think is mostly a doctor created sensitivity. Think about where you learned that this was a "issue." To counter act this "issue" BOTOX is injected into the lip elevators including the lavator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaequae nasi, and occasionally the zygomaticus minor muscle. For sure this lowers the upper lip and covers the gums if the show when you smile. But typically this kill a beautiful big smile. Also to my eye, there is something unnatural about the effect. Also at the top of the nasolabial fold a small fullness can appear that is caused by the relaxed lavtor labii superioris. Also the treatment can result in an asymmetric smile.
Someone has under minded your confidence in what is probably a fantastic, beautiful smile. Don't get this treatment. Keep smiling.

Botox may lower the upper lip to not be able to show the gum line when you smile. There is a risk of too much lowering; affecting your singing or playing of a wind instrument.  Be careful in this area.

While Botox can be used to treat a gummy smile, this procedure can be very tricky to get just right, and can be very unpredictable. You must only have it done by a very experienced injector. The potential downside can be an asymmetry of your smile or changes in your upper lip muscle dynamics!
I have favored using Juvederm for a gummy smile by enhancing the upper lip in a very natural way. This seems to work very well and is very striaghtforward. Some of my happiest patients are ones that have had this procedure done for a gummy smile! Photographs can be seen on my website of just such a patient.
You may also want to consider seeing a craniofacial or maxillofacial surgeon for consultation if your gummy sile is severe. There are some potential sugical solutions for this issue.