Opposite of gummy smile - what can I do about lip curling back and creating a shelf? (photos)

Question

My lips look bigger when i smile because the top lip rolls up, but my nose tip also pulls down so I get this little pocket of shadow. Between my deviated septum causing my tip to become uneven and age (44) i dislike smiling photos because the shadow gives it a witchy/birdlike vibe. It created a wrinkle in the philtrum area from years of smiling like this. I cant smile differently, ive tried, it looks weird. Jessica Biel has a similar smile but I cant find what its called or how to treat it.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

When we see a horizontal line like that it often indicates that the lip is too long and struggling to lift.  A lip lift ( a procedure I largely reintroduced ) can be done with a rhinoplasty to correct both issues.

Adam Goodwin, MBBS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

so it's definitely worth trying asymmetric Botox to your central lip elevators.

You can damp down that curl without paralysing your smile, and I think it will make a positive change, and at worst will only last 3 to 4 months.

I have a video on this type of question on my YouTube channel Adam goodwin surgery, if you'd be interested.

Best wishes, Adam, Goodwin.

Wayne F. Larrabee, MD · Answer

It is difficult to determine the cause for sure without an examination. In certain people and attached frenulum which is tight can cause this. This would feel like a tight band running vertically in the midline of your upper lip. If this were present it is very simple to fix and perhaps to solve your problem. Some small amount of Botox could also provide a temporary solution.

BOTOX FOR GUMMY SMILE PROVIDERS NEAR YOU

Opposite of gummy smile - what can I do about lip curling back and creating a shelf? (photos)

Answers (3)

BOTOX FOR GUMMY SMILE PROVIDERS NEAR YOU