Skin Conditions
Gummy Smile Treatment in Northampton
Showing more gum than you'd like when smiling brings people from Wellingborough, Thrapston and Northampton to consultation — often after feeling self-conscious about it for years before asking about treatment.
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Trusted in Northampton since 2003 — over 20 years of doctor-led aesthetic medicine.
When More Gum Than You'd Like Shows When You Smile
A gummy smile — technically known as excessive gingival display — is when a significant amount of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth when smiling. Most people show a small amount of gum when they smile fully, which is entirely normal. A gummy smile is generally considered present when four millimetres or more of gum is visible, though for many patients it is simply a matter of how they feel about their smile rather than a clinical threshold.
It is a common concern and one that patients often feel self-conscious about for years before seeking treatment. The cause is usually an overactive elevator muscle — the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi — which lifts the upper lip too high when smiling, exposing more of the gum than the patient would like. It can also be influenced by the size and shape of the teeth, the length of the upper lip, and the position of the jaw.
The good news is that for the majority of patients with a muscle-driven gummy smile, treatment is straightforward, effective and requires no surgery or recovery time.
Treatments to Consider
Anti-Wrinkle Injections are the most effective non-surgical treatment for a gummy smile. Small, precise doses of botulinum toxin are placed into the elevator muscles of the upper lip, reducing their ability to lift the lip as high when smiling. Results are visible within two weeks and typically last three to four months.
This is a treatment that requires precision and experience — the upper lip muscles are small and closely situated, and the dose and placement need to be judged carefully. It's performed by Dr John Tanqueray, who treats this area regularly and with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this affect how I talk or eat?
No — the doses used are small and precisely placed, so normal speech and eating aren't affected.
How much gum needs to show for this to be worth treating?
There's no fixed threshold — if it bothers you, it's worth discussing at consultation, regardless of the exact measurement.
Is this a permanent change?
No — like other anti-wrinkle treatment, the effect gradually wears off, typically after three to four months, so it's repeated as needed.
Will my smile still look natural?
Yes — the aim is a smile that shows less gum while still looking balanced and natural, never flat or frozen.
What People Tell Us
“The best Botox I have had in years — very clean and hygienic.”
— Jessica F.
“Professional and trustworthy — perfect natural results.”
— Jelena M.
More From the Mulberry House Journal
Browse further articles and advice from the clinic in the Mulberry House Journal.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Book a consultation with our clinical team, or explore our full range of treatments — no pressure, no hard sell, just a clear sense of what will genuinely suit you.