Redefining treatment of gummy smile with Botox--a report of three cases

Int J Orthod Milwaukee. 2014 Winter;25(4):63-6.

Abstract

Excessive contraction of upper lip elevator muscles is one of the many ascribed reasons of gummy smiles for which patients seek treatment. Myriad numbers of invasive surgical procedures have been employed for the improvement of the condition, but increased cost and involved risks act as major deterrent. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been widely used in the management of several conditions associated with excessive muscular contraction and pain. This article aims to highlight the efficacy of BTX-A in treatment of gummy smiles. Three adult patients with gummy smiles due to hyperfunctional upper lip muscles were injected with BTX-A injections under electromyographic guidance. This minimally invasive treatment modality produced esthetically pleasing smiles in these patients, lasting up to 3-5 months. BTX-A injections at preselected hyperactive muscle sites provides novel and cosmetically viable alternative for management of gummy smiles caused by hypefunctional upper lip musculature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / therapeutic use*
  • Cephalometry / methods
  • Cosmetic Techniques
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Esthetics
  • Facial Muscles / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gingiva / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Incisor / anatomy & histology
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Lip / drug effects*
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Odontometry / methods
  • Smiling*
  • Tooth Crown / anatomy & histology

Substances

  • Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A