DESCRIPTION
Gummy Smile Treatment - Adelaide
Transform your gummy smile today with anti-wrinkle muscle relaxant injections.
Smile confidently with muscle relaxing injections, for gummy smile treatment at Advanced Cosmetic Medicine. All treatments are carried out by our expert Dr Rahma Targett. Gummy Smile is a phenomenon that when some people smile, their upper lip elevates too far above their upper teeth, exposing gums and producing an unattractive smile. This happens due to several causes. One of the causes is hyperactive muscle which elevates the upper lip. Occasionally, the gummy smile is also aggravated by a thin upper lip that further contributes to the problem by exposing the upper gum even more. Fortunately, a gummy smile can be simply and effectively corrected by muscle relaxing injections to reduce the activity of the muscle that elevates the upper lip.
The Benefits
1. The use of anti-wrinkle injections for our gummy smile treatment causes minimal discomfort as topical numbing cream is applied before the treatment.
2. Recovery from the treatment is immediate, and patients can continue their day as normal afterwards.
3. Anti-wrinkle injections are a great cost-effective option in treating a gummy smile compared to surgical and dental options.
4. Results can immediately be seen and will enhance your natural beauty and smile.
5. The treatment can often improve a patient’s quality of life as they have the confidence to smile brightly once again.
6. The treatment is incredibly versatile, treating lips and gummy smiles of all shapes and sizes.
How it works
What is a gummy smile?
There is no exact definition for what a gummy smile is, but generally, if three to four millimetres of exposed gumline is seen when smiling, this is considered a gummy smile. The look of your gummy smile can be affected by the size and shape of your teeth, how your lips move when smiling, and your jaw angle compared to the rest of your face. Our treatment can be considerably beneficial for individuals with especially pronounced gummy smiles who deal with self-esteem and confidence issues.
What causes a gummy smile?
There are three leading causes when it comes to gummy smiles, and they will differ for every patient, including:
Differences in tooth growth
In some cases, the way adult teeth grow can result in a gummy smile, and some small studies have found this can be a hereditary trait. Gums that covered more of your teeth’s surface when they came in, known as altered passive eruption, can eventually lead to a gummy smile. Front teeth that have grown too far or over erupted may cause your gums to extend further than they should, known as dentoalveolar extrusion. There are jaw conditions that can also contribute to developing a gummy smile.
Lip shape differences
When the upper lip is short or thin, this can cause the gums to appear when smiling. If lips are hypermobile, meaning they move dramatically when smiling, they may also prominently expose the gumline.
Medications
Gingival hyperplasia is a condition that causes the gums to overgrow around the teeth and can be caused by certain medications. Other drugs used to treat seizures, the immune system, or high blood pressure can also contribute to overgrown gums. This can eventually lead to a gummy smile.
How is a gummy smile be treated?
Dental surgeries can reduce gummy smiles, but they are often expensive and involve a substantial recovery period. At ACM, we use anti-wrinkle injections as a less invasive, cost-effective treatment option that can successfully improve the appearance of a gummy smile by lessening the exposure of the gums.
Anti-wrinkle injections are designed to relax muscles, and for our gummy smile treatment, injections are made around the upper lip muscle. Where precisely the injections are made around the lip will depend on your individual lip shape and size. When smiling, thin lips may be elevated and curled out to cover the gum area adequately. Small injections can also be made to reduce the height of the upper lip, but this is highly dependent on the amount of gum exposed and your lip size and shape.
Dermal lip fillers can also achieve the results patients desire from a gummy smile treatment. The filler can enhance the volume of your lips if they are especially thin, enhancing the symmetry of your smile and reducing the exposed gum appearance by plumping the upper lip.
What are muscle relaxing injections?
Muscle relaxing injections is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. It relaxes the muscle by temporarily blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. This reduces muscle activity that lifts the upper lip up when smiling. The cosmetic effect of muscle relaxing injections was first documented as early as 1989. It is now regularly used by many, both male and female, as it is less intrusive and less artificial in appearance than traditional forms of treatment such as plastic surgery
What should I expect during the procedure?
Prior to the treatment :
A full medical consultation will be completed to confirm your suitability for the treatment. The doctor may examine your ability to move certain muscles to determine location, size and use of the muscles that cause the area of concern. The desired results will then be discussed and a treatment plan will be created
Treatment :
A small amount of muscle relaxing injection will be injected at both sides of the junction of nostril and nose to mouth fold to weaken the muscles. Within the next 3-4 days, the elevation of the upper lip will gradually become less and your new smile is transformed! You will be showing less gum and have much more confidence to smile without inhibition. The full result will be achieved 2 weeks after the treatment
Post-treatment :
Avoid touching, massaging or apply cosmetics or creams to the area for 6 hours. This will reduce the risk of infection. All aftercare instructions will be discussed with you before the treatment by our Clinic Coordinator
What are the complications or risks associated with anti-wrinkle injections?
There are complications and risks associated with any cosmetic procedure or treatment patients choose to undergo. Anti-wrinkle injections are known to have the following associated risks:
- Headache
- Redness
- Skin tightness
- Muscle weakness
- Temporary numbness
- Skin sensations such as pins and needles
- Swelling
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
Patients should ensure they follow all aftercare advice given by Dr Targett to ensure optimal healing and prevent any of these risks or complications.
The Doctor
Dr Rahma Targett
Dr Rahma Targett is a General Practitioner(FRACGP), with a specialty in Cosmetic Medicine. She founded Advanced Cosmetic Medicine in 2016 and has since become well known as a trusted and in demand Cosmetic Physician in Adelaide. She has a Diploma in Dermoscopy and a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine with the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Dr Targett is a leader in her field and regularly attends Cosmetic conferences to keep up to date with modern aesthetic techniques. At advanced Cosmetic Medicine you can always be reassured that you will be welcomed and treated personally by Dr Rahma Targett.
The results last 4-6 months. The longevity of the result is variable and each individual may obtain a different result. A plan for regular follow-up treatments to maintain the initial result can be created for you. Our treatment provides a long-lasting but not permanent results leaving you the option of refining your treatment in tune with changing taste and fashion.
Your smile will go back to where it was. You can stop and start having treatment again whenever you prefer.
Only you and the doctor can decide if the treatment is the one for you. During your medical consultation, our expert doctor will asses your medical history and make sure you are suitable for the treatment. Be sure to inform the doctor about any pre-excisting medical conditions such as:
- A disease that effects your muscles and nerves such as Myastenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome
- Allergies to any Anti Wrinkle Injection products
- Any medication that you are currently taking
- If you have had facial surgery or plan to have surgery in the future
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Also if you are breast feeding.
