Gummy smile correction in Dubai — causes and dental treatment options

Key facts

• Gummy smile: often more than 3–4 mm of gum showing
• Causes: excess gum, short teeth, over-eruption, jaw or lip
• Gum lift or crown lengthening for excess gum
• Veneers help when teeth are short or worn
• Botox for a mobile lip is temporary and one option only

What is a gummy smile and what causes it?

A smile is often described as gummy when more than about 3–4 mm of gum shows above the upper front teeth. The main dental causes are excess gum covering part of the teeth (altered passive eruption), teeth that look short because of wear or chipping, upper front teeth that have over-erupted, and a vertically overgrown upper jaw. Non-dental factors include a short upper lip or a very mobile lip that rises high when smiling. Often more than one factor is present. Identifying which ones apply is the most important step, because a treatment that addresses one cause will not correct another, and combining approaches may be needed.

Gum lift and crown lengthening

When gum tissue covers too much of otherwise normal teeth, a gum lift (gingivectomy or gum contouring) removes and reshapes the excess so more of each tooth is visible. If the underlying bone sits too close to the planned new gum margin, a crown-lengthening procedure also reshapes a small amount of bone so the gum stays stable rather than growing back. Both are carried out under local anaesthetic. Healing of the surface takes around one to two weeks, and the gum line keeps settling for several weeks. These procedures change tooth proportions, making teeth look longer and the smile less gummy, while keeping natural teeth.

Veneers for a gummy smile

Veneers can help a gummy smile when teeth are short, worn, chipped or poorly proportioned. By lengthening the edges or changing the shape, veneers improve the ratio of tooth to gum shown when smiling. On their own they cannot remove excess gum, so veneers for a gummy smile are often combined with a gum lift first, so that the new veneers start from an even, symmetrical gum line. The sequence matters: gum procedures are done first and allowed to heal before final veneer preparation. A digital smile design and trial smile help you see the planned proportions before anything permanent is done.

Orthodontics, jaw factors and Botox

If upper front teeth have over-erupted, orthodontic treatment can intrude them and reduce the gum shown, sometimes with small temporary anchorage devices. Where the gummy smile comes mainly from an overgrown upper jaw, combined orthodontic and jaw-surgery assessment may be discussed; this is a larger decision and is planned with the relevant specialists. When the main cause is a very mobile upper lip, small Botox injections can relax the lip elevator muscles so the lip lifts less; the effect is temporary and usually lasts a few months. Botox does not change teeth or gums, so it is considered one option rather than a universal answer.

How diagnosis and planning work at Manhal

At Manhal Medical Center, Dr. Fariba Alnoory starts with a smile assessment: measuring how much gum shows at rest and when smiling, the length and width of the front teeth, gum health and X-rays to check bone levels. Photographs and video of your natural smile help show whether the lip, gum, teeth or jaw is the main factor. She then explains the realistic options, what each can and cannot achieve, and whether colleagues within the clinic should be involved for orthodontic, aesthetic or Botox treatment. You receive a written plan with the sequence of steps and healing times before deciding. Outcomes depend on the examination and your anatomy.

Gum disease starts as gingivitis — red, bleeding gums — and can progress to periodontitis, where bone support is lost and teeth loosen. Early treatment stops the progression.

Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Treating specialist: Dr. Fariba Alnoory

This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.