4. How Long Does Botox Last for
The results can last up to four months, but this may vary depending on the individual. The results of Botox for gummy smile can vary from person to person. Some people may need to have a few treatments to achieve the desired results, while others may only need one treatment.
Mostly, the effects of Botox for reducing a gummy smile through muscle weakening typically last 2.5-3 months on average before touch-up injections may be needed. Often, by the 3-4 month mark, the muscles have regained enough strength that the gummy smile appearance is beginning to return.
The best approach is to take a look at the muscles that are contracting in the lips. If we see that the muscles are overactive, we can use a botulinum toxin type of product, such as Botox, to naturally soften or “freeze” the muscles in place. Changing the way your teeth look isn't necessary whatsoever.
Gummy smiles due to lip dynamics have been successfully treated with the use of Botox, which reduces the upward movement of the lip [12,13]. Changing lip position and movement with Botox is considered a suitable choice due to the low morbidity and ease of use [12].
The estimated price range is between $200 to $500. This injection paralyzes the muscle and stops the lip from rising so high. This is a temporary correction because the injection only lasts three to four months.
Intense exercise or anything that speeds up the body's metabolism. HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and hot yoga are good examples of this. Having a faster metabolism can help break down your bad Botox as the body's natural process is sped up.
The surgical Lip Repositioning procedure has been shown to produce long-term patient satisfaction with permanent results. It offers a permanent solution to the Gummy Smile. With many patients seek this surgery after having a series of Botox injection treatments that only last for a few months.
The injection of botulinum toxin, despite being a simple and safe procedure, may be associated with some adverse events such as pain at the injection site, bruising, infection, edema, dysphonia, dysphagia, ptosis, or lengthening of the upper lip and asymmetry of the smile.
If your gums are more visible because your teeth protrude or your jaws are misaligned, your dentist or orthodontist might be able to correct this with braces or aligners. These treatments can take around 18 months or longer to gradually move your teeth and gums into their new positions.
The correction of a gummy smile focuses on reducing the exposure of gum tissue for a more balanced smile. In contrast, a lip flip aims to enhance the fullness of the lips, particularly the upper lip, for a more pronounced pout.
The number of units of Botox for gummy smiles depend on the severity of the condition and the number of areas that need treatment. Normally, 1-3 units can be used for each side of your upper lip, and 1-2 units on each side of your lower lip. A total of 5-10 units per session is not uncommon.
Studies demonstrate that women tend to exhibit more gingiva in their smiles compared to men, and the prevalence of a gummy smile tends to decrease with age. Age-related factors, such as the loss of muscle tone, contribute to the reduced visibility of upper teeth and increased visibility of lower teeth.
The “easiest” way to treat crooked smile after Botox is to do nothing. Because the effects of Botox are temporary, crooked smile usually is as well. Your smile should go back to normal within four months of treatment. Four months is a long time to walk around with an unnatural-looking smile, though.
Take a Zinc Supplement
In a study from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, researchers found that people who received Botox and then took a 50-milligram zinc supplement saw a significantly longer duration in their results.
So, What Causes Botox to Wear off? Your metabolism – Your body chemistry will process Botox on its own timeframe, typically the effect lasts 3-4 months. The size and depth of your wrinkles – People with fine lines may enjoy their Botox longer than those with more prolonged wrinkles and bulkier muscle tissue.
Can you massage botox away? Technically no. As above, there is no actual evidence that there is a way to make Botox go away faster. There could be an argument that the massage might stimulate blood flow and increased metabolism to the area speeding up it's regeneration.
Gummy smiles are usually treated with a small amount of BOTOX®. Only 4 to 8 units are typically needed to treat a gummy smile with Botox and the price for the treatment can range from $140-$180.
The truth is that you can safely sleep after receiving Botox injections without worrying about it affecting your results. Botox doesn't “move around” in your body once it's injected. The Botulinum Toxin remains localized to the targeted muscles and doesn't spread beyond the injection site.
There is not a lot you can do to reverse a Botox result you are not happy with as it takes the body about 3 months to develop the nerve end receptor sites required to regain muscle stimulation.
While most insurance plans consider gummy smile treatment a cosmetic procedure and may not cover the full cost, there are exceptions. If your gummy smile is caused by a medical condition or affects your oral function, your insurance might provide partial coverage.
In terms of depth, we utilize a 30G needle (13 mm long) injected at about mid-depth (ie, about 6-7 mm). Of note, the patients in the authors' study1 all described discomfort during the injection procedure, which led us to theorize that the depth of injection was likely to be more superficial than the one we use.