Gummy Smile & Lip Flip Treatment in London

Gummy smile treatment in London at PRP London Clinic offers a quick, non-surgical solution for excessive gingival display — performed by GMC-registered doctors at 33 Cavendish Square. If more than 3–4 millimetres of gum tissue is visible when you smile, a carefully placed prescription-only injection can relax the muscles responsible for elevating the upper lip too high, reducing gum exposure and creating a more balanced, confident smile.

This page also covers the closely related lip flip — a technique that uses the same class of prescription-only medicine to gently roll the upper lip outward, creating the appearance of a subtly fuller lip without dermal filler. A lip flip in London is ideal for patients who want a modest enhancement to their upper lip contour, wish to reduce a thin or disappearing upper lip when smiling, or want to complement a gummy smile correction for a harmonious result. Both treatments are frequently combined in a single appointment.

This treatment sits within our comprehensive anti-wrinkle treatment programme. For related upper face concerns, visit our upper face or brow lift and bunny lines pages. Patients seeking volume rather than a subtle flip may also wish to explore our dermal filler options.

Every gummy smile treatment London consultation and procedure at PRP London Clinic is performed by a GMC-registered doctor — never a nurse or beautician. Our medical team includes Dr Bruno Amendola (GMC: 4346629), who holds an international postgraduate qualification in aesthetic medicine and Save Face accreditation with particular expertise in perioral aesthetics and gummy smile correction; Dr Mohamed Nafei (GMC: 7520509), whose PgDip in Aesthetic Medicine and PgDip in Endocrinology inform a holistic understanding of facial anatomy and precise lip flip delivery; Dr Reem Nouri (GMC: 6149512), whose MBBS, DRCOG, and advanced aesthetic training enable natural-looking gummy smile botox results with meticulous attention to smile symmetry; and Dr Mohammad Akbar (GMC: 5206673), our Founder and Medical Director, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh whose surgical background ensures the highest clinical standards across every gummy smile specialist London procedure we perform.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile — clinically termed excessive gingival display — occurs when more than 3–4 millimetres of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth during a full smile. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine (Rojo-Sanchis et al., 2023) documented pre-treatment gingival exposure ranging from 3.5 to 7.2 millimetres across included studies. The condition has several potential causes, and your doctor will diagnose which applies to you during consultation:

• Muscular hyperactivity — the most common cause amenable to injection-based treatment. Overactive elevator muscles of the upper lip, particularly the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN), levator labii superioris (LLS), and zygomaticus minor, pull the upper lip excessively high during smiling. This is the mechanism targeted by gummy smile botox.
• Vertical maxillary excess — the upper jaw bone is longer than average, exposing more gum tissue. This skeletal cause may require orthodontic or surgical assessment rather than injection alone.
• Altered passive eruption — the gum tissue has not receded to its normal adult position, making teeth appear short and gums prominent. Gingivoplasty may be the more appropriate treatment.
• Short upper lip — a naturally short distance between the nose and the lip line, which may benefit from a combined approach.

Gingival Display Measurement

During your consultation, your doctor measures the amount of gum tissue visible during a full smile. The Rojo-Sanchis (2023) meta-analysis found a mean gingival exposure reduction of 2.51 mm at two weeks and 2.24 mm at three months following treatment, with reductions of up to 6 mm documented at 12 weeks. Your doctor uses these benchmarks to set realistic expectations based on your individual gingival display.

The Lip Flip Mechanism

A lip flip uses the same class of prescription-only medicine placed along the upper lip border (the vermilion border) or into the orbicularis oris muscle. Rather than adding volume like a dermal filler, the lip flip relaxes the orbicularis oris just enough to allow the upper lip to gently roll outward, revealing more of the vermilion (the pink lip tissue). This creates the appearance of a subtly fuller upper lip without any filler material. A botox lip flip is particularly effective for patients whose upper lip curls inward or disappears when they smile, and it pairs naturally with gummy smile correction to address both gum exposure and lip contour in one appointment.

Gummy Smile Injection Technique

For gummy smile correction London, your doctor targets the elevator muscles responsible for pulling the upper lip too high during smiling. The primary injection site is the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN), often supplemented with the levator labii superioris and, in some cases, the zygomaticus minor. The Rojo-Sanchis (2023) meta-analysis documented doses ranging from 1.25 to 7.5 units per side across included studies, with your doctor selecting the appropriate dose based on your muscle strength and the degree of gingival display. Injections are placed bilaterally at the junction point lateral to the nasal ala, using an ultra-fine needle.

Lip Flip Injection Technique

For a lip flip London treatment, 2–4 units are typically placed into the orbicularis oris muscle at specific points along the upper lip — typically at the Cupid's bow centre and two lateral points. The injection is superficial and precise, relaxing only the fibres that curl the lip inward during smiling while preserving full lip function.

What to Expect

The combined gummy smile and lip flip procedure takes approximately 10–15 minutes. Most patients describe a brief, mild pinch at each injection point. No anaesthesia is required, though topical numbing cream is available if preferred. You can return to normal activities immediately. Initial results typically appear within 3–5 days for the gummy smile correction and 5–7 days for the lip flip, with the full effect visible by two weeks. A two-week review appointment is included to assess symmetry and make any refinements.

If you have received gummy smile treatment or a lip flip at another clinic and are unhappy with the outcome, PRP London Clinic offers a correction consultation. Common concerns include asymmetric smile correction following treatment, over-treatment causing difficulty with lip movements or an uneven smile, under-treatment with insufficient reduction in gum display, or a lip flip that feels too strong and affects drinking or pronunciation.

Our doctors assess each case individually to determine whether correction is possible. In some instances, targeted supplementary treatment can address asymmetry or under-treatment. In other cases — particularly with over-treatment — the most appropriate course is to allow the existing treatment to wear off before retreating with a revised protocol. Your doctor will provide an honest assessment of what can realistically be achieved. A consultation fee applies regardless of whether correction is possible.

Gummy smile cost London at PRP London Clinic starts from £250. The final price depends on whether you are having a gummy smile correction alone, a lip flip alone, or a combination of both, as well as the number of units required for your individual anatomy and degree of gingival display. A detailed, transparent quote is provided during your consultation with no hidden fees.

Many patients combine gummy smile treatment with a lip flip in the same appointment for a harmonious result addressing both gum exposure and upper lip contour. Your doctor will discuss all options and associated costs during your assessment. Consultation fees are deducted from the treatment cost if you proceed on the same day.

The safety of botulinum toxin for gummy smile correction is supported by clinical evidence. The Rojo-Sanchis (2023) systematic review and meta-analysis specifically examined botulinum toxin for gummy smile treatment and found significant reductions in gingival display with a favourable safety profile. A separate meta-analysis of 32 randomised controlled trials involving 9,669 patients (Gostimir, 2022) confirmed the overall acceptable safety profile of cosmetic botulinum toxin, with injection site reactions occurring at similar rates to placebo.

Side effects specific to gummy smile and lip flip treatment are generally mild and temporary:

• Mild bruising or swelling at injection sites (resolves within days)
• Temporary asymmetry of the smile during the adjustment period
• Brief difficulty with certain lip movements, such as drinking through a straw or whistling (particularly with the lip flip)
• Localised tenderness around the upper lip and nasal area

These effects typically resolve within the first week as you adjust to the treatment. At PRP London Clinic, all gummy smile treatments are administered by GMC-registered doctors with advanced aesthetic training, which significantly reduces technique-dependent risks. A thorough pre-treatment assessment identifies contraindications, and a two-week review ensures optimal outcomes.

First 24–48 Hours

• Remain upright for at least 4 hours after treatment
• Avoid touching, rubbing, or massaging the upper lip and nasolabial area
• Do not apply makeup to injection sites for 12 hours
• Avoid drinking through straws for 24 hours — this is particularly important following a lip flip, as the pursing action can displace the product before it has settled
• Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, and hot baths
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Eat soft foods if you experience any temporary sensitivity around the upper lip

First Two Weeks

• Results typically begin to develop within 3–5 days for gummy smile correction and 5–7 days for the lip flip, with the full effect visible by two weeks
• Avoid dental procedures for 2 weeks
• Do not have facials or facial massages for 2 weeks
• Attend your scheduled two-week review appointment
• Contact the clinic if you experience significant asymmetry, difficulty eating, or any unusual symptoms

Your doctor will provide written aftercare instructions specific to your treatment at the time of your appointment.

Your suitability for gummy smile treatment and a lip flip is determined during your medical consultation. The following conditions are contraindications:

• Neuromuscular disorders — myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding — treatment is not administered during pregnancy or lactation
• Allergy or hypersensitivity — known allergy to botulinum toxin or any formulation excipients
• Active skin infection — any infection at the proposed injection site must be resolved first
• Bleeding disorders — including patients on anticoagulant therapy (discussed on a case-by-case basis)
• Active perioral herpes — cold sores around the lip area must be fully healed before treatment
• Certain medications — aminoglycoside antibiotics, muscle relaxants, or other medications that may interact

If you are unsure whether any of these apply to you, your consulting doctor will review your full medical history and advise accordingly. All decisions are made with patient safety as the primary consideration.

This page is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or a recommendation for any specific treatment. Certain treatments described involve prescription-only medicines that can only be prescribed by a qualified medical professional following a face-to-face assessment. Individual results vary, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. All medical treatments carry risks, which will be discussed in full during your consultation. This content was last reviewed on 2 April 2026 by the medical team at PRP London Clinic.

PRP London Clinic is located at 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW, in the heart of Marylebone — one of London's most established medical districts. Our clinic is a short walk from Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, and Bakerloo lines), Bond Street (Central and Jubilee lines), and Regent's Park (Bakerloo line). If you are searching for a gummy smile specialist London clinic with GMC-registered doctors, convenient central access, and a consultation-led approach, PRP London Clinic provides expert gummy smile correction and lip flip London treatment tailored to your individual anatomy and smile goals.

Take the first step toward a more balanced, confident smile. Book a consultation with one of our GMC-registered doctors at PRP London Clinic to receive a personalised assessment for gummy smile treatment and lip flip in London. Whether you are considering gummy smile botox London for the first time, exploring a botox lip flip to enhance your upper lip contour, or seeking a second opinion on a previous treatment, our medical team is here to help you make an informed decision.