10/15/2026
Does your upper lip disappear or show more gum when you smile? 👄
Let’s talk about three treatments that may help.
Botox in the LLSAN — reducing upper lip lift
The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi helps lift your upper lip when you smile. When this muscle is overactive, the lip can rise higher and expose more gum. Botox or Dysport can soften that movement, reducing how high the lip lifts.
Lip flip — keeping more lip visible
A lip flip relaxes part of the orbicularis oris, the muscle around your mouth. This allows the upper lip to gently roll outward rather than curl inward when smiling. It can help reduce gum show in suitable candidates without adding volume.
Lip filler — adding volume and shape
Hyaluronic acid filler adds fullness to the upper lip. For someone with a thin upper lip, this may provide a little more gum coverage when smiling, but filler alone won’t reliably correct excessive lip lift.
Sometimes a combination is helpful, depending on your anatomy and desired outcome.
The first step is understanding what causes your gum show because lip movement, lip volume, teeth and gums all depend on treatment choice!
Your treatment plan should be tailored to your smile🤍