What should you know about lip filler for gummy smile?

A gummy smile describes a smile in which more upper gum is visible than the person wants. The appearance can involve upper-lip length or movement, tooth and gum proportions, jaw position, or several factors together. Filler may make the upper lip look fuller or alter the visible transition between lip and gum, but it does not change tooth position, gum height, or jaw structure. A consultation should include speaking and smiling, not only a relaxed face. Hyaluronic acid is one material used in lip enhancement; see [Hyaluronic Acid Filler](/materials/hyaluronic-acid-filler/) for background.

Describe whether your concern is gum show, a thin upper lip, lip movement, or facial balance. Share previous filler, dental work, cold sores, allergies, medicines, and any active skin or mouth problem. A clinician should explain what filler can and cannot change, how smiling may look, and whether another specialist's opinion would help. Treatment should be conservative enough to preserve natural speech, eating, and lip movement. Ask about the product, placement, review, and options if the outcome is not what you expected. The [Lip Fillers](/treatments/injectables/lip-filler/) page gives broader treatment context. [Fat Transfer](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/fat-grafting/) is another volume approach with different considerations.

Contact your provider if swelling, tenderness, redness, or asymmetry is getting worse, or if you develop a firm painful area, drainage, or fever. Seek urgent assessment for severe pain, pale or dusky skin, rapidly changing colour, or any visual disturbance after injection. Do not try to press the filler into place or use unapproved products on the lips while waiting for advice. Emergency help is needed for breathing difficulty or rapidly spreading facial swelling.

Ask: What is contributing to my gum show? What change can filler realistically make when I smile? Could it affect speech or lip movement? Would dental or other specialist assessment be useful? Which product and amount are you considering? How will you manage an unexpected result or complication?