Dr. Álvaro Chaux specialist in aesthetic medicine
Aesthetic doctor
Medical license no. 61405
Leading gummy smile doctor
The doctor sees patients in BarcelonaView medical profile
Correct your gummy smile without changing who you are
Does it bother you that a lot of gum shows when you smile?
A gummy smile occurs because the upper lip rises too far when you smile, and it is corrected by relaxing those muscles with botulinum toxin in a session lasting a few minutes. At your consultation we assess whether your case responds to this treatment or has a dental origin.
Price: 350 €
Excellent · 851 Google reviews
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Treatment duration:
10-15 minutes
With NESAI® Derm ultrasound
Included in Barcelona (subject to the doctor's assessment)
In-clinic treatment
No surgery
Table of contents
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile is excessive display of the upper gum when smiling. It is corrected with a low-dose medical treatment applied to the muscles that lift the upper lip, which reduces the excessive lip elevation and rebalances the smile naturally.
How much does gummy smile treatment cost
Session €350
The final price depends on the area or areas to be treated, the product or cocktail used and the number of sessions the doctor recommends after the consultation. The first aesthetic medicine consultation costs €50 (deductible from your first treatment). We offer financing for extended treatments and treatment packages.
Patients who have trusted Instituto de Benito look like this:
@fuentes_manel
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Evidence and medical backing
Applying the medical treatment to the upper lip elevator muscles for a gummy smile is an indication validated in the aesthetic medicine literature and included in guidelines of the Spanish Society of Aesthetic Medicine (SEME). It works specifically when the cause is hyperactivity of the upper lip elevator muscle, not when there is excess gum bone or dental pathology, cases that require a different dental or surgical treatment.
What does gummy smile treatment involve?
The treatment is performed entirely in the doctor's office at Instituto de Benito in Barcelona or Madrid, in an outpatient session always designed and supervised by a licensed aesthetic doctor. It consists of the following steps:
Personalized medical assessment
Before treatment, you have a consultation with the aesthetic doctor at Instituto de Benito. The doctor studies your case, listens to your goals, rules out contraindications and designs a personalized plan. The first aesthetic medicine consultation costs €50 (deductible from your first treatment)
Skin ultrasound with NESAI
When the doctor considers it necessary, a NESAI Derm ultrasound is performed in Barcelona to assess the skin before treating: dermis thickness, density, collagen, fibers and sun damage.
Preparing for the treatment
Preparation is simple: the area must be clean and free of creams. The doctor will tell you whether you should avoid any medication (anticoagulants, NSAIDs) in the days beforehand to minimize bruising, and will discuss with you any circumstances relevant to your safety.
Treatment application in the clinic
The doctor disinfects the area, applies topical anesthesia if necessary and performs the microinjections with very fine needles, following the plan designed. The session is carried out entirely in the doctor's office and the patient returns to their routine immediately.
Start seeing yourself the way you want to feel
Results appear within the timeframe expected for the treatment, with a natural, harmonious finish. The doctor gives you home care instructions and schedules your follow-up appointments.
Before and after care for gummy smile treatment
Are you a good candidate for gummy smile treatment?
Gummy smile treatment is indicated for people in good general health who fit any of these profiles. Final suitability is confirmed by the doctor after a personalized consultation.
- 01
Excessive gum display when smiling
More than 3 mm of gum visible when smiling.
- 02
A smile perceived as disproportionate
When the patient feels aesthetically uncomfortable with their smile.
- 03
Muscular cause, not bone-related
When the cause is hyperactivity of the upper lip elevator muscle (not excessive gum length).
- 04
Smile asymmetry
When one side of the lip rises more than the other when smiling.
- 05
Treatment prior to other lip procedures
To optimize the results of lip augmentation or redefinition.
- 06
Facial harmonization maintenance
As part of an overall aesthetic plan.
Before and after photos of gummy smile treatment
Anna, 27, patient from Barcelona
Gummy smile treatment
Marta, 29, patient from Madrid
Gummy smile treatment
Anna, 27, patient from Barcelona
Gummy smile treatment
Marta, 29, patient from Madrid
Gummy smile treatment
Marta, 29, patient from Madrid
Gummy smile treatment
Anna, 27, patient from Barcelona
Gummy smile treatment
Who is not a suitable candidate: contraindications for gummy smile treatment
Patient safety comes before any aesthetic result. Gummy smile treatment should not be performed, or should be postponed, in the following cases:
| Contraindicación | Motivo |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | There are not enough safety studies on the fetus or the breastfed infant. |
| Active infection in the area | Folliculitis, herpes, infected eczema: risk of spreading. |
| Active autoimmune diseases | Lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis: unpredictable tissue response. |
| Immunosuppression | Active cancer treatment, uncontrolled HIV, transplant recipients. |
| Known allergy to the product | Risk of anaphylaxis. |
| Under 18 years of age | Unless very specifically prescribed by a doctor. |
| Bone-related or dental cause of the gummy smile | If the cause is excessive gum length or a dental problem, dental/surgical treatment is required. |
| Neuromuscular disease | The same as with any indication of this medical treatment. |
Risks and possible side effects of gummy smile treatment
Gummy smile treatment is safe when performed by a licensed doctor in an authorized center with approved medical products. Even so, every medical procedure has a profile of possible effects that it is only honest to share with you.
What mild reactions are expected (resolving on their own in 24-72 hours)?
- Papules or small wheals at the injection points, which subside within minutes or hours
- Localized redness (erythema) in the area
- Mild bruising (more common in thin skin or if anticoagulants/NSAIDs are being taken)
- Tenderness or slight local discomfort
- Mild swelling for 24-72 hours
What are the less common side effects?
- Mild asymmetries that can be corrected at the touch-up appointment
- Hypersensitivity or itching that subsides within a few days
- Temporary post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation if the area is exposed to the sun
- In isolated cases: nodules or product irregularities that are corrected with massage or dissolving
What are the rare complications?
- Local or systemic allergic reactions
- Late-onset granulomas due to a reaction to the product
- In vascular areas: accidental vascular occlusion (extremely rare, manageable if detected in time)
- In cases of malpractice or treatment by unqualified practitioners: infections, persistent nodules, lipodystrophy or scarring
Our aesthetic medicine medical team
An aesthetic doctor from the IdB team assesses whether the cause of your gummy smile is muscular and designs the exact treatment plan.
Maria Elechiguerra, aesthetic medicine specialist
Aesthetic medicine specialist in Madrid
View medical profile
Commitment to aesthetic medicine
Gummy smile is a functional indication of the medical treatment that requires great precision: small, poorly placed doses affect lip symmetry.
At Instituto de Benito, patient safety comes before any aesthetic goal. We work with audited clinical protocols, medical products with medical CE marking and batch traceability, single-use instruments, dedicated aesthetic medicine rooms and personalized follow-up between sessions. We never delegate a medical-aesthetic procedure to non-medical staff.
Where to have gummy smile treatment?
Related treatments
Frequently asked questions
What is a gummy smile?
It is excessive display of the upper gum when smiling, which some people perceive as aesthetically disproportionate.
How long do the results last?
Between 4 and 6 months. To maintain it, the session is repeated every 4-6 months.
How much does it cost?
€350. Clinics in Barcelona and Madrid.
Will gummy smile treatment affect how expressive my smile is?
No. When applied with the correct dose and technique, the smile is rebalanced while keeping its natural look.
How long do the results last?
4-6 months, the same as standard anti-wrinkle treatment. To maintain the result, the session is repeated every 4-6 months.
Gummy smile: when to choose medical treatment and when gum surgery?
Medical treatment: if the cause is muscular (the upper lip rises too far). Reversible, lasts 4-6 months. Gum surgery or lip repositioning: if the cause is excess gum or a dental problem. Permanent, requires a dentist or surgeon. The aesthetic doctor determines the cause at your consultation.
How many millimeters of gum is considered a gummy smile?
More than 3 mm of gum visible when smiling is considered an evident gummy smile. Some patients feel aesthetically uncomfortable with less. The threshold is subjective and depends on each patient.
What dose is used for a gummy smile?
Very low, much lower than that used for expression lines. That is why it is a highly technical procedure: dose and injection points require millimeter precision. Too high a dose visibly alters lip symmetry.
Is the result the same as with gummy smile surgery?
No. Gum surgery is permanent and modifies the anatomy. Treatment with botulinum toxin is temporary and reversible, which is ideal for trying out the result before deciding on surgery. Many patients stay with the medical treatment for life without ever moving on to surgery.
Where we do it
Average rating: 4.8 / 5
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Areia Estibalez de Cardona
Googlehace 3 años
Hace unos meses que voy a Instituto de Benito a hacerme tratamientos faciales. He tenido muchos problemas de acné y hasta que no he probado el láser, no he visto la luz de verdad. Realmente es un tratamiento que no es nada económico pero, vale la pena! De momento solo me he hecho 2 sesiones y los cambios son...
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Cristina Betancor
Googlehace 1 año
Encantada con el resultado y con el trato recibido por la doctora Marina y todo su equipo. Muy profesionales, atentos y cercanos en todo momento.
Nora Haxha
Googlehace 1 año
Such a lovely team and experience! From my first visit to the online follow-ups, everyone has been so kind, caring, and professional. Dr. Neagu and Dr. García are truly exceptional I couldn’t feel in better hands. Thank you for everything! 🤍
Teresa Pacho
Googlehace 1 año
Trato profesional y cercano. Excelencia en la cirujana Marina Garcia y todo el equipo. Honestidad en la comunicación.
Dolores Peñalver
Googlehace 1 año
Mi experiencia en el Instituto de Benito ha sido excelente. Agradecer a la Doctora María Gijón y a todo su equipo por su gran profesionalidad y por ayudar a los clientes ante cualquier duda o aclaración
Marisa Canseco
Googlehace 1 año
El doctor Fernández y su enfermera Cristina son profesionales excelentes y dan un estupendo trato. Los recomiendo al 100%. Los resultados se ajustan totalmente a lo que se comprometen.
Sandra TB
Googlehace 1 año
Agradecer enormemente a la Doctora Marina por el trato durante todo el proceso y por el resultado final. Mi experiencia ha sido maravillosa. Agradecer también a Montse por hacer que esto sea posible.
Maragda L
Googlehace 10 meses
Mi experiencia ha sido de lo mejor, me he sentido totalmente cuidada en todo el proceso de mi operación desde Mónica siempre atenta a mis consultas, hasta las chicas de los masajes y cómo no, con el doctor Orestes Fernández con quién me he sentido acompañada en toda la operación y sobre todo recuperación. Sin duda...
Paula Roldan Martinez-checa
Googlehace 11 meses
La Doctora Marina Garcia es totalmente un acierto. Sinceridad desde el primer momento, te escucha y te aconseja conforme tu idea y de manera que quede lo más natural y bonito posible, siendo siempre realistas. El resultado totalmente bonito, más natural y mejor de lo que incluso yo me pensaba. Una recuperación súper...
Susi Rodríguez Suárez
Googlehace 1 año
La Dra. Marina es maravillosa. Un equipo de profesionales de 10.
julia juan fornes
Googlehace 1 año
La Dra Marina Garcia muy profesional y transmite muchísima confianza desde el primer momento.
Soraya Araujo Criollo
Googlehace 1 año
La profesionalidad de todo el equipo hace que te sientas segura a la hora de pasar por quirófano. Además en mi caso llevo yendo con Eva desde hace casi 8 años y no puedo estar más contenta.
Maria Roig
Googlehace 1 año
Encantada con todos los profesionales de IdB, especialmente con la Dra Marina, Julia y Mónica. No he podido estar en mejores manos. Gracias por todo. Muy feliz con el resultado!
Ana Alvarez Soto
Googlehace 1 año
Mi experience en Instituto de Benito ha sido excelente. El Dr Neagu es una persona estupenda, gran profesional y el trato es entrañable. Tiene un equipo muy competente trabajando con él y siempre me han acompañado durante todo el proceso de una manera impecable.
Ari Li
Googlehace 1 año
Una buena experiencia en la clínica de Benito,excelente personal y muy buenos profesionales. Estoy contenta🥰