Laser reshapes, Botox relaxes lips.
A smile is the source of joy for lots of people. However, people who have what is medically known as a “gummy smile” may feel awkward and shy in a smile. You’ve probably had a similar experience: you laugh at a joke, but you’re also worrying about how much of your gums are showing.
Here at Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul, through our work with patients, we have also come across those who cover their mouths with their hands after hiding their teeth for years. The fact is that medical professionals do not view a “gummy” appearance as a defect. It is merely an issue of relative sizes.
The question is, how do we achieve the ideal balance of teeth, lips, and gums? In most cases, the decision is between two radically different options: the “Sculptor’s” way (Laser) or the “Relaxer’s” way (Botox).
Understanding the “Curtain and Stage” Analogy
In order to understand the options you have, imagine your smile as a stage play. Your teeth play the main characters, your gums represent the stage, and your upper lip is the heavy velvet curtain.
A “gummy” smile can be explained by one of two principal reasons. The stage (gums) being too large and overshadows the actors (teeth), or the curtain (lip) is lifted too high when the performance starts. Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız, a leading figure in dental surgery in Turkey, states that determining which of these two factors is the cause of a gummy smile is the most significant decision that must be taken when starting treatment.
Option 1: Laser Gum Reshaping (The Master Sculptor)
We will use laser technology if your gums cover more than their fair share of your teeth. The result is a permanent change in your biology.
By selectively cutting out the excess tissue with a specialized soft-tissue laser, Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her team gently reshape the gums. The laser, with microscopic precision, effectively unveils the tooth structure that was always there but just covered up by the gums.
This is the nature of our clinical work: we realize that patients are usually so scared of “gum surgery” that it can stop them getting the treatment they need. However, concurring with current dental surgeons worldwide, we can say that lasers have completely revolutionized dental procedures. In cutting, the laser also sterilizes the wound, meaning that there will be very minimal bleeding, no need for sutures, and a much faster healing time. The outcome is that the “stage” perfectly fits the “actors.”
Option 2: Botox for Gummy Smiles (The Relaxing Shield)
But if your gums are the right size, and your lip is the one that is “over-rotating” and therefore exposing too much gum area, then Botox is the solution.
Your muscles that lift the upper lip work when you smile. One may find that the muscles are hyperactive in some people. So, by introducing a small and very precise amount of Botox, we are able to “relax the curtain.” The lip still moves naturally but does not move so much as to make the gums become visible.
Let’s face it, Botox is an amazing, non-surgical “test drive”. It hardly takes up to 10 minutes, the patient can resume his usual activities immediately, and the effect starts to show in around 3 days. But then, the question arises: are you fine with a temporary solution? The effect of Botox gradually wears off and it is generally necessary to have a touch-up every 4 to 6 months.
Comparing the Two: Which Fits Your Lifestyle?
Choosing between these treatments depends on your anatomy and your long-term goals. At Lema Dental Clinic, we provide a full diagnostic workup to see which will yield the most harmonious result.
| Feature | Laser Gum Reshaping | Botox Injections |
| Primary Goal | Remove excess gum tissue (Gingivectomy). | Lower the position of the upper lip. |
| Permanence | Permanent. The tissue does not grow back. | Temporary. Lasts 3–6 months. |
| Procedure Time | 30–60 minutes. | 10–15 minutes. |
| Recovery | 48–72 hours of mild tenderness. | Immediate (Zero downtime). |
| Ideal Candidate | Patients with “short” looking teeth or uneven gums. | Patients with hyperactive upper lip muscles. |
| Invasiveness | Minimally invasive (Laser). | Non-invasive (Injections). |
Why the Choice Matters at Lema Dental Clinic
Many clinics might push you toward one treatment because it is easier for them. But let’s look closer at the clinical reality. Sometimes, a patient needs a combination of both.
Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız and Dentist Polen Akkılıç work together to analyze your “lip dynamics.” If we use a laser when the problem is actually a hyperactive lip, your teeth might end up looking unnaturally long. Conversely, using Botox when you have excess gum tissue won’t solve the underlying aesthetic imbalance.
This is why coming to Turkey for your dental aesthetics is so popular—you aren’t just getting a procedure; you are getting an architectural analysis of your face.
FAQ: From the Doctor’s Desk
Not at all. We use a local anesthetic to ensure the area is completely numb. Most of our patients tell us they only feel a slight sensation of warmth from the laser. It is far less ‘scary’ than traditional scalpel-based gum surgery.
This is a common fear. The secret lies in the dosage and placement. We aren’t trying to paralyze your lip; we are just taking the ‘edge’ off the muscle’s pull. You will still be able to express yourself fully—you’ll just see less gum when you do.
Because the laser promotes such fast healing, you generally only need to be in Istanbul for a few days. We usually perform the procedure on day one and do a quick follow-up 48 hours later before you fly home.
The reality is that many of our ‘Hollywood Smile’ patients actually require gum reshaping first to ensure the veneers look proportional. We can certainly work around existing dental work, but we often recommend laser reshaping as the foundation for new veneers.
Your lip will simply go back to its original position. There is no permanent damage or change to the muscle. It’s a great way to ‘try on’ a new look without a permanent commitment.
- Cairo, F., Graziani, F., & Pini Prato, G. P. (2012). Periodontal plastic surgery to improve aesthetics in patients with altered passive eruption/gummy smile: a case series. International Journal of Dentistry.
- Dhingra, K., & Rajesh, N. J. (2012). Aesthetic Management of Gummy Smile with Diode Laser: A Case Report. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research.
- Mazzuco, R., & Hexsel, D. (2010). Gummy smile and botulinum toxin: A new approach based on the gingival exposure area. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
- Narayan, S., et al. (2011). Gingivectomy using a diode laser: A case report. Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology.
- Polo, M. (2005). Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of excessive gingival display. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
