Thursday 18 October 2012

Fixing a Gummy Smile

By Marlena N. Shaw


Some people rudely call it a horse smile. The extra gum that is exposed when you smile is also often referred to as a gummy smile. How much gum shows when we smile is determined by the size and shape of our lips, gums and teeth as well as the muscles that are involved in raising the upper lip when smiling.

The fact that the upper lip elevates too far above the teeth when one smiles, is one of the more common reasons for a gummy smile. The effect exposes too much of the gum-line. It can be caused by having a thin upper lip or a lip that curls inward when smiling. But normally, it is caused by overactivity of the actual muscle that lifts the upper lip when one smiles.

A negative result of a gummy smile can be a reluctance to smile. Some people are so self conscious about their gummy smile that they go to extreme measures to avoid smiling at all. For these people, a preoccupation with this condition can inhibit their interpersonal and professional relationships because they are hesitant to smile broadly. Fortunately, Botox can offer a very easy, virtually painless and inexpensive solution for a gummy smile.

Botox is injected into the upper lip for a gummy smile. The whole process takes less than a minute and is virtually painless.

Who Should Not be Receiving a Botox Treatment?

Botox should not be given to pregnant women, nursing mothers, or patients with neuromuscular diseases like myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, AML (Lou Gehrig's), or motor neuropathy should not use Botox. Patients who are allergic to human albumin should not use Botox. It is not recommended in pregnancy or nursing because it has not been tested.

Botox Preparation: What to Expect

The day of the procedure is very straightforward, and the best way to prepare is solely to know what to expect. After you've given the necessary information to the administrator, you'll likely be taken to the procedure room. This will be very similar in look to any other medical office but will have what can be best described as a dental chair.

Although not required, your doctor may numb the area of the injection prior to administering your Botox injections. The procedure will likely take around ten minutes and you can return to daily activities shortly afterwards.

The Price Tag

It's not surprising that the affordability of Botox is one of the factors that has driven it's popularity. Depending on the nature of the treatment, a BOTOX session will usually cost between $300 and $400 per syringe. Botox patients can anticipate this price point every four to six months, if they are looking to maintain the results of their treatment.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment