Korean term: 거미스마일 (잇몸미소)

What are gummy smiles

StatPearls defines excessive gingival display as overexposure of the upper gum when smiling. It says 1 to 2 mm of gum is normal, and authors set the cut-off at more than 2, 3 or 4 mm. About 10% of people aged 20 to 30 have it, it is more common in women, and it becomes less common with age.

Common causes

Overactive upper lip. The lip lifts too far when you smile; a 2024 review defines this as more than 8 mm of movement.
Gums that cover the teeth. In altered passive eruption the gum does not move back as the teeth emerge, so the teeth look short (StatPearls).
Upper jaw too long vertically. StatPearls calls this vertical maxillary excess.
Short upper lip or low front teeth. StatPearls lists a lip under 20 mm and over-erupted upper incisors.
Gum overgrowth. StatPearls links it to some medicines.

Treatments clinics in Korea list for gummy smiles

The card below shows what Botox is, its downtime per the sources, and the lowest regular price a clinic in this directory publishes for Botox in general, not necessarily a gummy-smile item. Gum contouring, lip repositioning, orthodontics and jaw surgery are done by dental or surgical specialists; this directory has no page for them.

Botox

Botulinum toxin type A, injected into a muscle to relax it for a few months.

Downtime (per the sources): Effect starts in 1 to 2 days and builds over about a week; labels list side effects such as eyelid drooping

From ₩10,000 (≈ US$8)JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon · Wrinkle Botox, Korean toxin (Newlux), 1 session · VAT excluded

20 clinics in this directory list a regular price

All prices and clinics

What the sources say about results and limits

Who it suits. A 2023 review says botulinum toxin reduces upper-lip lift and suits a gummy smile caused by lip movement, not short crowns or jaw causes. Small studies report display falling by up to about 5 mm; one author limits it to display of up to 4 mm.
Label. Gummy smile is not among the cosmetic indications listed on our Botox page.
Other options. Cleveland Clinic says gum contouring usually heals within a week and lasts in most cases, though gum can regrow. A 2024 review cites an average reduction of about 3.4 mm with lip repositioning, with display rising again over time. StatPearls says jaw surgery carries high morbidity.
Evidence. A 2025 overview says the field lacks consensus on success criteria, and that long-term outcomes of botulinum toxin and fillers are marginal or not yet established.

Published prices

The table shows, for each clinic that lists a regular price, its lowest regular price for each treatment above; items, amounts and VAT basis differ between clinics.

Clinic	Botox
Art of Shine Skin Clinic	₩40,000 (≈ US$30) VAT excluded · Jaw Botox 50 units, Korean toxin
Beauty Park Skin Clinic Beomeo	₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox · 1 area · Korean toxin
Bellis Skin Clinic	₩55,000 (≈ US$42) VAT included · Wrinkle Botox 1 area (Coretox)
DAMI Skin Clinic	₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (forehead, frown lines or crow's feet), Botulax — per area
DayBeau Skin Clinic Myeongdong Premium	₩30,000 (≈ US$23) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox, 1 area (Korean toxin)
JRYN Skin Clinic Nampo	₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · Glabella (frown-line) Botox, Korean high-purity toxin
JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon	₩10,000 (≈ US$8) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox, Korean toxin (Newlux), 1 session
Kleam Skin Clinic Myeongdong	₩40,000 (≈ US$30) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (Korean/Excl. Forehead) 1 area
Louave Skin Clinic	₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT included · Botox (starting price, fee notice)
Marble Plastic Surgery	₩200,000 (≈ US$151) VAT excluded · Botox, eye area (fee notice starting price)
MIN Skin Clinic	₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Glabella or Nostril Botox — Domestic toxin
Newline Plastic Surgery	₩24,000 (≈ US$18) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (forehead, frown lines or crow's feet), Liztox, 12U 12 units
NewRizz Skin Clinic	₩10,000 (≈ US$8) VAT excluded · Korean standard toxin "뉴럭스": wrinkle Botox, one area 1 area
Oaro Skin Clinic Cheongdam	₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT not stated · Botulinum toxin (fee notice range)
Obliv Seoul Origin Skin Clinic	₩88,000 (≈ US$66) VAT not stated · Botox · Korean toxin
The Walts Clinic	₩35,000 (≈ US$26) VAT excluded · Neulux Botox, wrinkles, 1 area
Val:U Skin Clinic Myeongdong	₩25,000 (≈ US$19) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox · 1 area · Newlux (Korean)
YAAN Skin Clinic	₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT not stated · Wrinkle Botox — Xeomin
Youngjong Central Skin Clinic	₩87,500 (≈ US$66) VAT excluded · Liztox Botox · forehead, crow's feet, frown lines or nose · per area 1 area
YUNO Plastic Surgery	₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT not stated · Botox (starting price)

Lowest regular price each clinic lists, with its own item and VAT basis.

Questions to ask the clinic

What causes my gummy smile (lip, gums, teeth or jaw), and who examined me?
How many millimeters of gum show, and how much reduction is realistic?
Which toxin product, how many units and which muscles? Is a touch-up included?
What if my smile looks uneven or my lip feels heavy?
If Botox does not suit me, which other options exist, and who performs them?
Does the quote include VAT? Is it a regular or an event price?

FAQ

Does Botox fix a gummy smile?

It can reduce the display when lip movement is the cause. A 2023 review reports reductions of up to about 5 mm in small studies. It calls complications uncommon and mostly temporary, but poor technique can cause an uneven smile and too much toxin can make the lip droop. A dentist decides after examining you.

How long does Botox for a gummy smile last?

The 2023 review commonly cites four to six months, and some studies report recurrence from about 12 weeks to month four. It advises against repeating the injection before the earlier effect has worn off. Ask the clinic when it would repeat.

What other treatments are there?

Sources describe gum contouring, lip repositioning, orthodontic treatment and, for severe jaw causes, jaw surgery. StatPearls says treatment depends on the cause and some people have more than one. A periodontist, orthodontist or oral surgeon can advise which applies to you.

Is a gummy smile a medical problem?

StatPearls says 1 to 2 mm of gum display is normal and that dentists consider 4 mm or more unattractive, so the sources discuss treatment mainly as an aesthetic matter. Some causes, such as gum overgrowth, need a dentist's assessment. Cleveland Clinic says not to have cosmetic gum procedures with decay or gum disease.

Gummy smile: what it is and the treatments clinics in Korea list for it