GUMMY SMILE: BOTULINUM TOXIN AS A TREATMENT OPTION

Nowadays, aesthetics has become one of the goals to be achieved during dental treatment, the smile in turn is among one of the most important elements of the face, for it to be considered harmonious there must be a correlation between lips, shape and color of the dental elements and gums. When the smile is characterized by an exaggerated exposure of the gums, it is considered unsightly and is called "Gummy Smile". Among its etiologies, we find hyperactivity of the upper lip, which occurs when the muscles responsible for smiling exert a force greater than normal; Botulinum toxin is considered a treatment option in these cases. Therefore, through a literature review, this study aims to discuss the gummy smile and the use of botulinum toxin as a therapeutic treatment option when it has the etiology of the hyperactivity of the upper lip. Google Scholar, Scielo, Pubmed, physical and virtual libraries were used as databases. In view of the research, it was possible to conclude that botulinum toxin is effective for the treatment of gummy smile, as it is a procedure that has ease and safety in application, fast action and low risk, but the correct diagnosis is essential to outline the treatment plan with satisfactory results, as it is also concluded that this treatment option will be effective only when the etiology is the hyperactivity of the upper lip.