When smiling reveals more than 3mm of gum tissue (gummy smile), even straight teeth and refined features can’t prevent the smile from looking “too open.” This results from hyperactive upper lip elevator muscles — related to maxillary height and muscle force, not simply dental alignment. Traditional orthodontic correction takes years. Coretox botulinum toxin gummy smile correction is the fastest minimally-invasive solution — by injecting specific lip elevator muscles, a single session visibly reduces gum exposure for a more natural, graceful smile.
Causes of a Gummy Smile
- Muscular type:Overly strong levator labii superioris and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscles pull the upper lip excessively high during smiling
- Skeletal type:Vertical maxillary excess — naturally elevated upper lip position
- Gingival type:Short clinical crowns, excess gingival tissue
Coretox is most effective for muscular-type gummy smiles. Skeletal and gingival types require specialist dental evaluation.
How Coretox Corrects Gummy Smiles
Coretox injected bilaterally into the upper lip elevator muscle group selectively reduces the upward pull force of these muscles. When smiling, the upper lip is no longer excessively elevated, naturally reducing gum exposure. The dosage is extremely precise (minimal units per side), and the doctor’s anatomical knowledge and technique determine how natural the result appears.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
- Gum exposure exceeding 3mm during a full smile
- Asymmetric smile (one side shows more gum)
- Desire for a softer, more contained smile aesthetic
- Not considering dental surgery or orthodontics
The Rappoel Coretox Gummy Smile Procedure
- Consultation:Doctor observes dynamic smiling (natural and full smile), assesses lip elevator activity level and gummy smile type
- Site Mapping:Bilateral “Yonsei point” marking (lateral to nasal ala, upper nasolabial fold)
- Injection:Ultra-low dose (2–4 units per side), procedure under 5 minutes
- Results:Gradual onset at 3–7 days; stable at 2 weeks
Results Duration and Maintenance
- Duration per session:Approximately 3–5 months
- Recommended frequency:Maintenance injection every 4–6 months
- Cumulative effect:After 2–3 regular sessions, the muscle adapts and results last progressively longer
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: Will Coretox affect eating or speaking?
- No. Coretox only targets the smiling lip-elevation motion without affecting lip closure, eating, or speaking. The dosage is precisely controlled within a very narrow range for targeted effect.
- Q2: Will my smile look natural or frozen?
- Dosage precision and injection accuracy are key. Rappoel doctors aim to reduce gum exposure while preserving smile expressiveness and naturalness — not to fully paralyze the muscle.
- Q3: Is there an age restriction for gummy smile correction?
- Generally recommended for ages 18+. Younger patients, due to higher muscle activity, often see more dramatic results.
- Q4: How soon do I see results?
- Gum exposure reduction becomes perceptible at 3–7 days, with stable results at 2 weeks. No immediate visible change post-injection.
- Q5: Can I combine gummy smile correction with lip filler?
- Yes. Lip filler adds fullness to lip shape while Coretox reduces gum exposure — the combination significantly enhances overall smile aesthetics. They can be done in the same session.
- Q6: How do I book gummy smile correction at Rappoel?
- 3-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 10 (77 Seocho-daero, 24F, 5F). Book via WeChat (rappoelkr) or Line (rappoelkr).
Clinic Information
- 📍 Address: 5F, 77 Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
- 🚇 Access: Gangnam Station Exit 10, 3-minute walk (Seoul Metro Line 2)
- 🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 | Sat 10:00–17:00
- 💬 Booking: WeChat rappoelkr | Line rappoelkr
Contact Rappoel Dermatology Clinic
📍 77, Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🕐 Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–17:00
💬 WeChat Main: rappoelkr | WeChat Backup: rappoelkr2 | LINE: rappoelkr
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