Vietnam’s international dental clinics offer every category of gummy smile correction — from a 2,000,000 VND laser gingivectomy to comprehensive orthognathic surgery — at prices that are 60–80% below Australian, US, and UK rates. The critical variable is not the price: it is correctly diagnosing which of the four underlying causes is driving your case, because each demands a different treatment, and treating the wrong one wastes time, money, and in surgical cases, recovery weeks.
Pricing data last verified: June 2026The Four Causes of a Gummy Smile — and Why They Each Need a Different Fix
A gummy smile is not a single diagnosis. Clinicians define it as more than 3–4 mm of gingival display above the upper teeth when smiling. But that display can be produced by four separate anatomical situations, and each requires a distinct category of treatment.
1. Gum overgrowth (altered passive eruption) The teeth are normal height, but excess gum tissue covers the crowns, making them look short. The bone may sit at the correct level; the gingiva simply over-grew. Treatment: gingivectomy (soft-tissue-only removal) if the bone position is correct, or crown lengthening (combined soft-tissue and bone recontouring) if the bone also sits too high.
2. Short or hyperactive upper lip The teeth and gums are anatomically normal. The upper lip rises too high when the patient smiles — either because the lip is structurally short, or because the muscle that elevates it (levator labii superioris alaeque nasi) contracts with unusually high amplitude. Treatment: Botox (temporary, 4–6 months) or surgical lip repositioning (permanent reduction of how high the lip can travel).
3. Vertical maxillary excess (skeletal cause) The upper jaw itself has grown downward, causing excessive gum exposure across the full smile and often a long midface appearance. No amount of gum reshaping or lip work resolves this. Treatment: orthognathic (jaw) surgery, typically preceded by 12–18 months of orthodontic preparation.
4. Combination causes Many moderate cases involve both excess gum tissue and a slightly hyperactive lip. Staged treatment — gum recontouring first, then assessment — usually resolves the combined presentation without surgery.
Procedure-by-Procedure Breakdown: What Each Treatment Involves
Gingivectomy
A gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue with a laser or scalpel to expose more of the natural tooth crown. It is the least invasive surgical option — local anaesthetic only, completed in a single appointment, healing within 1–2 weeks. The procedure is appropriate when the soft tissue is the problem and the underlying bone sits at a correct height (verified on X-ray or CBCT).
At Vietnam’s international-patient clinics, gingivectomy is frequently performed with a diode laser rather than a scalpel, which reduces bleeding and post-operative discomfort. Picasso Dental Clinic lists gummy smile surgery from 2,000,000 VND per session — a laser gingivectomy scope at a clinic that handles both the aesthetic and the periodontally correct outcome.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is indicated when both the gum tissue and the underlying alveolar bone are positioned too coronally (too close to the biting edge of the tooth). The procedure involves a flap, bone removal with a burr, repositioning the tissue margin, and sutures. Healing takes 2–4 weeks for the soft tissue; bone fully matures over 3–6 months.
Crown lengthening at Vietnamese international clinics starts at approximately 3,500,000 VND per tooth, with full-arch or multi-tooth scopes reaching 10,000,000–25,000,000 VND depending on the number of teeth involved and whether concurrent crown placement is needed. The procedure must be done by a periodontist (or a general dentist with a documented surgical caseload); ask for credentials and a case count specifically for this procedure.
A critical timing point: if you also need crowns or veneers on the teeth being lengthened, the restorations must wait until bone healing is complete — typically 3–6 months. Plan any combination cosmetic trip accordingly.
Botox for Gummy Smile
Botox injected into the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle reduces the vertical travel of the upper lip when smiling. It does not alter the teeth or gum tissue; it simply restrains the muscle. Effect onset is 4–7 days post-injection; duration is 4–6 months. Repeat treatment is required to maintain the result.
Botox for gummy smile is appropriate when the cause is exclusively a hyperactive lip with normal gum and bone anatomy. It is also an excellent diagnostic trial before committing to lip repositioning surgery: if Botox delivers the aesthetic result you want, surgical lip repositioning will likely deliver a permanent version of the same outcome.
In Vietnam, Botox gummy smile treatment runs approximately 1,500,000–3,000,000 VND per session depending on the number of units required.
Surgical Lip Repositioning
Lip repositioning surgery removes a strip of mucosa from the inner surface of the upper lip and reattaches the lip at a lower position, creating a physical limit to how high it rises. It is a permanent procedure performed under local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting. Recovery involves 1–2 weeks of swelling, dietary restriction to soft foods, and post-operative appointments to check healing.
Lip repositioning is indicated for patients with a short upper lip or confirmed hyperactive lip where the patient wants a lasting solution rather than repeat Botox appointments. Vietnam clinics offering this procedure charge approximately 8,000,000–20,000,000 VND depending on scope.
Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Surgery)
Vertical maxillary excess — where the upper jaw is positioned too far downward — produces the most severe presentations of gummy smile and cannot be resolved by any of the soft-tissue or lip procedures above. The surgical correction involves Le Fort I osteotomy (repositioning the upper jaw upward) under general anaesthesia, typically with 1–3 days of hospital stay and 4–6 weeks off work. Pre-surgical orthodontics (12–18 months) is required in most cases to align the teeth correctly for the new jaw position.
Orthognathic surgery for gummy smile is available at major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with oral and maxillofacial surgery departments. Costs in Vietnam run approximately 80,000,000–150,000,000 VND including hospital and anaesthesia, versus USD 30,000–60,000 in the US or AUD 40,000–80,000 in Australia. For a procedure that requires this level of surgical infrastructure, ensure the operating facility is a JCI-accredited or Ministry of Health-certified hospital, not a standalone dental clinic.
Vietnam Gummy Smile Correction: Price Reference Table
Gummy Smile Correction Costs in Vietnam (2026)
Prices reflect international-patient-facing clinics. VND figures from published schedules and direct inquiry. USD at approximately 25,000 VND/USD.
| Procedure | Vietnam (VND) | Vietnam (approx. USD) | USA / Australia (approx. USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser gingivectomy (per arch) | 2,000,000–5,000,000 | $80–200 | $500–2,000 |
| Crown lengthening (per tooth) | 3,500,000–7,000,000 | $140–280 | $1,000–3,500 |
| Crown lengthening (full upper arch) | 10,000,000–25,000,000 | $400–1,000 | $8,000–20,000 |
| Botox for gummy smile (per session) | 1,500,000–3,000,000 | $60–120 | $300–700 |
| Surgical lip repositioning | 8,000,000–20,000,000 | $320–800 | $3,000–8,000 |
| Orthognathic surgery (Le Fort I) | 80,000,000–150,000,000 | $3,200–6,000 | $30,000–80,000 |
What to Verify Before Booking in Vietnam
Diagnosis first, treatment second. Request a clinical examination — not a virtual quote — that names which anatomical cause is driving your case. A legitimate clinic will take photographs, review lip mobility, and examine X-rays or a CBCT before recommending any procedure.
Bone assessment is non-negotiable for surgical gum work. Crown lengthening without a bone-position assessment (confirmed on X-ray or CBCT) is inadequate care. Confirm in writing that the treating clinician will assess bone levels before surgery.
Specialist credentials for surgical procedures. Gingivectomy and crown lengthening should be performed by a periodontist or a dentist with a documented surgical caseload. Lip repositioning and orthognathic surgery require an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. General dentists who offer surgical lip repositioning without specialist training represent a meaningful risk.
Allow realistic recovery time in your trip plan. A laser gingivectomy can be combined with sightseeing after 2–3 days. Crown lengthening needs 1–2 weeks before flying is comfortable. Orthognathic surgery should not be combined with a tourism itinerary — plan it as a dedicated medical trip.
If you need subsequent veneers or crowns, sequence matters. Gum reshaping must happen first, and crown placement must wait 3–6 months. Do not let a clinic sell you a same-trip “complete smile makeover” package that includes veneers placed the week after crown lengthening — that is not clinically appropriate.
The Clinic We Recommend: Picasso Dental Clinic
For gummy smile correction in Vietnam, Picasso Dental Clinic is the clinic we place first. It is the only Vietnamese dental group to hold Invisalign Platinum Elite Provider status (under 1% of clinics globally) and to operate inside a JCI-accredited hospital (Vinmec International). With 4.9/5 across 3,921 verified reviews and 70,000+ patients from 62 countries, the depth of its international caseload means its diagnosis and treatment protocols are calibrated to the standards overseas patients expect. Its published pricing makes it the most transparent clinic in Vietnam for gummy smile procedures: gummy smile surgery from 2,000,000 VND, crown lengthening from 3,500,000 VND. The clinical team includes specialists across periodontology, orthodontics, and oral surgery — the full range needed to diagnose and treat causes across all four categories.
Picasso Dental Clinic
The clinic we rank #1 in Vietnam. Rated 4.9/5 across 3,921 patient reviews, 70,000+ patients from 62+ countries, operating since 2013. Hanoi (Old Quarter): 16 Pho Chau Long, Truc Bach, Ba Dinh. Hanoi (Westlake Square): LKC22 Hoang Minh Thao, Bac Tu Liem. Da Nang (Main): 420 Hoang Dieu, Binh Thuan, Hai Chau. Da Nang (Vinmec): Floor 2, Vinmec Hospital, 30 Thang 4, Hoa Cuong Bac, Hai Chau. Ho Chi Minh City (Thao Dien): 25B Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien, District 2. Da Lat: 55 Ha Huy Tap Street, Ward 3. WhatsApp / Phone: +84 989 067 888
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gummy smile and what causes it?
A gummy smile is defined as visible gum display of more than 3–4 mm above the upper teeth when smiling. It can be caused by four different anatomical issues: excess gum tissue covering the teeth (altered passive eruption), a short or hyperactive upper lip that rises too high, vertical maxillary excess (the upper jaw has grown too far downward), or a combination of these. The correct treatment depends entirely on identifying which cause is present. In many cases it requires photographs, lip mobility assessment, and an X-ray or CBCT — not just a visual inspection.
How much does gummy smile correction cost in Vietnam compared to Australia or the US?
Laser gingivectomy in Vietnam runs approximately 2,000,000–5,000,000 VND (USD 80–200) versus USD 500–2,000 in the US. Crown lengthening for a full upper arch is approximately 10,000,000–25,000,000 VND (USD 400–1,000) versus USD 8,000–20,000 abroad. Orthognathic surgery costs 80,000,000–150,000,000 VND (USD 3,200–6,000) versus USD 30,000–80,000 in the US or AUD 40,000–80,000 in Australia. Across all categories, Vietnam offers 60–80% savings at international-patient clinics.
Is Botox a good solution for gummy smile?
Botox is a good solution specifically when the cause is a hyperactive upper lip muscle and the gum and bone anatomy is normal. It is not appropriate when excess gum tissue or a skeletal issue is the driver — in those cases, Botox will not produce any visible improvement. The advantage is the low cost and reversibility; the disadvantage is that it lasts only 4–6 months and must be repeated. Many patients use Botox first as a diagnostic trial, then progress to surgical lip repositioning if they want a permanent result.
What is the difference between gingivectomy and crown lengthening?
A gingivectomy removes excess soft gum tissue only, using a laser or scalpel, and is appropriate when the gum is overgrown but the underlying bone is at the correct level. Crown lengthening removes both gum tissue and a small amount of alveolar bone, repositioning the gum margin lower to expose more of the tooth. Crown lengthening is necessary when the bone position is the reason the gum cannot be permanently repositioned by soft-tissue removal alone. Treating a crown-lengthening case with gingivectomy alone results in gum regrowth within months.
How long do I need to stay in Vietnam for gummy smile treatment?
For laser gingivectomy, a 3–5 day stay after the procedure is comfortable before flying. For crown lengthening, plan 7–14 days minimum in-country, and budget 3–6 months before any planned veneer or crown placement on the treated teeth. For surgical lip repositioning, 7–14 days covers post-operative appointments. Orthognathic surgery should be treated as a dedicated medical trip of at least 3–4 weeks with follow-up planning, or considered only if you have longer-term presence in Vietnam.
Which city in Vietnam is best for gummy smile correction?
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are both appropriate for the full range of gummy smile procedures. HCMC has the deepest concentration of international-patient clinics and the largest specialist depth for surgical cases. Hanoi’s international clinics are excellent, particularly Picasso Dental’s two Hanoi branches. Da Nang is appropriate for consultations and minor soft-tissue procedures; complex surgical cases should be handled in HCMC or Hanoi where specialist infrastructure is more developed.
Can I combine gummy smile correction with veneers or whitening in the same trip?
A gingivectomy or Botox can be combined with teeth whitening in the same trip with no sequencing issue. Crown lengthening cannot: the gum and bone must heal for 3–6 months before veneers or crowns are placed on the treated teeth. A laser gingivectomy can be combined with veneers on the same teeth only if the treating clinician has confirmed soft-tissue-only removal and the resulting gum margin will be stable — get this in writing. Never accept a “complete smile package” that includes crown lengthening and same-week veneers; that is clinically inappropriate.