A broken upper lip tie has the potential to cause a wide smile that shows the gums, so it can be quickly treated with repair surgery. The upper lip tie is a cord-like structure that is attached to the upper lip at the medial part of the inner lip. The length and location of the upper lip tie affects the alignment of the teeth in the mouth and the range of motion of the lips. Therefore, when an upper lip tie is broken, it can cause the patient’s upper lip to move upward too much when he or she smiles, resulting in exposed gums. When a broken upper lip ligament results in exposed gums when smiling, early surgical repair can be performed to quickly close the ligament and can help restore normal oral tissue structure. Mild upper lip torn ligaments or tears that are small in size may also heal on their own in some patients, and therefore require regular hospital visits for imaging and cosmetic examinations. When a torn upper lip ligament causes the gums to show when you laugh, you should seek medical attention.