On this page
- What causes a gummy smile?
- Which gummy smiles can gum treatment help?
- How does gum contouring work?
- Can the gum under a bridge be improved?
- What is recovery like after gum contouring?
- What are the risks of cosmetic gum surgery?
- What affects the cost of gummy smile treatment?
- Care at Perio One
- When to call us
- What to expect
- Common questions
At a glance
- A gummy smile can come from extra gum tissue, short-looking teeth, an active upper lip or upper jaw growth.
- Gum contouring, sometimes called a gum lift, reshapes healthy gum tissue to expose more tooth.
- Lip- or jaw-related causes need a different specialist, not gum reshaping alone.
- A dent in the gum under a bridge can sometimes be softened with a soft-tissue graft.
- Cosmetic reshaping is only done on healthy, disease-free gums.
What causes a gummy smile?
Several different things can make a smile look gummy, and only some of them involve the gum tissue itself. Extra gum sitting low on the teeth is one common cause, and it is the one gum treatment addresses directly.
Teeth that look short, whether from wear, gum position or how they formed, can also show more gum by comparison. A very active upper lip that rises higher when you smile is another cause. So is upper jaw growth, which positions the teeth and gum further down the face; both involve the lip or the jaw rather than the gum itself.
| Cause | What you may notice | What may help |
|---|---|---|
| Extra gum tissue | Gum sits low, covering more of the tooth than expected | Gum contouring to reshape and expose more tooth |
| Gum and bone sitting too low on the teeth | Teeth look short even though they are a normal length | Contouring gum alone, or crown lengthening if bone is also too low |
| A very active upper lip | More gum shows only on a full smile, less at rest | A different specialist, since gum reshaping won't change lip movement |
| Upper jaw growth | The whole upper jaw, teeth and gum sit lower on the face | Evaluation by an orthodontist or oral surgeon alongside any gum care |
Which gummy smiles can gum treatment help?
Gum treatment helps most when extra gum tissue, or gum and bone sitting too low, is the main cause. An exam can usually tell how much of the extra gum showing is tissue that can be reshaped.
When an active upper lip or upper jaw growth is the main driver, gum contouring alone won't change the smile much. Your dentist can explain what a different specialist may offer instead.
How does gum contouring work?
Gum contouring, sometimes called a gum lift, reshapes healthy gum tissue to expose more of the tooth beneath it. The gum is numbed, then trimmed and shaped to a more even line along the teeth.
If gum and bone both sit too low, reshaping bone as well is crown lengthening, a related but separate procedure with its own healing timeline. An uneven gumline caused by recession is treated differently, sometimes with the Pinhole® technique, rather than by contouring extra tissue away.
Can the gum under a bridge be improved?
A dip or dent in the gum under a bridge, where a tooth used to be, can sometimes be softened with a soft-tissue gum graft that adds volume rather than removing it. This is different from contouring, which removes tissue rather than adding it.
When the dent comes from bone loss rather than thin gum alone, ridge augmentation may be considered instead, since it rebuilds the bone underneath rather than just the surface.
What is recovery like after gum contouring?
Expect mild soreness and some swelling for a few days after gum contouring, with most people back to their usual routine quickly. A soft diet for the first day or two eases the discomfort.
The gum settles into its new shape over the following weeks. Good daily cleaning keeps the healing area comfortable and supports a smooth result.
What are the risks of cosmetic gum surgery?
Cosmetic reshaping is only done on healthy, disease-free gums, so any active gum disease is treated first. Temporary sensitivity and swelling are the most common effects.
If bone sits too close beneath the new gumline, gum tissue can grow back over time, gradually narrowing the result. When that happens, crown lengthening is the option that addresses the bone directly rather than the gum alone.
What affects the cost of gummy smile treatment?
Cost depends on how many teeth need reshaping and whether bone is involved as well as gum. Your exam determines the actual scope of treatment.
- How many teeth are treated
- Whether gum alone or gum and bone both need reshaping
- Whether a soft-tissue graft is added under a bridge
- Coordination with your dentist if crowns or veneers are also planned
- What your dental plan covers, which varies by plan
Care at Perio One
At Perio One, cosmetic gum care starts with an examination to confirm your gums are healthy and to identify what is really causing the smile you see. Dr. Randal Comeaux, DDS, Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, explains the findings in plain language, including when a cause is not gum-related.
We coordinate with your general dentist, especially when crowns or veneers are part of the plan, and referrals are welcome.
Once your gums have healed, regular checkups with your general dentist help keep them healthy long-term.
When to call us
- Gums that have grown over teeth quickly, or bleed easily
- An uneven gumline after orthodontic treatment
- A dent under a bridge that traps food
- After contouring or a graft: a fever, swelling that spreads or worsens, or bleeding that keeps going despite firm pressure. Call us right away; if it's severe or breathing or swallowing is affected, go to an emergency room or call 911.
Our periodontists, Dr. Randal Comeaux and Dr. Lauren Langlois, can talk through what you’re noticing.
Call to scheduleWhat to expect
- Examination
We check your gum health and identify what is contributing to the smile you're concerned about.
- Your options, explained
Dr. Comeaux explains whether gum contouring, a graft or a different specialist fits your case.
- Numbing
The area is numbed with local anesthetic before any reshaping begins.
- Contouring or grafting
Gum tissue is reshaped, or a soft-tissue graft is placed, depending on your plan.
- Early healing
Soreness and swelling settle over a few days as the gum adjusts to its new shape.
- Follow-up
Your gum is checked to confirm it is healing evenly.
Common questions
Can a gummy smile be fixed?
Often, yes, when extra gum tissue or a low gumline is the main cause. When an active upper lip or upper jaw growth is the main driver, gum contouring alone has less effect, and a different specialist may be involved.
Is gum contouring painful?
Numbing the area first keeps the reshaping itself from hurting. Mild soreness and swelling for a few days afterward are common and usually manageable with rest and gentle care.
Does gum contouring grow back?
It can, if bone sits close beneath the new gumline, since gum tissue tends to settle back toward the bone over time. When that happens, crown lengthening addresses the bone itself, which contouring alone does not.
Is gum contouring the same as crown lengthening?
No. Gum contouring reshapes gum tissue alone for a more even look. Crown lengthening reshapes gum and, when needed, bone to prepare a tooth for a crown or to correct a smile where bone sits too low.
How long does gum contouring take to heal?
Initial soreness and swelling usually settle within a few days, and the gum continues to settle into its final shape over the following weeks.
Sources
- American Academy of Periodontology: Cosmetic procedures
- Cleveland Clinic: Gum contouring
- Cleveland Clinic: Gingivectomy
This page is general education, not a diagnosis. Your periodontist will recommend care after an examination.