Is gum contouring right for you?
It’s a good option when:
- your front teeth look short because gum covers part of them
- the gum line is uneven, higher on one tooth than the next
- gums have grown over the teeth during braces and stayed that way
- you’re planning veneers or crowns and want the gum line even first
When the gummy smile comes from the lip or the jaw rather than the gum, contouring alone won’t change it much. We’ll tell you the cause and the options that address it, which may include our orthodontist.
What happens
- Assessment. Our periodontist and cosmetic dentist look at your smile, measure the gum over each tooth and check an X-ray to see where the bone sits.
- Design. We mark the new gum line and show you the planned change, often with photographs or a trial on the teeth.
- Contouring. Under local anaesthetic, the periodontist removes and reshapes the extra gum. If the bone also sits too high, a small amount is reshaped as well (crown lengthening), with a few fine stitches.
- Review. We check healing after a week and again once the gum line has settled.
Aftercare
- Eat soft, cool food for the first two or three days and avoid very spicy or hot food.
- Brush the treated area gently with a soft brush, as shown.
- Use the mouthwash you’re given and take painkillers if needed.
- Avoid smoking while the gums heal.
Risks
Tenderness and slight swelling for a few days are normal. If too much gum or bone is removed, roots can become exposed and sensitive, which is why careful measurement and a specialist are important. Occasionally gum grows back a little and needs a small touch-up. Your periodontist explains your personal risks before you decide.
What affects the fee
How many teeth are reshaped, whether bone reshaping (crown lengthening) is needed, and whether it’s combined with veneers, crowns or straightening. You get the fee after the assessment.
Questions patients ask us
What causes a gummy smile?
The commonest cause is gum that covers more of the tooth than usual, making teeth look short. Other causes are an upper lip that lifts high when you smile, a short upper lip, or an upper jaw that has grown longer than average. Gum contouring treats the first; the others need different approaches.
Is gum contouring permanent?
Usually, yes. When the gum and, where needed, the bone beneath are reshaped correctly, the new gum line stays. If the cause was swollen gums from gum disease or braces, keeping the gums healthy keeps the result.
Does gum contouring hurt?
The area is numbed, so the procedure itself isn't painful. The gums feel tender for a few days afterwards, and ordinary painkillers are enough for most people.
How long does gum contouring take to heal?
The gums are comfortable within about a week, and the new gum line settles over four to six weeks. If you're having veneers or crowns afterwards, we wait for the gums to settle so the edges match the final gum line.
Can a gummy smile be fixed without surgery?
Sometimes. If the lip lifts too high, muscle-relaxing injections can soften the lift for a few months. If teeth are tilted or overerupted, orthodontic treatment can help. For gum covering the teeth, contouring is the lasting fix.
What is the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?
Gum contouring removes and reshapes gum only. Crown lengthening also reshapes a little of the bone underneath, which is needed when the bone sits too close to the edge of the tooth. Your periodontist checks this on the X-ray and with a gentle measurement.
Sources
NHS: dental treatments ↗ADA MouthHealthy: gum disease ↗Last updated 14 October 2026. This page explains options in general terms; your own plan comes from an examination.