Sometimes the cosmetic concern is not the tooth itself. An uneven gumline or excess soft tissue can change how long, balanced, or symmetrical the teeth appear.
Cosmetic gum contouring reshapes selected gum tissue to improve gingival symmetry or tooth proportions. Treatment may involve soft-tissue crown lengthening or gingival sculpting with a dental laser or electrosurgical instrument.
This is cosmetic care, not periodontal disease treatment. Before changing the gumline, we first confirm that the tissue is stable and that reshaping it is actually the right way to improve the proportions you see.
What Is Cosmetic Gum Contouring?
Cosmetic gum contouring reshapes selected soft tissue to improve tooth proportions or gingival symmetry. It is a cosmetic service and is kept separate from therapeutic periodontal surgery.
- Uneven gingival symmetry in selected cosmetic cases
- Soft-tissue crown lengthening to improve tooth proportions
- Selected cosmetic gingival reshaping
- Gumline refinement as part of an appropriate cosmetic plan
We determine whether cosmetic gum recontouring fits the concern or whether the gumline reflects a periodontal issue that needs a different kind of care.
Is the Tooth Short, or Is the Gumline Covering It?
The purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether reshaping the gum tissue will meaningfully improve the intended tooth proportions.
When gum recontouring is part of a broader cosmetic plan, it is coordinated with the other planned treatments.
Shape the Gumline Before Designing Veneers or Crowns
Aesthetic gum recontouring may be provided as a stand-alone cosmetic service or incorporated into a coordinated smile makeover.
When multiple cosmetic procedures are planned, the clinical team determines the appropriate treatment sequence.
How Cosmetic Gum Recontouring Is Performed
A soft-tissue dental laser or electrosurgical instrument is used to reshape the gum tissue. The technique depends on how much tissue needs to change and where it sits in the smile.
The laser and electrosurgical techniques are used to shape soft tissue while helping limit trauma and bleeding.
How Long Does the Gumline Take to Settle?
Typical recovery is approximately three weeks, although exact healing varies with the extent of treatment and the individual patient.
You will receive procedure-specific instructions for the healing period.
Cosmetic Gum Contouring vs. Periodontal Gum Surgery
Aesthetic gum recontouring is performed to improve soft-tissue proportions around otherwise appropriate teeth. Therapeutic gum surgery is used to manage diseased or excessive tissue associated with periodontal conditions.
These treatments have different goals and are intentionally addressed on separate pages. If active gum disease is present, health takes priority over cosmetic reshaping.
Questions to Answer Before Reshaping the Gumline
How do I know if my teeth are actually too short?
An examination determines whether soft-tissue crown lengthening or gingival reshaping is appropriate for the cosmetic concern.
Can gum recontouring be done before veneers?
Gum recontouring can be incorporated into a broader cosmetic plan, including cases that also involve porcelain veneers, when clinically appropriate.
Will My Gums Be Numb During the Procedure?
Your dentist will explain the treatment approach, comfort options, and procedure-specific instructions before care begins.
Sometimes the Smile Change Is in the Gumline, Not the Tooth
Teeth that look too short or uneven can reflect tooth shape, gum position, or a combination of both. Sorting that out first keeps gum recontouring focused on cases where the tissue itself is part of the imbalance.