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Who gum contouring is for

Gum contouring, also called gum reshaping or a gingivectomy, removes or reshapes excess gum tissue to create a more even, balanced gum line. It is used to treat a gummy smile, where teeth look short because too much gum shows, and to correct an uneven gum line that makes some teeth appear longer or shorter than others. The result can make teeth look proportionate without touching the teeth themselves.

It is often part of a wider smile makeover, performed before veneers or crowns so the new restorations sit against a harmonious gum line. Patients travel for it as one element of a combined cosmetic package, since on its own it is a relatively minor procedure.

Gum contouring suits people whose teeth are healthy but whose gum line lets them down aesthetically. It is purely elective, and a good clinician first checks that the gummy appearance is not better addressed another way, since not every gummy smile is caused by excess gum.

How it is done and related procedures

Most modern gum contouring is done with a dental laser, which trims and sculpts the gum precisely while sealing tissue as it works, reducing bleeding and speeding healing; some clinicians use a scalpel or electrosurgery instead. It is performed under local anaesthetic in a single short appointment, and minor cases can be completed quickly.

Importantly, a gummy smile is not always solved by trimming gum alone. If the excess is because teeth are partly covered, a procedure called crown lengthening removes a little gum and sometimes bone to expose more tooth. If the cause is a hyperactive lip or the jaw, gum contouring will not fix it, and other treatments are needed. A careful diagnosis decides the right approach.

Because it is often combined with veneers, crowns or a Hollywood Smile, the gum work and the restorative plan are usually coordinated so the gum heals into the right shape before the final teeth are fitted.

What it costs and choosing a clinic

Gum contouring is one of the more affordable cosmetic procedures and is often priced per tooth or per area, or bundled into a smile-makeover package. In popular destinations it typically costs a modest two-to-three-figure sum in euros for a limited area, often a fraction of high-cost-market prices, with larger or surgical crown-lengthening cases costing more.

Because aesthetics and gum health are both at stake, look for a clinic with cosmetic and periodontal expertise, ideally laser equipment, and recognised accreditation such as ISO certification. Ask to see before-and-after cases and confirm the clinician has diagnosed why your smile is gummy, so the right procedure is chosen.

If gum contouring is part of a larger makeover, confirm how it is sequenced with any veneers or crowns and that healing time is built into the trip, since the final restorations should be placed once the gum has settled.

Healing and aftercare

Recovery from simple gum contouring is usually quick and mild. The gums may be tender, slightly swollen and sensitive for a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how much tissue was reshaped, and you stick to soft, cool foods at first while avoiding spicy or hard items that irritate the area. Laser treatment generally heals faster and with less discomfort than scalpel surgery.

Good gentle hygiene is important during healing to keep the area clean without disturbing it, and the clinic may advise a special mouth rinse. Any minor bleeding settles quickly, and discomfort is easily managed with simple pain relief.

The gum line takes a little time to mature into its final shape, which is why restorative work that depends on it is timed accordingly. More extensive crown lengthening that involves bone heals over a longer period before final restorations are placed.

Risks and limitations

Gum contouring is a low-risk procedure, but it has limits and a few risks. Removing too much gum can expose tooth roots, cause sensitivity or look unnatural, and the gum reshaping is not always fully reversible. Other minor risks include bleeding, infection and, occasionally, some regrowth or relapse of the tissue. Treating a gummy smile that is actually caused by the lip or jaw with gum surgery simply will not work.

These risks are minimised by an accurate diagnosis of why the smile is gummy, a conservative clinician who removes only what is needed, and proper healing time. Combining it sensibly with restorative work, rather than over-trimming, protects long-term gum health.

If you notice excessive sensitivity, an uneven result or gum problems after returning home, contact the treating clinic; minor revisions are sometimes possible, and a local dentist can manage sensitivity or any infection in the meantime.

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