Cosmetic Dentistry
Gum Contouring
A balanced, symmetrical gumline that lets your smile — not your gums — take centre stage.
Your gumline frames your teeth the way a painting frames a canvas. When the gums are too high, too low, or uneven, even perfectly healthy teeth can look short, small, or disproportionate. Gum contouring precisely reshapes the gumline to create better harmony between your teeth and soft tissue — and the results are permanent.
01
Who Benefits from Gum Contouring
Patients with a "gummy smile" — where the gums cover too much of the tooth surface — are the most common candidates. We also perform gum contouring for uneven gumlines (where some teeth appear longer than others), to lengthen teeth that appear too short, and as preparation before placing veneers or crowns for a more balanced final result.
02
The Procedure
Gum contouring is performed in-office under local anaesthesia. We use a precision soft-tissue laser or surgical instruments to remove or reshape excess gum tissue, sculpting the gumline to the planned ideal shape. Most procedures take 30–60 minutes. The laser seals blood vessels as it works, minimising bleeding and speeding healing.
03
Recovery
Most patients experience mild tenderness and swelling for a few days after the procedure. Soft foods, over-the-counter pain relief, and gentle rinsing with warm salt water are typically all that's needed. The final aesthetic result is visible once healing is complete — usually 2–4 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gum contouring permanent?
Yes — once the gum tissue is removed, it doesn't grow back. The results are permanent, though the gums can shift slightly over many years due to aging.
Is it painful?
The procedure is done under local anaesthesia so you won't feel pain during treatment. Mild soreness for 2–5 days afterward is normal and manageable with over-the-counter medication.
Is it covered by insurance?
When performed purely for cosmetic reasons, gum contouring is generally not covered. If there's a functional reason (e.g., gum disease treatment), partial coverage may apply.