Gum Contouring

Gum contouring, sometimes called gum reshaping or a gum lift, adjusts the soft tissue that frames your teeth. In our Woodhaven office, we start by looking at the relationship between your lips, gums, and teeth when you talk and smile — not just at rest. That's where a "gummy smile" shows itself, and that's where small corrections pay off most. We map the new gum line against the length and width of the teeth so the result looks intentional rather than obviously altered.

The procedure itself is done with local anesthetic so the area is fully numb. For patients who feel uneasy about dental work of any kind, we also offer nitrous oxide sedation and IV sedation, and our comfort menu — blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix and refreshments — is available during any visit. Treatment time depends on how many teeth are involved; reshaping a single tooth to match its neighbor is quicker than evening out an entire smile line.

People come to us about their gum line for very different reasons. A common one is purely cosmetic: teeth that look short because the gums sit too low, often noticed in photographs. Another is asymmetry, where one or two teeth have a higher or lower gum margin that draws the eye. We also see patients preparing for porcelain veneers, composite bonding, or crowns, where reshaping the tissue first gives the new restorations a cleaner, more balanced frame — something our on-site dental lab helps us coordinate closely.

There are also functional situations. When a tooth is broken or decayed near the gum line, there may not be enough tooth structure visible to hold a crown. In those cases crown lengthening, a closely related procedure, exposes more of the tooth so a restoration can be placed properly. And in cases of recession rather than excess tissue, gum grafting may be the better answer — adding tissue back instead of removing it. Part of our job at your visit is telling you honestly which of these fits your situation.

Aftercare and Results

Expect some tenderness and sensitivity in the treated area for several days. We'll give you specific instructions, which typically include soft foods at first, gentle brushing around the site, and avoiding anything that irritates healing tissue. Most of the visible swelling settles quickly, while the gum line continues to mature and settle into its final shape over the following weeks.

Because the shape is set the day of treatment, we take time beforehand to agree on exactly what we're aiming for. If restorative work is planned afterward, we'll schedule it once the tissue has healed enough to take accurate impressions. We're also available for emergency dental appointments if anything concerns you during recovery.