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Gum contouring, also called gum reshaping, is a precise procedure that reshapes the gumline to improve the balance of your smile. It’s most often used to correct a “gummy smile”, where more gum than tooth shows, or a gumline that sits higher on some teeth than others.
At our Harley Street practice, gum contouring for patients across London is carried out by a Specialist Periodontist, a dentist with additional years of specialist training in the gums and the bone that supports the teeth.
A gummy smile. Excess gum covering part of the teeth can make them look short. Removing a small amount of tissue reveals more of the natural tooth.
An uneven gumline. Gums that sit at different heights can make matching teeth look different sizes. Contouring evens the line.
Before veneers or crowns. Levelling the gumline first means new restorations look proportionate and natural.
After orthodontic treatment. Gums sometimes overgrow around teeth during braces or aligners and can be refined afterwards.
A gummy smile has more than one cause. Sometimes the gum simply covers more of the tooth than usual. Sometimes the bone sits close to the tooth edge, the upper lip lifts higher than average, or the jaw itself is involved. Removing gum alone only gives a lasting result when excess gum is the actual cause.
A periodontist assesses the gum, the underlying bone and the smile line before recommending treatment. If bone reshaping (crown lengthening) is needed, or if contouring isn’t the right answer, you’ll be told at the consultation.
Healthy gums also matter. Any inflammation or gum disease is treated first, so the final gumline is stable.
We don’t treat lasers as a shortcut. The right technique depends on your gum and bone, so it’s chosen after a full assessment, with the aim of a predictable, stable result.
1. Consultation. We examine your gums, bone levels and smile, take photographs and explain what’s achievable. You’ll receive a written treatment plan and cost estimate.
2. Planning your new gumline. The planned outline is mapped out and discussed with you before any treatment begins.
3. Treatment. Under local anaesthetic, a small amount of gum tissue is removed and the gumline is sculpted. Most cases are completed in one appointment.
4. Healing. Gums are usually tender for a few days and settle over the following weeks. We give you clear aftercare advice and review your healing.
Specialist care. Treatment is planned and carried out by a GDC-registered Specialist Periodontist.
Gum health first. As a specialist periodontal practice, we make sure your gums are healthy before reshaping them.
Joined-up cosmetic care. If you’re also considering veneers, crowns or whitening, your gumline can be planned alongside them with Dr Bobby Bandlish.
Dr Gita Auplish, Specialist Periodontist, BDS (Hons), MSc (Dist), MFDS RCS (Eng), GDC 71011
If your gums have receded rather than overgrown, see gum graft and receding gum treatment. For bleeding or inflamed gums, see specialist gum disease treatment. To complete your smile after contouring, see veneers in London or teeth whitening on Harley Street.
The cost depends on how many teeth are involved and whether any bone reshaping is needed. After your consultation you’ll receive a written treatment plan and cost estimate.
Treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure. Your gums may be tender for a few days afterwards, which usually settles with simple pain relief.
Most patients return to normal activities the next day. The gums usually settle within one to two weeks, and the final gumline matures over the following weeks.
When excess gum is the cause, the results are usually long-lasting. Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups help keep your gumline stable.
It depends on the cause. If excess gum is covering your teeth, contouring can make a clear difference. If the cause is the bone, lip movement or jaw position, we’ll explain the options at your consultation.
We don’t see lasers as a shortcut. The technique is chosen after a full assessment of your gums and bone, based on what will give the most predictable and stable result for you.
Gum contouring is carried out by Dr Gita Auplish, a Specialist Periodontist (GDC 71011), at our practice at 20 Harley Street, London W1G 9PH.
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The practice is incredibly client focused from the moment you pick up the phone to the aftercare provided. Gita was fantastic and clear in explaining then resolving the issues I had. The results at th… Read More
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