A beautiful smile is not just about the teeth themselves — the shape and symmetry of the gum tissue play an equally important role. Excessive gum display, uneven gum lines, or "short-looking" teeth can make a smile appear disproportionate even when the teeth are healthy.
Gum contouring and crown lengthening are cosmetic periodontal procedures designed to improve the balance between the teeth and gums by carefully reshaping excess gum tissue and, when necessary, the underlying bone structure. The goal is to create a more natural, symmetrical, and aesthetically pleasing smile.
At Centerport Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, treatment is carefully planned around facial aesthetics, tooth proportions, and long-term gum stability to achieve results that look natural rather than overdone.
A "gummy smile" refers to excessive gingival display when smiling. In many cases, the teeth themselves are normal in size, but excess gum tissue partially covers the teeth, making them appear short, square, or uneven.
Patients commonly seek treatment because they feel their smile:
The ideal smile requires harmony between the "white" (teeth) and the "pink" (gum tissue). Even beautiful teeth can appear disproportionate if the gum contour is uneven or excessive.
Not all gummy smiles are treated the same way.
Some patients only require soft tissue reshaping to remove excess gum tissue. This is commonly referred to as gum contouring or gingivectomy.
However, in other cases, the underlying bone structure sits too close to the visible portion of the teeth. Simply trimming the gum tissue alone can lead to unstable healing or regrowth of the gums over time. In these situations, crown lengthening is required to properly reposition both the gum tissue and the underlying crestal bone.
This distinction is important because long-term cosmetic stability depends on properly respecting the biologic relationship between the gums and bone.
At Centerport Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry, careful diagnosis is performed to determine whether a patient requires simple gum contouring or a more comprehensive crown lengthening procedure for predictable and stable results.
Proper diagnosis is critical before performing any cosmetic gum reshaping procedure.
A comprehensive evaluation may include:
These diagnostic steps help determine:
This planning process allows treatment to be customized to the individual patient rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Whenever possible, treatment is performed using minimally invasive techniques to improve comfort and reduce healing time.
Depending on the clinical situation, treatment may include:
By carefully reshaping both the gums and supporting bone structure, the teeth can appear longer, more proportional, and better framed within the smile.
Most patients experience only mild post-operative discomfort and recover quickly following treatment.
This patient, a female in her mid-20s, had long been self-conscious about her gummy smile. Her upper front teeth appeared short and uneven due to excessive gum tissue and underlying crestal bone coverage.
Clinical evaluation confirmed that simple gum trimming alone would not provide a stable long-term result because the underlying bone levels also needed correction.
A minimally invasive crown lengthening procedure was performed using laser gum contouring combined with conservative bone reshaping. The procedure was completed without raising a surgical flap, helping minimize healing time and post-operative discomfort.
Following healing, the patient's smile appeared significantly more balanced and natural:
The final result created a cleaner and more harmonious relationship between the teeth and surrounding gum tissue while maintaining a natural appearance.
In cosmetic dentistry, the gums frame the teeth much like a picture frame surrounds artwork. Even small asymmetries in the gum line can significantly affect the appearance of a smile.
Proper gum contouring can help:
The goal is not simply to remove gum tissue, but to create balance and harmony between the teeth, gums, lips, and facial aesthetics.
If your teeth appear short, uneven, or hidden by excessive gum tissue, gum contouring or crown lengthening may help create a more balanced and confident smile.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Wang to determine whether soft tissue contouring alone or a more comprehensive crown lengthening approach is appropriate for your smile and long-term goals. Most patients pay around $200/month at 0% APR. See your options in 60 seconds — no credit impact.