How Gum Recontouring Can Fix a Gummy Smile and Reveal Hidden Teeth

So this is a young patient who came in feeling like her smile was too gummy. And her teeth looked short. Too short for her face.
But here’s the thing. Her teeth weren’t actually short. They were just hiding. Covered by excess gum tissue. So what you’re seeing when she smiles is mostly gum, not much tooth.

And that’s fixable. Through a surgical procedure, we can remove that excess gum tissue and reveal the full length of the teeth. Transform the smile line. Give her the confidence she’s been missing.

What Dr. Espino Says About Gummy Smiles

“This young patient thought her smile was too gummy and her teeth were too short. But the truth is, her teeth weren’t short at all. They were simply hiding behind excess gum tissue. Through a skillful surgical intervention, we unveiled the full beauty of her teeth and transformed her smile line, boosting her confidence along the way.”

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

So why does this happen? Why do some people show too much gum when they smile?

There are actually a few different reasons. Sometimes it’s excess gum tissue covering the teeth. That’s what we’re dealing with here. The teeth are normal length underneath, but the gums are sitting too low. Or too high, depending on how you look at it.

Other times it’s the way the upper lip moves. Hyperactive upper lip. When the person smiles, the lip pulls up too far and exposes too much gum. That’s a different issue. Different treatment.

And sometimes it’s skeletal. The upper jaw is positioned in a way that creates excess gum show. That usually requires orthodontics or even jaw surgery to correct.

But in this case, it’s excess gum tissue. And that’s something we can address surgically with gum recontouring. Often this is the first step in a comprehensive smile makeover when patients are dealing with both gummy smiles and other cosmetic concerns.

How Gum Recontouring Works

So here’s what we’re doing. We’re surgically removing the excess gum tissue to expose more of the natural tooth. Revealing the full crown length that was hiding underneath.

It’s a precise procedure. We’re not just cutting away gum randomly. We’re reshaping the gum line to follow natural tooth anatomy. Creating a balanced, symmetrical smile line.

Sometimes we also need to remove a little bit of bone. If the bone level is too high, the gums will just grow back to where they were. So we contour the bone as well to make sure the results last.

The procedure itself is done under local anesthesia. Patient’s comfortable. No pain during the procedure. Some discomfort afterward, but manageable. Heals pretty quickly.

Why This Isn’t Just Cosmetic

Now, people think of this as purely cosmetic. And yes, the main goal is improving the appearance of the smile. But there’s more to it than that.

When there’s excess gum tissue, it can be harder to keep the teeth clean. More places for plaque and bacteria to hide. That can lead to gum disease over time.

And when the teeth look short, patients often avoid smiling. They feel self-conscious. That affects their confidence. Their social interactions. Their quality of life.

So yes, it’s cosmetic dentistry. But it’s also functional. And it’s definitely psychological. The impact on confidence is real.

What Makes Someone a Good Candidate

So who’s a good candidate for gum recontouring? Patients who show too much gum when they smile. Patients whose teeth look short or stubby because of excess gum tissue.

Patients who have an uneven gum line. Where the gums sit at different heights on different teeth. That creates an asymmetrical smile. We can even that out.

And patients who are otherwise healthy. Good oral hygiene. No active gum disease. Because if there’s gum disease, we need to treat that first before we do any cosmetic gum surgery.

Age matters too. We usually wait until the patient’s in their late teens or early twenties. After the teeth and gums have fully developed. Doing it too early, things might still shift as they grow.

The Difference Between Gum Recontouring and Veneers

Now, some patients come in thinking they need porcelain veneers to fix short teeth. And sometimes that’s true. But not always.

If the teeth look short because of excess gum tissue, veneers aren’t going to solve the problem. You’d still have too much gum show. The proportions would still be off.

In those cases, gum recontouring is the right first step. Remove the excess tissue. Reveal the full length of the natural teeth. And then evaluate if porcelain veneers are even needed.

Sometimes after gum recontouring, the patient’s happy with how their natural teeth look. We don’t need to do anything else. Other times, we might combine gum recontouring with veneers or crowns to get the ideal result. That’s when it becomes a full smile makeover.

But you have to address the gum tissue first. Otherwise you’re just covering up the problem, not fixing it.

 

What the Recovery Process Looks Like

So what’s recovery like? First few days, there’s some discomfort. Some swelling. That’s normal. We manage it with pain medication and anti-inflammatories.

Patients need to be gentle with the area. Soft foods for a few days. Careful brushing. Sometimes we prescribe a special mouthwash to keep the area clean while it heals.

Gums heal pretty quickly though. Within a week or two, most of the discomfort is gone. The gums are still settling and reshaping for a few weeks after that. But the patient can see the difference right away.

Full healing takes a few months. That’s when we can really evaluate the final result and decide if any touch-ups are needed.

How This Changes the Smile Line

The smile line is the curve that your upper teeth follow when you smile. And it should be in harmony with the curve of your lower lip.

When there’s too much gum tissue, the smile line is hidden. Or it’s sitting too high. And that throws off the whole balance of the smile.

By recontouring the gums, we’re revealing and reshaping that smile line. Creating a curve that follows natural tooth anatomy. That looks balanced and proportional.

And that makes a huge difference in how the smile looks. Not just the amount of gum showing, but the overall harmony and balance of the face.

Why Symmetry Matters

One thing I’m always paying attention to is symmetry. The gum line should be even across the smile. The heights should match on corresponding teeth.

A lot of times with excess gum tissue, the levels are uneven. One tooth shows more gum than the tooth next to it. That creates an asymmetrical, unbalanced look.

During gum recontouring, we’re evening out those levels. Making sure the gum heights are symmetrical. That the smile line flows smoothly from one side to the other.

Perfect symmetry doesn’t exist in nature. But we get as close as we can. And that makes a big difference in how natural and balanced the smile looks.

The Psychological Impact of Fixing a Gummy Smile

I mentioned confidence earlier. And that’s really what this is about for a lot of patients.

They’ve been self-conscious about their smile for years. Maybe since they were teenagers. They cover their mouth when they laugh. They don’t smile in photos. They feel like people are staring at their gums.

And that takes a toll. On their self-esteem. On their social life. Even on their professional life.

When we fix that gummy smile, when we reveal those teeth and create a balanced smile line, the change in confidence is immediate. Dramatic.

Patients tell me they feel like a different person. They smile freely. They’re more outgoing. More confident in social situations.

That’s the real value of this procedure. Not just how the smile looks, but how it makes the patient feel.

Combining Gum Recontouring with Other Treatments

Sometimes gum recontouring is the only treatment needed. Remove the excess tissue, reveal the teeth, and we’re done.

Other times it’s part of a larger smile makeover. We do the gum recontouring first. Let that heal. And then we place porcelain veneers or crowns to further refine the shape, color, and alignment of the teeth.

Or we might combine it with teeth whitening. Orthodontics. Depends on what the patient needs and what their goals are.

But gum recontouring is often the foundation. You have to get the gum levels right first. Then you can build on that with other cosmetic treatments.

Why Choose a Cosmetic Dentist for Gum Recontouring

Not every dentist does this procedure. It requires training in cosmetic dentistry and an understanding of smile design. Because it’s not just about removing tissue. It’s about creating a balanced, aesthetic result.

At Riverview Dental Arts, I’ve been doing cosmetic dentistry for over 15 years. I understand how the gums, teeth, lips, and face all work together. How to create a smile line that looks natural and harmonious.

And because we have an on-site lab, if we’re combining gum recontouring with veneers or crowns, I can design those restorations to work perfectly with the new gum line. Everything’s coordinated from start to finish.

That level of precision and aesthetic planning makes a big difference in the final result.

Finding a Smile Makeover Dentist Near You

If you’re searching for a smile makeover near me or a cosmetic dentist who can address gummy smiles, it’s important to find someone with experience in comprehensive smile design.

Gum recontouring isn’t a standalone procedure in my mind. It’s part of a bigger picture. Part of creating a smile that’s balanced, proportional, and natural-looking.

At Riverview Dental Arts, we take the time to evaluate every aspect of your smile. The gums, the teeth, the bite, the facial proportions. And then we create a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific concerns and goals.

Whether that’s just gum recontouring, or a full smile makeover with veneers, crowns, and whitening, we tailor everything to you.

Is Gum Recontouring Right for You?

If you feel like your smile is too gummy, if your teeth look short, if your gum line is uneven, this might be the answer.

Come in for a consultation. I’ll evaluate your smile. We’ll talk about what’s causing the gummy appearance. Whether it’s excess tissue, lip movement, or something else.

And if gum recontouring makes sense, we’ll create a treatment plan. Show you what the results could look like. Talk through the procedure and recovery.

If you’re looking for a smile makeover dentist who understands how to create balanced, beautiful results, we’re here to help. No pressure. Just honest answers about what we can do to give you the confident smile you’ve been wanting.

 

 

View more of our smile transformation cases here.