Gum Sculpting and Gummy Smiles

Teeth aren’t the only thing that contribute to a winning smile; attractive gums also play a role. Too much gum on show can result in what we call a ‘gummy smile’ and uneven gums can make teeth appear unbalanced.

If you have high or uneven gums, you know how inconvenient it is to constantly hide your smile when you want to show it off to the world. If this sounds like you, gum resculpting, also known as gum lift or gum contouring, could be the solution. In less than an hour, a completely safe laser is used to reshape the gums and restore your confidence.

Laser gum contouring

We provide laser gum contouring from the convenience of our Harcourt Street Clinic. Our dental laser is safe and effective in reshaping gums and reducing the appearance of high gums. The laser also seals pockets between teeth and gums where bacteria can harbor. Laser gum contouring is a much more comfortable alternative to traditional surgical contouring, which takes about 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.

There are two types of gum sculpting for a gummy smile, gum contouring or sculpting and a gum lift. Gum contouring or sculpting refers to the removal of up to 1mm of gum to even out the gum levels or raise the gum. This is a very simple and painless procedure, with healing taking only a few hours.

If more than 1 mm of gum needs removing to achieve your ideal smile, the procedure is more involved and will necessitate a gum lift. This can take up to 4 months to heal.

Gum contouring aftercare

Tenderness and mild soreness are common in the days following a gum contour or gum lift procedure. This is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, and your dentist will gladly make a recommendation.

Brush and floss as usual while recovering, taking care not to irritate the treated gums. A soft-bristled toothbrush should help, and you should avoid hard foods like seeded bread until advised otherwise.