Excess or uneven tissue
A particular gumline can change how long teeth appear. First, the assessment distinguishes excess tissue from inflammation, tooth position, lip movement or other contributors to the appearance.
Cosmetic Dentistry / Treatment guide
Gum Contouring
Gum contouring changes the outline of gum tissue around selected teeth. It may be considered when excess tissue affects tooth proportions, after the cause of the gum appearance and the underlying bone levels are assessed.
Explore your options with our Atlas Dental team. Ask who would provide your treatment and whether a specialist referral is needed.
Let’s talk about your options See what care can involveA closer lookTreatment image
Refining the gumline
A laser reshapes selected gum tissue to change the visible outline around the teeth.
- 01Natural teeth
- 02Gum margin
- 03Selected reshaping
Laser treatment is one technique. Bone levels and the cause of excess gum coverage determine whether gum contouring alone is suitable.
Understanding your care
Planning the frame around the teeth
Start with the purpose of treatment, then explore what matters for your own care.
A healthy foundation
Healthy gums and an understanding of underlying bone are essential to planning. Removing visible tissue alone may be unsuitable if it would disrupt the tissues supporting the tooth.
The right extent of care
Some cases involve only soft tissue; others require crown lengthening or another approach. The proposed treatment should explain the actual anatomy, rather than promise a simple cosmetic trim.
From questions to a plan
What care can involve.
The details and sequence depend on your assessment and individual treatment plan.
Understand the appearance
Discuss the concern and examine gums, teeth, bite and smile. Review whether swelling or another treatable condition is affecting the visible gumline.
Map the limits
Assess the relationship of gum and underlying bone. Discuss the intended contour and whether additional periodontal treatment or specialist assessment is needed.
Reshape selected tissue
Carry out the agreed approach with an appropriate comfort plan. The method and extent depend on the diagnosis, rather than a preferred instrument alone.
Review the healed contour
Assess tissue healing before judging the longer-term appearance. Discuss whether further care is appropriate and how the revised gumline relates to any planned restorations.
Before you decide
A plan that makes
sense for you.
Not every prominent or uneven gumline is best treated by removing tissue. Bone position, lip movement and tooth alignment can change the options. Gum reshaping can cause discomfort, bleeding, infection, sensitivity or an unwanted contour, and tissue may regrow. The plan should explain whether the procedure is limited to gum tissue or involves crown lengthening and bone adjustment.
Will contouring make my teeth bigger?
It does not add tooth structure. It can reveal more of a tooth that is covered by gum, changing its visible proportions. Whether that is suitable depends on the anatomy.
How is this different from crown lengthening?
The terms can overlap. Cosmetic contouring often describes changing the visible gum outline; crown lengthening may adjust gum and bone to expose tooth structure for restorative or aesthetic purposes.
Is a laser always used?
No. Different instruments can be used to reshape tissue. The diagnosis, planned tissue change and clinician’s approach matter more than assuming one instrument is appropriate for every case.
A place to begin
Bring your questions.
We’ll start there.
Talk through your priorities, alternatives and who would provide your care. An assessment helps clarify the next step.
Let’s talk about your optionsOur team will contact you to confirm your visit.
About this guide & educational sources
The treatment images and animations in this guide illustrate examples of care. They are not Atlas Dental patient results, personal treatment recommendations or statements about an individual clinician’s scope. Your assessment and care plan determine which options are appropriate for you.