What is gum contouring?

Gum contouring (also called gum reshaping or a gingival lift) is a cosmetic dental procedure that reshapes the gum line using a dental laser or scalpel. Excess gum tissue is removed to expose more of the natural tooth, or uneven gum levels are corrected to create symmetry. It can be performed as a standalone cosmetic procedure or as part of a broader smile makeover.

What is a gummy smile?

A gummy smile refers to a smile where an excessive amount of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth. Most people show 1 to 2mm of gum when they smile. Showing more than 3 to 4mm is generally considered a gummy smile and can make teeth appear short even when they are actually a normal length. Causes include overgrown gum tissue, short upper teeth, or a hyperactive upper lip muscle.

Is gum contouring painful?

Gum contouring is performed under local anaesthesia - the gum is numbed before any work begins. The procedure itself is painless. Post-procedure discomfort is typically mild and managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients report the experience as much less uncomfortable than they anticipated.

How long does gum contouring take?

A typical gum contouring procedure takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on how much of the gum line is being addressed. Minor reshaping of a few teeth might take 30 to 40 minutes. A full upper gum line correction takes up to 90 minutes. It is usually completed in a single appointment.

How much does gum contouring cost in Australia?

Gum contouring in Australia typically costs $500 to $3,000 depending on the extent of the treatment. Addressing a small area of one or two teeth is at the lower end. Full upper gum line reshaping covering 8 to 10 teeth is at the higher end. Most health funds do not cover cosmetic gum contouring, but the procedure may be partially covered if there is a clinical (not just cosmetic) indication.

Does gum grow back after contouring?

In most cases, gum tissue removed during contouring does not significantly grow back. However, if the underlying cause of excess gum tissue is not addressed (for example, medication-induced gingival overgrowth where the medication continues), the gum may gradually return. Laser contouring tends to have more predictable long-term results than scalpel-based methods.

Can gum contouring be done at the same time as veneers?

Yes, and this is actually common practice. Gum contouring is often performed before or at the same time as veneers or composite bonding. Reshaping the gum line first establishes the ideal canvas for cosmetic restorations. In some cases, gum contouring alone produces such a dramatic improvement that the planned cosmetic work is no longer needed or is reduced in scope.

Can a gummy smile be fixed with Botox instead of surgery?

In some cases, yes. If the gummy smile is caused by a hyperactive upper lip muscle (which pulls the lip higher than normal when smiling), small amounts of botulinum toxin (Botox) injected into the lip muscle can reduce how far the lip rises, reducing gum exposure. This is a non-surgical option that lasts 3 to 6 months and needs to be repeated. It is most suitable when the gum levels themselves are actually normal - just too much is revealed due to the lip movement.

Gum Contouring and Gummy Smile Treatment in Western Sydney

Q: Where can I get gum contouring near Penrith or Blacktown?

Serene Family Dental at Ropes Crossing offers gum contouring and gummy smile treatment, serving patients from Penrith, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, St Marys, Jordan Springs and throughout western Sydney. Call (02) 9053 1995 or book a cosmetic consultation online.

Most people focus on the teeth when thinking about their smile. But the gums frame every tooth in the mouth, and an uneven or excessive gum line can undermine an otherwise healthy and well-maintained smile.

Gum contouring is one of cosmetic dentistry's most underrated procedures. It's quick, relatively simple, and can produce a disproportionately large aesthetic improvement - often without any work on the teeth themselves.

What Does Gum Contouring Treat?

Gum contouring addresses problems with the position and shape of the gum line:

Gummy smile: Too much gum is visible above the teeth when smiling. This can make teeth look short and the smile appear "toothy" in the wrong direction. Gum contouring removes excess tissue to reveal more of the natural tooth crown.

Uneven gum levels: The gums sit at different heights on different teeth, creating an asymmetrical, jagged appearance. Contouring evens out the gum line for a symmetrical, balanced result.

Gum recession correction: Where the gum has pulled back from teeth, gum grafting (a different procedure) can cover exposed root surfaces. This is more a health-related procedure than a purely cosmetic one.

Pre-veneer or bonding preparation: Sometimes teeth look short not because of their actual length but because excess gum tissue is covering the natural crown. A gum lift before cosmetic work exposes the full tooth and often reduces the number of veneers needed.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

There are several possible causes:

Excess gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia) - the most common cause. The gums grow over more of the tooth than they should.
Teeth that haven't fully erupted - the tooth is present but the gum still partially covers it
A hyperactive upper lip - the lip rises further than normal during smiling, exposing more gum
A short upper lip - doesn't fully cover the gum line when at rest or during smiling
Vertical maxillary excess - the upper jaw has grown slightly longer than normal (a skeletal cause that may require orthodontic or surgical treatment for full correction)

Identifying the underlying cause is important because the treatment differs. Gum contouring addresses excess tissue issues; botulinum toxin addresses a hyperactive lip; orthodontics or orthognathic surgery is needed for skeletal causes.

How the Procedure Works

Laser Gum Contouring

The most common modern approach uses a dental laser to reshape the gum. The laser simultaneously removes and seals tissue - there is minimal bleeding, no stitches required in most cases, and faster healing than traditional scalpel methods.

The procedure:

Local anaesthetic is applied to thoroughly numb the gum area
The new gum line position is marked using a guide or drawn directly on the gum
The laser removes the excess tissue in a single pass
The area is rinsed and final checks on symmetry are made
Post-procedure care instructions are provided

The whole procedure typically takes 30 to 90 minutes.

Recovery

Most patients experience mild discomfort for 1 to 3 days after the procedure, managed easily with over-the-counter pain relief. The gums may be sensitive and slightly swollen for a few days.

You will be advised to:

Eat soft foods for the first few days
Avoid brushing directly on the treatment area initially
Rinse with prescribed mouthwash to prevent infection
Avoid very hot foods while the gum is healing

Final results are visible once full healing is complete - typically 2 to 4 weeks.

The Gummy Smile Before-and-After Effect

It is genuinely surprising how much difference gum contouring can make to a smile. When teeth appear short not because of their actual length but because excess gum is covering them, removing that tissue can reveal teeth that are perfectly proportioned - with no other work needed.

Many patients who come in expecting to need veneers find after a gum lift that whitening and contouring alone produces the result they were looking for.

How Much Does Gum Contouring Cost?

The cost depends on how much of the gum line is being reshaped:

1 to 2 teeth (minor correction): $500 to $900
4 to 6 teeth: $1,000 to $1,800
Full upper gum line (8 to 10 teeth): $2,000 to $3,000

Health funds don't typically cover purely cosmetic gum contouring. Where there is a documented clinical need (such as teeth that have not fully erupted preventing proper cleaning), partial coverage may apply.

Combining Gum Contouring with Other Cosmetic Treatments

Gum contouring produces its best results when combined with other cosmetic treatments where needed. Common combinations:

Gum contouring + teeth whitening - a simple, affordable combination that significantly transforms many smiles
Gum contouring + composite bonding - the gum is reshaped first, then composite is used to fine-tune shape and colour
Gum contouring + porcelain veneers - the gold standard combination for a complete smile transformation

At your smile design consultation, we'll assess whether gum contouring should be part of your plan and what the expected result would look like.

Gum Contouring at Serene Family Dental - Ropes Crossing

We offer gum contouring as part of our cosmetic dentistry services at our Ropes Crossing practice. Treatment is performed with dental laser technology for precision and minimal recovery time.

We see patients from Penrith, Blacktown, Mount Druitt, St Marys, Jordan Springs, Kingswood, St Clair, Glenmore Park and throughout western Sydney.

Book a cosmetic consultation or call us on (02) 9053 1995.

Gum Contouring and Gummy Smile Treatment - Is It Right for You?