Gum Care
Gum Contouring in Gladstone
A more balanced frame for your smile.
Your gums frame your teeth, and when that frame is uneven or too prominent, it changes the whole look of your smile. Gum contouring reshapes the gumline so your teeth take center stage.
Exceptional Dentistry in Gladstone, MO
Reshaping the gumline
Gum contouring is a cosmetic treatment that sculpts the edge of the gums to create a smoother, more even line across the teeth. Some people have gum tissue that covers a large part of each tooth, which can make teeth look short or give the smile a gummy appearance. Others have a gumline that sits higher on some teeth than on their neighbors, so the smile looks lopsided even when the teeth themselves are straight. By gently removing or reshaping small amounts of tissue, your dentist can reveal more of each tooth and bring the gumline into better proportion. The technique is related to a gingivectomy, and it is often planned alongside other treatments as part of a Smile Makeover.
What it can address
Common reasons people choose gum contouring
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A gummy smile
When a lot of gum shows as you smile, reshaping the tissue can shift the balance back toward your teeth.
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Teeth that look short
Excess gum tissue can hide part of the tooth. Contouring can reveal more of its natural length.
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An uneven gumline
Gums that rise and fall unevenly across the front teeth can be leveled for a more symmetrical look.
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Before other cosmetic work
A balanced gumline can help Veneers or crowns look their best.
Why choose Marx Family Dental for gum contouring?
A pleasing gumline is a matter of small, careful decisions. We start by talking through what you would like to change, look at how your teeth, gums and lips work together, and show you how contouring fits with any other cosmetic treatment you are considering.
The contouring process
- A cosmetic consultation to discuss your goals and plan the new gumline
- The area is numbed before treatment begins
- Your dentist reshapes the gum tissue, and may use a soft tissue laser
- You receive instructions for caring for your gums while they heal
Cosmetic consultation
Free
Explore your options for a brighter, more confident smile
Our complimentary cosmetic consultation includes:
- Professional smile assessment
- Discussion of your goals & concerns
- Personalized treatment recommendations
- Information on teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding & more
Book your visit
Explore a more even smile
If your gums feel like the one thing holding your smile back, let’s talk about it. We’ll evaluate your gumline and recommend whether contouring, crown lengthening or another option suits you best.
The short answer
Gum contouring, also called gum reshaping, is a cosmetic procedure that removes or reshapes small amounts of gum tissue to create a smoother, more even gumline. The area is numbed first, and your dentist sculpts the edge of the gums, sometimes with a soft tissue laser, before giving you instructions for care while the gums heal. It is often used to correct a gummy smile, teeth that look short because gum covers too much of them, or a lopsided gumline, and can be planned with veneers, crowns or whitening.
Gum Contouring FAQ
- Is gum contouring only cosmetic?
- Gum contouring is usually done to improve appearance, but it is not always only cosmetic. A more even gumline can also make some areas easier to clean. The treatment is related to a gingivectomy, which removes gum tissue for health reasons. Your dentist will explain what contouring would do in your case.
- Will the area be numbed?
- Yes, the gums are numbed before your dentist reshapes the tissue. Numbing keeps you comfortable while the gumline is sculpted. Your dentist may use a soft tissue laser to reshape the gums. Afterward you receive instructions for caring for your gums while they heal.
- Can gum contouring be combined with other treatments?
- Often, yes. Gum contouring is frequently planned with whitening, veneers or crowns so the gums and teeth look balanced together. A more even gumline gives other cosmetic work a better frame. It can also be one part of a broader smile makeover.
- What is the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?
- Gum contouring reshapes gum tissue mainly for appearance. Crown lengthening can also involve reshaping the bone beneath the gums. It is often done to prepare a tooth for a restoration, such as a crown, by exposing more of the tooth. Your dentist will evaluate your gumline and recommend whether contouring, crown lengthening or another option suits you.
Your dentist
Meet Dr. Emily Marx
A skilled family dentist, Dr. Marx is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable while achieving their best smile. Meet Dr. Marx
