There’s nothing nicer than a confident smile, but some patients struggle to embrace their one-of-a-kind grin. Modern dental standards and “smile aesthetics” compound patients’ concerns, and many opt for safe, effective cosmetic dental procedures to correct their smiles.
Gum contouring is one such procedure. It’s a safe, convenient way to correct a “gummy smile” that makes some patients feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their smile.
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t always covered by health insurance plans or the NHS, and many of the procedures are costly. But that doesn’t stop our gum contouring patients, who find laser gum contouring worth every penny. We’ll walk you through that decision-making process so you can decide whether gum contouring is right for you.
What causes a gummy smile?
Most of the time, a person’s gum line is determined by genetics. So, gums growing unevenly in a parent’s mouth will usually lead to the same in their children.
A thin upper lip can also make your smile look gummier than it should. And sometimes, an overactive upper lip can expose too much gum when a patient smiles. Or your teeth might simply be small, or look small in a big mouth.
Gum contouring isn’t the only solution to a gummy smile. An overactive upper lip can be effectively treated with Botox, and composite bonding can lengthen your natural teeth to make them appear bigger in your mouth. However, these options are costly and time consuming, but still effective. For excessive gums or an uneven gum line, laser treatment is an excellent option.
How does a gum contouring procedure work?
Gum lifts are typically performed by either a periodontist or experienced dentists trained in the precise techniques of gum contouring. Your dentist will make you comfortable in the chair and numb your gums with local anaesthesia. Or, if you’d prefer to be sedated during your surgery, we can accommodate with sedation dentistry via intravenous sedation or inhalation sedation (gas-and-air).
Once you’re comfortable, your dentist will draw the shape of your new gum line with a special marker. Then, using laser technology, they’ll remove your excess gums (most patients require gum reshaping on their upper teeth). In some cases, they’ll reshape the gum line by grafting gum tissue into spaces where there is insufficient gum coverage. The procedure usually produces minimal bleeding, but sometimes your dentist might use sutures to stop it.
Every mouth is different, and your dentist may need to remove tiny pieces of bone as well as the gum tissue to ensure an even smile and discourage gum regrowth. If you’ve chosen sedation, you’ll need a friend or family member to help you get home as the sedation could make you feel a little groggy.
When they’re finished, you’ll have a more even gum line and a less-gummy smile. Plus it’s a simple procedure done in one day and doesn’t have to be done over multiple visits. Most of our patients experience dramatically-good, natural-looking results, prompting them to say they should have invested in their dream smile years ago.
Why do people choose gum contouring?
Gum contouring costs may sound steep, so it can be hard to understand why patients choose it – unless you’ve ever been told you have “too much gum” or struggled to feel confident with a gummy smile.
Excess gum tissue is the most common reason patients seek gum contouring, along with a noticeably uneven gum line. Gums that overhand the tooth line or protrude further than usual make some smiles look “gummier” than others, and our patients find themselves hiding their smiles to avoid drawing attention to their gum line. Gum contouring offers a simple solution with minimal discomfort.
Grafting gum tissue
Although the majority of people seeking gum contouring want to remove gum tissue, in some cases, gum contouring involves replacing gums instead. As we age, our gum line recedes. Gum contouring can graft gum tissue back into a smile where tooth roots have become exposed. This will stabilise the tooth and keep it in place for longer.
What are the health benefits of gum contouring?
Gum contouring is essentially a cosmetic treatment, but it has health benefits, too. Excess gum tissue can trap bacteria, leading to gum disease. By removing the excess tissue, gum contouring can improve gum health, and you can begin to treat gum disease without the ongoing impediment of a larger gum line.
Is gum contouring painful?
Happily, gum contouring is a relatively painless procedure. During the surgery, you’ll have either local anaesthetic or be under sedation, so you shouldn’t feel anything. Post-surgery, most patients report only mild discomfort, which can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers.
But you’ll need to follow a few rules to avoid infection. After your gum surgery, commit to maintaining good oral hygiene and eating soft foods for a few days while your gums heal.
How much does gum contouring cost?
Lots of factors determine the cost of your gum contouring procedure, but generally costs start at £350. If you need extensive gum contouring involving the entire gum line or multiple quadrants of the mouth, gum contouring can range between £1,000 to £3,000 (or more). The NHS and your private dental insurance might not cover cosmetic work, so you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket for your beautiful smile.
But, if you’re a monthly maintenance plan member, you can get 20% off gum contouring procedures. Our treatment plans offer great deals and discounts to members, so talk to our front office team about joining to make gum contouring (and other treatments, like teeth whitening) more affordable.
The bottom line: How to know if gum contouring costs are worth the investment
Here’s a simple checklist that will tell you whether your gorgeous gum contouring results will outweigh the costs of gum contouring.
- You habitually hide your gummy smile
- Your gummy smile makes you less likely to laugh out loud, or you often feel unhappy about your smile
- You’re prepared to take time off work for the procedure and commit to a standard after-care routine to give your mouth healing time
- You’re ready to smile with pride and confidence
If that sounds like you, you’re ready for an even gum line and a proud, confident smile via gum contouring.
Still not convinced? That’s ok! There are other gummy smile treatments that can help reshape your smile and rebuild your confidence. Some patients choose other treatments – like crown lengthening – rather than laser gum reshaping to give them a balanced gum line and an ideal smile.
What is crown lengthening?
It’s another type of dental procedure used to help correct a gummy smile. It involves reshaping gum tissue and occasionally the underlying bone to expose more of the tooth.
Book your initial consultation
If you’re interested in gum contouring, we’ll gladly talk to you about your treatment options and recommend a personalised treatment plan at your next appointment. Book your FREE CONSULTATION and start planning your brand new smile.