Gum contouring:
short-looking teeth back to their real length
When the gums cover much of the teeth, the teeth look short and the gums look wide. Trimming the excess gum corrects the tooth proportions and the gumline.
- Cause checked first from smile photos
- Gums trimmed with a laser
- Veneers possible right after gum contouring
- Performed by any Blanche dentist
- KRW 100,000 (≈ USD 75) per tooth
When your teeth look short
and a lot of gum shows
Gum contouring trims gum tissue that covers more of the teeth than it should, revealing the hidden tooth length and evening out the gumline. Among gummy smiles, where a lot of gum shows when smiling, it is considered when the cause lies in the gums rather than the lip. The teeth themselves are not shaved; only the position of the gum margin changes, and with a different gumline the same teeth look different in length and shape.
It is also called gingivoplasty, gingivectomy or gumline reshaping.
- My front teeth look short and square, making my smile look childish or cramped
- When I smile, people notice my gums before my teeth
- My two front teeth have different gum heights, so my smile looks crooked
- I finished orthodontic treatment, but the gumline on some teeth is uneven
- I want to even out my gumline before getting veneers
- My gums feel thick and swollen, as if they cover my teeth
How does gum contouring
change tooth proportions?
The teeth stay as they are; the gum margin covering them is moved up to reveal the hidden part. At Blanche, trimming only the gums is the standard. Adjusting the bone beneath the gums cannot be undone, so it is considered carefully and only when truly necessary.
① Gums covering the teeth
The gum margin sits low, so the teeth look short and square and a wide area of gum shows when smiling.
Right after treatment② Trimming the gums only (standard)
The covering gum is trimmed with a laser to raise the margin. The dotted line is the gumline before trimming.
Only when truly necessary: adjusting bone height
Only when the gums alone cannot give the length needed do we carefully consider slightly lowering the bone height.
Bone that has been removed does not grow back. That is why Blanche avoids bone adjustment whenever possible, checks the gum depth and the bone position on X-rays, and plans within the height that can be achieved by trimming the gums alone.
Gums only, or bone as well?
At Blanche, gums only is the standard
Gum contouring falls into two main types. Blanche uses gum trimming, which stays within a reversible range, as the standard, and considers bone adjustment, which cannot be undone, carefully and only when truly necessary.
What gum contouring can offer
- The hidden tooth length is revealed, which can make tooth proportions look more natural
- Less gum shows when you smile
- Gum heights on both sides can be matched for a more even smile line
- With a neater gum margin, veneer shapes are easier to plan
Downsides and limits to accept
- Sensitivity, swelling and gum pain may occur during recovery
- Trimmed gums may partly grow back over time
- If the cause is a lip that rises a lot, gum contouring alone may make only a small difference
- If the root side of a tooth is exposed, differences in color or shape may show
When gum contouring suits you,
and when another treatment comes first
Not everyone whose gums show a lot needs gum contouring. We first sort out the cause with smile photos and an examination.
When we consider gum contouring
- Gums cover much of the teeth, so they look short
- Gum heights differ between sides or neighboring teeth
- You want a neater gum margin before veneers
- The gumline was left uneven after orthodontics
What we check first
- Gum inflammation or bleeding is treated first
- Gum thickness and depth, and bone position
- Root length and whether teeth are loose
- Whether the gums are thin and prone to receding
When another treatment comes first
- Upper lip rises a lot → vestibuloplasty · Botox
- Front teeth stick out → orthodontic treatment
- Upper jaw has grown long downward → skeletal assessment
- Gums have already receded → not a candidate for gum contouring
When there are several causes, treatments can be combined. At Blanche, the decision does not rest on one dentist alone; if orthodontics seems necessary, we review it with an orthodontic specialist. All the causes of a gummy smile are covered on the Gummy Smile Treatment page.
Why we even out the gumline
before veneers
Veneers are thin ceramic shells bonded to the front of the teeth to change their color and shape. If they are placed while the gums still cover much of the teeth, the new teeth follow the same short, square proportions. By first evening out the gumline to gain tooth length, the veneer shape can be planned with more natural proportions.
Veneers can be done right after gum contouring, or you can go straight on to one-day veneers. On the other hand, if your gumline is already even and your teeth are long enough, veneers alone are fine without gum contouring. Among Blanche veneer plans, Signature PLATINUM includes additional treatments such as gum contouring, with no limit on the number of teeth for the included gum contouring. See the plan details at Blanche no-prep veneers.
What we check when planning both
First, we set the tooth length that suits your smiling face We decide how far to raise the gums to reach that length We check the range that can be trimmed without touching the bone Veneers can follow right after gum contouring, including as one-day veneers
The gum contouring process
From consultation to follow-up, it goes in this order. Every dentist at Blanche can perform gum contouring.
- 01
Consultation · photos · exam
We check the position of the gums and bone with smile photos, gum depth measurements and X-rays.
- 02
Gumline planning
We set the height to trim based on tooth length and left-right balance.
- 03
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is given to the gums in the area to be trimmed.
- 04
Laser gum trimming
The gums are trimmed with a laser along the planned line. Bone adjustment is done only when truly necessary.
- 05
Finishing · veneers
If you wish, veneers are done right after.
- 06
Follow-up
We check that the gums heal well and the line settles evenly.
Veneers can be done right after gum contouring, or you can go straight on to one-day veneers. In the rare cases where bone adjustment is truly necessary, we allow a recovery period first; we will explain the schedule at the consultation.
After treatment there may be sensitivity, swelling, gum pain and bleeding; recovery time, results and how long they last vary from person to person.
After gum contouring:
what to watch during recovery
It is important to keep irritation low until the trimmed gums heal at their new margin. Below is general guidance; we will explain again based on your condition after treatment.
- 01
Brush gently
Don't scrub the treated area hard with a toothbrush; care for it gently as instructed.
- 02
Avoid irritating foods
Avoid spicy, salty, hot and hard foods until the gums heal.
- 03
Managing sensitivity
The newly exposed part of the tooth may be sensitive to cold. This usually eases over time.
- 04
Cut down on smoking and alcohol
Smoking and alcohol can slow gum healing, so they are best avoided during recovery.
Let us know right away if
- Bleeding does not stop or swelling keeps getting worse
- You have a fever or see pus at the treated site
- Sensitivity does not ease and gets worse instead
Gum contouring side effects:
know them before you start
Gum contouring is a relatively small procedure, but because it involves the gums, some discomfort can occur during recovery. Most of it eases over time, but how much and for how long differs from person to person.
Gums tend to return to their original position, so trimmed gums may partly grow back. On the other hand, raising them too much can make the gums look receded, so we set the height carefully at the planning stage. This is also why we avoid irreversible bone adjustment whenever possible.
- Teeth may be sensitive to cold or hot
- Swelling and gum pain may last a few days
- For the first few days, there may be a little bleeding when brushing
- Trimmed gums may partly grow back over time
- The newly exposed part of the tooth may look different in color or shape from the part above
- Depending on healing speed, the gumline may look uneven between sides for a while
Blanche gum contouring: real cases
These are cases where the gums covered the teeth and made them look short. Case 1 was photographed right after treatment, so some redness remains on the gums.
Real Blanche Dental cases published with the patients' consent. Recovery time and results vary from person to person, and sensitivity, swelling and temporary bleeding may occur after treatment.
Gum contouring cost
Gum contouring costs KRW 100,000 (≈ USD 75) per tooth, VAT excluded. The total depends on the number of teeth treated.
- 01
KRW 100,000 per tooth
The gums are trimmed with a laser, and only the teeth that need it are treated.
- 02
With veneers, explained separately
We separate what is included in your veneer plan from what is done separately, so you know what each cost is for.
- 03
Feel free to decide at home
We go over every explanation at least four times. Take your time and decide once you fully understand.
- Prices by veneer plan are on Veneer prices, and prices for all treatments are on our full price list. USD amounts are approximate, based on USD 1 = KRW 1,359.
A clinic that looks at gums, lips
and teeth together
A gummy smile rarely has just one cause. Blanche looks at gum height, upper lip movement, and tooth length and position together, and recommends only the treatment you need. Veneers and orthodontics can be planned in the same place as a next step.
- Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist · Graduated from Seoul National University College of Dentistry and School of Dentistry; Master of Dental Science, Seoul National University
- Trained at US Columbia & UCLA Dental Hospitals
- Six dentists with an average of 15+ years of experience · Collaboration with orthodontic specialists
Gum contouring: common questions
When is gum contouring done?
Are gum contouring and gingivectomy the same thing?
Are there cases where the bone has to be shaved?
Which dentist performs the procedure?
Does gum contouring hurt?
Can my teeth become sensitive?
Do the gums grow back?
Can I get veneers right after gum contouring?
If I get veneers, do I also need gum contouring?
Won't gum contouring just make my teeth look long and unnatural?
Can gum contouring alone fix a gummy smile?
Can the gum height be matched on just one side?
My gumline is uneven after orthodontics. Can I have gum contouring?
How should I brush during recovery?
When can I return to normal activities?
What side effects can occur?
How much does gum contouring cost?
Can I get a consultation from overseas?
Reviewed by Dr. Taehyung Kim, Chief Dentist (Graduated from Seoul National University School of Dentistry; Master of Dental Science) · Last updated
Blanche Dental Clinic, Nonhyeon Station, Gangnam
A 30-second walk from Exit 4 of Nonhyeon Station, on Gangnam-daero.
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How much gum to trim
starts with looking at your tooth length
Send us a front-facing photo of your full smile on WhatsApp. A dentist will look at it personally and tell you whether your gumline needs reshaping.
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