Gummy Smile Treatment
Feel like you show a lot of gum when you smile? A gummy smile is common, and there are several ways to treat it, including gum contouring (gingivectomy), crown lengthening and a laser gum lift at our Maroochydore practice. The right treatment depends on what’s causing it, so we start with an examination. Treatment is done by our dentists.
Your dentist checks what’s causing your gummy smile before recommending treatment.
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile is when a lot of gum shows above your top teeth when you smile. There isn’t a set measurement. It’s about how you feel about your smile. These are the most common causes, and some people have more than one.
Extra gum tissue
The gums cover more of each tooth than usual, so teeth look short.
Short-looking teeth
Teeth may be partly covered by gum, or worn down from grinding.
Lip movement
Your upper lip lifts higher than average when you smile.
Jaw position
The way your upper jaw has developed can show more gum.
The cause decides the treatment. That’s why your dentist starts with an examination to find out what’s behind your gummy smile.
Gum contouring (gingivectomy)
Gum contouring, also called a gingivectomy, removes and reshapes a small amount of gum tissue so more of each tooth shows.
It can even out a gumline that sits low or uneven over your top teeth. It’s done by your dentist under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb during treatment.
Who it may suit
- People with extra gum tissue covering their teeth
- An uneven gumline
- People planning veneers or crowns
- Healthy gums (gum disease is treated first)
Recovery
Recovery is different for everyone. Some people feel okay after a few days, while others may be a little tender or bruised for up to a week. You’ll get recovery information at your appointment and after your procedure.
Crown lengthening
Crown lengthening also shows more of the tooth, but it can involve reshaping a small amount of bone as well as gum, so the gum sits higher on the tooth. It’s often used before veneers or crowns, or when a tooth has broken near the gumline.
| Gum contouring | Crown lengthening | |
|---|---|---|
| What’s reshaped | Gum tissue | Gum, and sometimes a small amount of bone |
| Often used for | Extra gum covering the teeth, or an uneven gumline | Short-looking teeth, before veneers or crowns, or a tooth broken near the gumline |
| Who does it | Our dentists | Our dentists |
| Where | Every region, with laser at Maroochydore | Every region |
| Recovery | Varies, from a few days to about a week | Varies, and your dentist explains what to expect |
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Read about treatment risks.
Where we offer gummy smile treatment
Gum contouring, crown lengthening and muscle relaxant treatment are available across Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. Laser gum lift is available at Maroochydore.
Gummy smile treatment
Sunshine Coast
Gum contouring, crown lengthening and muscle relaxant treatment at every Sunshine Coast practice.
Laser gum lift at Maroochydore
Dentist Sunshine Coast →
Gummy smile treatment
Brisbane
Gum contouring, crown lengthening and muscle relaxant treatment at North Lakes, Murrumba Downs and Woolloongabba.
Dentist Brisbane →
Gummy smile treatment
Melbourne
Gum contouring, crown lengthening and muscle relaxant treatment at Brunswick.
Dentist Melbourne →
Gummy smile treatment
Adelaide
Gum contouring, crown lengthening and muscle relaxant treatment at Fulham Gardens.
Dentist Adelaide →
Our Cosmetic Dentistry Services Include
Laser gum lift (Maroochydore)
At our Maroochydore practice, gum contouring can be done with a dental laser, often called a laser gum lift.
Compared with traditional methods, laser gum contouring can mean less bleeding and a quicker recovery for some patients. Your dentist talks you through whether a laser suits you.
- Gently reshapes the gumline
- Can mean less bleeding for some patients
- Recovery may be quicker for some patients
- Done by our dentists
Laser gum lift is available at Avenue Dental Maroochydore
Gum contouring and crown lengthening are available at every region. If you’d like to ask about laser, book an examination at Maroochydore.
Non-surgical option
If your gummy smile is caused by your upper lip lifting higher than average, a muscle relaxant treatment may suit some patients.
The treatment relaxes the muscle that lifts your upper lip, so less gum may show when you smile. It’s non-surgical, results vary, and the effects wear off over time. Your dentist assesses whether it’s suitable and discusses it with you at your examination.
Where
Muscle relaxant treatment is available at every Avenue Dental practice.
What happens at your examination
Because the cause decides the treatment, we start with an examination. Here’s what to expect.
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1
Smile assessment
Your dentist looks at how much gum shows when you smile, how your upper lip moves, and the shape and length of your teeth.
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2
Finding the cause
Your dentist checks your gum health and may take X-rays to see the bone and tooth roots.
What they look at
- Extra gum tissue
- Tooth length and wear
- Lip movement
- Jaw position
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3
Discussing your options
Your dentist explains what they’ve found and the options that may suit you, including gum contouring, crown lengthening, laser or a non-surgical option.
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4
Your written treatment plan
You get a written treatment plan and quote before you decide anything, along with recovery information if you go ahead.
Combining with other treatments
Gum contouring is often part of a bigger plan. Your dentist can talk you through how treatments work together and the order to do them in.
Flexible payment plans
At Avenue Dental on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne, we understand that dental treatment can be difficult to fit into your budget, which is why we offer a range of different dental payment plan options.
Gummy smile FAQs
This is general information only. Your dentist can answer your questions at your examination.
Does gum contouring hurt?
Gum contouring is done under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb during treatment. Afterwards your gums may feel tender. Your dentist gives you recovery information and advice on pain relief.
How long is recovery?
Recovery is different for everyone. Some people feel okay after a few days, while others may be a little tender or bruised for up to a week. You’ll get recovery information at your appointment and after your procedure.
How long does gum contouring take?
It depends on how many teeth are involved and which treatment you’re having. Your dentist tells you how long your appointment will take when they plan your treatment.
Will the gums grow back after gum contouring?
Gum contouring is usually long-lasting, but gums can change over time, and in some cases a little tissue may grow back. Crown lengthening, which can involve reshaping bone, may give a longer-lasting result for some people. Your dentist explains what to expect in your case.
Can I fix a gummy smile without surgery?
If your upper lip lifts higher than average, a muscle relaxant treatment may suit some patients. It’s non-surgical and the effects wear off over time. Depending on the cause, orthodontics or veneers may also be options. Your dentist talks you through what may suit you.
Do veneers help with a gummy smile?
Veneers can make short-looking teeth appear longer, and they’re often combined with gum contouring so the gumline is even. Whether veneers suit you depends on your teeth and gums.
Do braces fix a gummy smile?
If your gummy smile is linked to how your teeth or jaw sit, orthodontic treatment may help in some cases. Your dentist checks the cause first.
Does a gummy smile go away with age?
Smiles can change as you get older, but a gummy smile doesn’t always change much. If it bothers you, your dentist can talk you through your options.
Is laser gum contouring available at every practice?
Laser gum lift is available at our Maroochydore practice on the Sunshine Coast. Gum contouring and crown lengthening are available across Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Is it covered by health funds?
Some health funds may cover part of gum treatment, depending on your extras cover and the reason for treatment. Check with your fund. Your dentist can give you item numbers.
