Changing subtle details of your smile can transform its appearance.

Have you ever noticed that there are some features you don’t notice unless there’s a problem with them? When you’re looking at paintings on a wall, for example, you don’t notice how straight they are because you’re too busy looking at the paintings themselves. It’s only if the painting is crooked that you notice the way it’s hanging, sometimes to the point that you can’t focus on or appreciate the painting itself anymore. 

The ratio of teeth to gums showing in your smile is much the same. If it’s balanced, you don’t tend to notice it; but when it’s not, you certainly do! A smile that’s too gummy or has uneven gums can make you feel self-conscious, potentially impacting the way you interact with the people around you or even the way you see yourself.

Thankfully, modern cosmetic dentistry has several solutions to this problem, including gum contouring. This procedure adjusts the ratio between your gums and teeth, which allows your smile to showcase the unique beauty it already has. If this is your first time hearing about gum contouring, it’s natural to have a lot of questions about it like, “What is the gum contouring procedure, and how does it compare to other treatment options?” 

We know it’s not always easy to track down the answers to these questions on the internet, so we’ve put together a guide to help you understand more about gum contouring and how it could help your smile. 

What is the gum contouring procedure?

The gum contouring procedure is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that removes excess gum tissue where your gums sit against your teeth, done with hygienic laser if Dr. Alhadef performs the treatment. This lengthens the visible portion of your teeth and reduces how much of your gums show compared to your teeth when you smile. The proportion of gums to teeth in your smile is a subtle detail at first, but it plays a huge role in the overall appearance of your smile.

If too much of your gums show when you smile, it can cause your teeth to look too short. Some people don’t mind this or genuinely find it cute, and that’s okay! For others, though, the excess gum can be a big source of self-consciousness, especially when it’s very noticeable. If this is the case for you, gum contouring can transform your smile and give you new-found confidence. 

Sometimes, the gum tissue isn’t the issue though, and crown lengthening might be needed.

What’s the difference between crown lengthening and gum contouring?

Although crown lengthening and gum contouring can both improve the proportion of gum to teeth showing in your smile, crown lengthening often deals with overgrown bone that needs to be trimmed back or used as part of a restoration for someone whose tooth has broken off. Crown lengthening can involve reshaping the gum line, but the difference between them lies in the fact that gum contouring trims or removes gum tissue and crown lengthening trims or removes bone. 

Who is the best candidate for gum contouring?

Good candidates for cosmetic gum contouring are people who have:

• Excess gum tissue.
• Asymmetrical gums.
• Small teeth.
• Good oral health.

Gum contouring, typically called a gingivectomy, is sometimes medically necessary for treating periodontal disease. A gingivectomy can help treat periodontitis by removing the damaged gum tissue and contouring the healthy gum tissue around the teeth.

How do I know if a gum contouring procedure is right for me?

The best way to determine if gum contouring is right for you, especially compared to other treatment options, is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alhadef. As the best cosmetic dentist in Dallas, he’s highly skilled and qualified to guide you in understanding your treatment options and what is likely to work best for you.

He’ll start by thoroughly examining your teeth and gums and listening carefully to your treatment goals before making his treatment recommendations. His goal is always to help you determine the best treatment for you—one that will meet all of your needs—because Dr. Alhadef’s goal in dentistry is to give you a healthy, beautiful smile that you’ll truly love!

Although it’s a subtle detail, changing the proportion of gums to teeth that shows in your smile can transform its appearance, allowing you to appreciate its other uniquely beautiful qualities and giving you new-found confidence in it. If you’d like to learn more about how laser dentistry makes the gum contouring treatment better than ever, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alhadef at any time!