A confident smile is all about balance; showing just the right mix of teeth and gums. If you feel your smile is a little too “gummy,” you’re not alone, and the good news is, there are ways to improve it. At Paramount Dental in Roseville, we help determine the reason for the extra gum display and then customize treatment to meet your goals, comfort, and budget.
During your consultation visit, we help identify the root cause of your gummy appearance, whether it’s excess gum tissue, short teeth, tooth positioning, or a hyperactive upper lip. We will explain treatment options, which may include gum reshaping, orthodontic movement, veneers, bonding, or periodontal procedures, and the pros and cons of each. Then, together we create a clear, step-by-step treatment plan to achieve a more confident smile.
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Benefits
- Balanced esthetics: Reveals more tooth and less gum for a proportionate smile line.
- Personalized plans: Treatment options are recommended based on the underlying reason, whether that is extra gum tissue, tooth position, or lip movement.
- Less is more: In many cases, improvement can be achieved with minor gum reshaping or orthodontic tweaks.
- Finish the look: Add whitening, bonding, or veneers to refine the color and shape of your teeth to give you a radiant and balanced smile.
- Confidence boost: With an improved smile, you will enjoy smiling and communicating more with others.
Procedure/Process
- Assessment & smile design — We gain a full picture by assessing your gum levels, tooth length, bite, and lip motion when you smile. This helps identify the reason you have a ‘gummy’ smile and then create a plan to improve it.
- Gum contouring (gingivectomy/gingivoplasty) — Small amounts of excess gum are removed for a smoother gumline when teeth are already the right length.
- Tooth lengthening — If your teeth look short, this procedure gently reshapes the gum and, at times, bone to expose more of each tooth for a more balanced smile.
- Orthodontic approach — In some cases, clear aligners or braces may be necessary to reposition teeth and reduce the amount of gum displayed.
- Lip procedures — If the upper lip retracts too much when smiling, minor lip surgery limits the amount the upper lip lifts when you smile. Another approach is adding volume or adjusting the shape of the upper lip, causing it to cover more of your gums.
- Cosmetic finishing — Tooth whitening, bonding, or veneers fine-tune the shape and shade of teeth for a balanced result.
Candidacy & Alternatives
Great candidates are healthy overall with realistic goals. We’ll recommend treatment based on the underlying cause:
- Extra gum tissue, normal tooth length: gingival contouring for small adjustments.
- “Short” teeth from tissue/bone position: crown lengthening to expose proper tooth height.
- Tooth eruption/position issues: orthodontic intrusion or alignment (often with Invisalign).
- To refine color/shape after gum changes: veneers or bonding.
If gum display is related to skeletal jaw position, we’ll discuss referral-based options and whether staged care (orthodontics + restorative) could meet your goals.
Cost & Insurance
Fees depend on the diagnosis and procedure type (minor gum reshaping vs. crown lengthening vs. orthodontics). Cosmetic gum contouring is often not covered by insurance, while medically necessary periodontal or restorative procedures may receive partial benefits under your plan. We’ll review a personalized estimate and payment options at your visit.
- Single-tooth/limited contouring: generally lower fees; quick healing.
- Crown/Tooth lengthening: higher cost due to surgical planning and tissue/bone recontouring.
- Orthodontic treatment: varies with case complexity and duration.
- Financing: We partner with CareCredit®, Cherry and Proceed Finance to offer flexible plans that fit your needs and timeline.
Aftercare & Maintenance
- Follow your home-care instructions closely: gentle brushing, prescribed rinses, and avoiding the area while it heals.
- Expect mild tenderness after gum procedures; use recommended pain relief and a soft diet for a day or two.
- Keep regular cleanings to maintain healthy, sculpted gumlines.
- Protect your results by addressing grinding/clenching with a custom nightguard if needed.
- For lip-focused treatments with temporary effects, plan periodic maintenance as advised.
Gummy Smile FAQs
When is a smile considered “gummy”?
Perception varies, but studies suggest many people notice a gummy appearance when roughly 4 mm of gum shows above the upper teeth. Your comfort and goals matter most.
How do you decide which treatment I need?
We identify the cause, whether it’s extra gum tissue, short clinical crowns, tooth position, or a hyperactive upper lip, and then match treatment accordingly. Sometimes a combination (e.g., minor gum reshaping plus aligners) gives the best result.
What’s the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?
Gum contouring adjusts soft tissue only for small changes. Crown lengthening repositions gum and sometimes bone to reveal more natural tooth when teeth look short.
Can clear aligners fix a gummy smile?
In select cases, orthodontic intrusion and alignment can reduce gingival display, especially when tooth position contributes to the look. We’ll evaluate whether aligners are appropriate.
How long is recovery?
Minor gum reshaping usually heals within days. Crown lengthening or combined procedures take longer. We will provide recovery timelines and care tips based on your specific treatment(s).