If your gums cover too much of your teeth when you smile, a gummy smile correction reshapes the gumline to reveal more natural tooth and create a more balanced, proportional smile. Our board-certified periodontists design each case around your facial features and smile goals, purely for aesthetics, no crown or restoration required.
A gummy smile happens when excess gum tissue is visible above the upper front teeth, making teeth appear short and the gums appear disproportionately large when you smile. It can be caused by extra gum tissue that never receded during dental development, a high lip line, uneven tooth eruption, or the position of the upper jaw.
Cosmetic crown lengthening, also called a gum lift or gingival recontouring, carefully removes and reshapes the excess gum tissue, and occasionally a small amount of bone, along several front teeth at once to reveal more of the natural tooth and create a smile line that looks balanced from corner to corner. Because the goal is purely aesthetic, this differs from a restorative procedure done to prepare a single tooth for a crown or filling.
If your dentist has instead referred you because a specific tooth needs more exposed structure before a crown or filling can be placed, that is a different procedure. Visit our functional crown lengthening page to learn more about that restorative treatment.
Most gummy smile corrections are completed in a single visit and are designed around the natural proportions of your face and smile.
We discuss your goals, evaluate your gumline, lip line, and tooth proportions, and map out exactly how much gum tissue should be reshaped for a natural-looking result.
The treatment area is thoroughly numbed so you remain comfortable throughout the appointment. Sedation options are available for anxious patients.
Excess gum tissue, and occasionally a small amount of underlying bone, is precisely reshaped across the front teeth to create an even, proportional gumline.
The gums heal over the following weeks to months, gradually revealing the final contour and length of your new, more balanced smile.
Dr. Rana Shahi, Dr. Priscilla Young, and Dr. Ivan Yi are all board-certified periodontal specialists with advanced surgical training in gum recontouring.
We plan each case around your lip line, facial symmetry, and tooth proportions so the final result looks natural and complements your smile as a whole.
Whether you are planning veneers, whitening, or simply want a more balanced smile as-is, we coordinate timing with your general or cosmetic dentist.
Most cosmetic gum recontouring cases involving several front teeth are completed comfortably in a single appointment at our Wilshire Blvd office.
Our periodontists combine surgical precision with an eye for natural-looking proportion, helping patients throughout Los Angeles achieve a smile that feels like their own, just more balanced.
Cosmetic gummy smile correction is elective and driven entirely by your aesthetic goals. You may be a candidate if:
Mild swelling and tenderness are common in the first several days, and we provide clear post-operative instructions along with a soft-food plan to keep you comfortable while the tissue begins to heal.
Gum tissue continues to settle and mature for a few months, and as long as six months, after surgery. Follow-up appointments let us confirm your gumline is healing evenly and settling into its final, natural-looking shape.
Schedule a smile design consultation to see if cosmetic crown lengthening is right for you. We welcome patients from throughout Los Angeles.
A gummy smile is usually caused by excess gum tissue that never fully receded during dental development, a naturally high lip line, uneven eruption of the teeth, or the position of the upper jaw. Your periodontist can help determine which factor is contributing most to your smile.
Functional crown lengthening is a restorative procedure done on a single tooth to expose enough structure for a crown, filling, or bridge. Gummy smile crown lengthening is purely cosmetic, reshaping the gumline across several front teeth to improve the overall look of your smile. Learn more on our functional crown lengthening page.
The treatment is performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Mild soreness afterward is normal and typically well managed with the medication we recommend.
Initial healing takes a few weeks, though the gum tissue can continue to mature and settle into its final shape for as long as several months. We schedule follow-up visits to track your progress along the way.
Yes. Because the procedure reveals more of your natural tooth structure, teeth typically appear longer and more proportional once the gum tissue has healed, without any change to the teeth themselves.
Yes, and it is often recommended to complete gum recontouring first so your restorative or cosmetic dentist can design veneers, bonding, or whitening around your finished gumline for the most balanced result.
Yes. Any active periodontal disease should be treated and controlled before cosmetic gum recontouring is performed, since operating on inflamed tissue can affect healing and the final aesthetic outcome.
Because it is considered elective and cosmetic, gummy smile correction is generally not covered by dental insurance. Our team can provide a clear cost estimate and discuss payment options during your consultation.
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