Gum Reshaping / Gummy Smile Treatment
Get The Smile You Want
Even Out Your Smile With Gum Reshaping
in Rochester
If your smile shows too much gum, we can gently adjust it to reveal more of your teeth and create better balance. Gum reshaping in Rochester contours your gumline to expose more tooth structure, so your smile has a more proportional look. Dr. Ruchlin will evaluate your gumline and teeth together, so the new shape complements your smile as a whole.
Because gum contouring makes more of each tooth visible, your smile becomes more balanced, especially if some of your teeth look too short. Treatment also makes brushing and flossing easier in areas where excess gum tissue gets in the way. You'll feel more confident smiling, knowing your gumline matches the rest of your smile.
Read Why Our Patients Love Us
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Reshaping
Q What is gum reshaping?
Gum reshaping is a cosmetic treatment that trims and contours excess gum tissue to reveal more of the natural tooth structure underneath. It's often used to correct a gummy smile, where too much gum tissue is visible when smiling. This creates a more balanced, proportional look between the teeth and gums.
Q What causes a gummy smile?
A gummy smile can happen for several reasons, including naturally excessive gum tissue covering the teeth or a condition called altered passive eruption, where gum tissue never fully receded during development. The way the upper lip moves when smiling can also make more gum tissue visible than usual for some patients.
Q Is gum reshaping painful?
Gum reshaping is typically not painful, since the area is numbed with local anesthetic before treatment begins. Some mild soreness or sensitivity is common for a few days afterward, similar to other minor dental procedures. Over-the-counter pain relief usually manages any discomfort during the short recovery period that follows.
Q How long does gum reshaping take to complete?
Gum reshaping typically takes less than an hour to complete, depending on how much tissue needs to be adjusted and how many teeth are involved in the treatment. Many patients have the treatment done in a single visit, without needing to return for additional appointments to finish the process.
Q How long is recovery after gum reshaping?
Recovery after gum reshaping is usually quick, with most people returning to normal activities within a few days of treatment. Mild swelling or tenderness in the treated area is common initially but typically fades within a week. Following any aftercare instructions helps the gum tissue heal properly and comfortably.
Q Who is a good candidate for gum reshaping?
A good candidate for gum reshaping typically has healthy gums and teeth, with a smile that shows more gum tissue than desired. Patients with active gum disease need to treat that condition first, since reshaping works best on gum tissue that's healthy, stable, and free of inflammation.
Q Can gum reshaping be combined with other cosmetic treatments?
Gum reshaping can be combined with other cosmetic treatments, like veneers or bonding, as part of a complete smile makeover. Adjusting the gumline first allows a dentist to plan the additional treatments around the new, more proportional shape of the gums and teeth.
Q Will gum reshaping change how my teeth look?
Gum reshaping doesn't change the teeth directly, but it can make them appear longer and more proportional by revealing more of the visible tooth surface underneath the gumline. This can make teeth that seemed short or uneven look more balanced without altering their actual size or shape at all.
