An uneven gum line
Even small differences in gum height can make the front teeth look out of step with one another.
GUM CONTOURING, CLEARLY EXPLAINED
Bring the gum line, tooth shape and final smile into balance.
Gum contouring can make short-looking teeth appear longer, even out an irregular gum line and create the right starting point for crowns or veneers. We plan the gums and the final restorations together, so the result feels like one smile rather than two separate treatments.
Healthy gums firstAny inflammation or gum disease is dealt with before cosmetic reshaping.
Designed as one smileThe gum line, crown or veneer proportions and final margins are planned together.
Time to settleThe tissue is allowed to heal before the final ceramics are completed.
WHERE IT MAY FIT
The goal is not simply “less gum”. It is a smile where the gums, teeth and restorations work together.
We look at the whole smile: how much tooth shows, where the gum line sits, what is causing the imbalance and how the crowns or veneers should look when treatment is complete.
Teeth that look too short
Sometimes healthy tooth is hidden by the gum. We first check the tooth and bone position before deciding what can safely be revealed.
A better frame for crowns or veneers
Shaping the gum line first can give the final ceramics more natural proportions and a cleaner, more even finish.
When the gum is not the main cause
Lip movement, tooth position or the jaw relationship can create a gummy smile too. In those cases, removing more gum may not be the right answer.
ASSESSMENT BEFORE TREATMENT
Plan the gum line around the smile you are actually creating.
The important question is not “how much gum can we remove?” It is “what will look natural, stay healthy and give the crown or veneer a stable, well-positioned edge?”
Arrange an Assessment →Are the gums healthy?
Bleeding, swelling and active gum disease need attention first. Cosmetic treatment lasts better when it begins with a healthy foundation.
Where are the tooth and bone?
We check how much natural tooth is hidden and whether the plan involves gum tissue only or a more involved crown-lengthening procedure.
What happens when you smile?
Your smile line and lip movement help show whether changing the gum line will genuinely improve the overall balance.
What will the final teeth look like?
Tooth width, tooth length, bite, gum level and restoration margins are planned together before treatment begins.
ILLUSTRATIVE COMPARISON
See how the gum line changes the apparent tooth proportions.
Move the control to see how the same teeth can look very different when more of their natural shape is visible. It is a simple design illustration—not a promise of an individual result.
- The teeth have not been widened.
- Showing more tooth changes the apparent length and balance.
- The final shape still depends on your own teeth, bite and planned restorations.
Balanced contour
Low / uneven line
Illustration only. It shows the principle more clearly, but real tooth shapes, gums and treatment limits still vary from person to person.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROCEDURE
Several gum procedures sound similar—but they solve different problems.
These treatments are often confused, but they are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on whether tissue needs to be reshaped, bone needs to be exposed, or extra gum tissue needs to be added.
Gum contouring
Carefully reshapes visible gum tissue so the gum line sits more evenly around the teeth and planned restorations.
- Used to improve symmetry and tooth proportions
- Often designed alongside crowns or veneers
- Only planned once the gums are healthy
Crown lengthening
Creates more usable tooth above the gum line for a crown, filling or cosmetic restoration and may involve reshaping both gum and bone.
- More involved than soft-tissue contouring
- Usually needs more healing time
- Can expose root surface and cause sensitivity
Gum grafting
Adds tissue rather than removing it. At Smile Savers, gum grafting is only carried out as part of a crown or veneer treatment plan, with the restoration fitted afterwards.
- Not offered by us as a standalone recession treatment
- Must be linked to a planned crown or veneer
- Other grafting needs should be assessed by an appropriate local periodontal clinician
Gum-disease treatment
Deals with inflammation and loss of support around the teeth. Cosmetic reshaping cannot hide or replace the need for periodontal care.
- Bleeding and swelling need proper assessment
- Cleaning and better home care may come first
- Advanced disease may need specialist management
WHERE IT FITS IN THE PLAN
Shape the gum line for the final smile—or choose a better route.
Once we understand what is creating the imbalance, the plan usually falls into one of two clear pathways.
Design the gum line around the new teeth
When crowns or veneers are planned, the gum line is shaped first so the final tooth length, symmetry and restoration margins all work together. If gum grafting is included, Smile Savers only carries it out within this restorative plan, with the crown or veneer fitted afterwards.
THE TREATMENT JOURNEY
Start with the finished smile in mind, then work back step by step.
The gum line is planned around the crown or veneer that will follow, with enough time allowed for the tissue to heal before the final ceramics are fitted.
- 1
Tell us what feels out of balance
We look at the smile as a whole—gum health, tooth shape, smile line, bite and the result you hope to achieve.
- 2
Get the foundation healthy
If there is inflammation, plaque build-up, decay or gum disease, that is dealt with before any cosmetic reshaping begins.
- 3
Design the crowns or veneers first
Photographs, measurements and the proposed ceramic shapes show where the gum line needs to sit for a natural-looking result.
- 4
Reshape—or graft—according to the plan
The agreed gum treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic. Smile Savers only performs gum grafting when it is followed by a planned crown or veneer.
- 5
Let the tissue settle, then finish the smile
Aftercare and review appointments give the gums time to stabilise. The final crowns or veneers are fitted when the margins can be finished accurately.
LONDON & BUDAPEST PATHWAY
Start with the design, then choose the right clinic and timing.
Begin with a London consultation
We assess the gums, teeth and smile design, then explain whether contouring, crown lengthening or another approach makes sense.
Choose London or Budapest
Your written plan confirms where each stage is best completed. Budapest may suit larger crown or veneer cases because the dentist and laboratory team can work closely together.
Allow the gums to heal
The new gum line is reviewed before the final ceramics are completed. The timing depends on how much treatment was needed and how the tissue settles.
Protect the finished result
Careful cleaning and regular reviews help protect the gums as well as the crowns or veneers they now frame.
COST & TREATMENT PLANNING
Gum treatment is quoted as part of the complete restorative plan.
Your quotation will show what is being done, how many teeth are involved, whether bone or grafting is included, where each stage takes place and which crowns or veneers follow. Older “from” prices should not be treated as a current quotation.
Gum contouring
Individually quoted
The fee depends on the type and extent of gum treatment, the clinic, the number of teeth and the crowns or veneers included afterwards.
Get a Written Plan →Current published related items
Porcelain fused to metal crownBudapest £239 · London £550
Zirconium full ceramic crownBudapest £342 · London £690Budapest offer price shown
Porcelain veneerBudapest £285 · London £399
These are unit prices for the listed restorations, not complete gum-contouring treatment totals. Additional work may be required.
HEALING, AFTERCARE & RISKS
Let the gums settle before judging the finished smile.
The first few days are only the beginning of healing. Follow the written instructions from your treating clinician, because aftercare differs according to the type of gum treatment carried out.
Be gentle with the area
Follow the advice on brushing, rinsing, food and activity, and resist repeatedly pulling the lip or cheek to check the wound.
Expect a settling-in period
Soreness, swelling, slight bleeding or sensitivity can happen at first. The overall trend should be towards feeling better, not worse.
Come back for the review
Stitches or dressings may need attention, and the dentist will check how the new gum line is healing.
Do not rush the final ceramics
The gums can shrink or rebound while they heal. Waiting for a stable tissue position helps the final crown or veneer margins look cleaner and fit more accurately.
Possible risks and limitations
These can include pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, sensitivity, visible root surface, spaces appearing between teeth, gum rebound or regrowth, asymmetry and the need for further treatment. Smoking, poor plaque control and active periodontal disease can impair healing or make elective surgery unsuitable.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Gum contouring: your questions answered.
Every smile is different. Your dentist will explain what is suitable, what is not, how long healing is likely to take and where crowns, veneers or gum grafting fit into your own plan.
Can gum contouring correct every gummy smile?
No. A gummy smile can relate to the amount of gum covering the teeth, tooth proportions, the position of the upper lip, jaw relationships or a combination of factors. Contouring is appropriate only when reshaping the visible gum line will create a healthy and stable improvement.
Is gum contouring the same as crown lengthening?
Not always. Simple contouring may reshape gum tissue only. Crown lengthening is a broader surgical procedure that exposes more tooth and may involve reshaping gum and bone, particularly when a tooth needs enough structure for a filling, crown or bridge.
Is gum contouring the same as a gum graft?
No. Contouring reshapes existing gum tissue, while a gum graft adds tissue where extra coverage or thickness is needed. Smile Savers only carries out gum grafting when it is part of a planned crown or veneer case and the restoration will be fitted afterwards. Gum grafting for recession on its own should be assessed by an appropriate local periodontal clinician.
Can contouring be completed before crowns or veneers?
Yes. In many cases the gum line is shaped first so the crowns or veneers can be designed around the healed tissue. That gives the dentist and technician a more reliable starting point for tooth length, symmetry and the final restoration margins.
Does the treatment hurt?
The treatment area is normally numbed with local anaesthetic. Soreness, tenderness, swelling or minor bleeding can occur afterwards. The extent of recovery depends on whether only gum tissue is reshaped or whether a more involved crown-lengthening procedure is required.
How long does healing take?
Initial comfort and surface healing may improve over days or weeks, but the gum contour can continue to mature for longer. If crowns or veneers are planned, the dentist may delay final restorations until the tissue is sufficiently stable. The archived Smile Savers case on this page allowed eight weeks before final crowns.
Can the gum grow back or change after treatment?
Some rebound, shrinkage or further change can occur as the tissue heals. Plaque control, the cause of excess tissue, the amount removed and whether bone was reshaped all influence stability. The dentist will explain the expected result and limitations for your case.
Do gum disease and oral hygiene need attention first?
Yes. Bleeding, active inflammation, plaque build-up and uncontrolled periodontal disease should be assessed and treated before elective cosmetic reshaping. Good home care is also important after treatment to support healing and reduce the risk of recurrent overgrowth.
How much does gum contouring cost?
The current central Smile Savers price guide does not list gum contouring as a separate item. The fee depends on how many teeth are involved, whether gum alone or gum and bone need reshaping, the clinic, and the crowns or veneers included in the plan. Your written quotation will show each recommended stage and its current fee.
YOUR NEXT STEP
See what is really creating the imbalance—and what would make the biggest difference.
A consultation brings the gum line, crowns or veneers, healing time and current fees together in one clear plan before you decide.