When your gums show more than your teeth, your smile might not look the way you want it to. And, you’re not the only one who feels that way. Many people feel a little self-conscious for the same reason. A gummy smile can feel out of balance, even when your teeth are healthy and clean.
The good news is that there are simple ways to fix it. Gum contouring is one option that gently shapes the gums to help your teeth stand out more. At Malouf Dental, we use advanced tools like lasers to make the process smooth and comfortable.
In this guide, we’ll explain how gummy smile treatment works, what causes it, and how a small smile enhancement can help you feel more relaxed when you smile.
Ready to see what’s possible for your smile? Let’s get started.
Gum Contouring (Before and After Results)
Gum contouring is a gentle treatment that removes extra gum tissue so more of your teeth can show. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt like your smile shows too much gum, this could be a helpful option. It’s one of the most common ways to improve a smile with gums showing too much.
Here’s what you can expect during gum contouring:
- Before: Many people are surprised to learn their teeth aren’t the issue. Teeth may seem short or hidden, even if healthy. The gums cover too much of the teeth, which makes the smile look uneven or smaller.
- After: A cleaner, brighter smile is where your teeth take centre stage, and the small shift in gum height can change your whole appearance. You’ll notice that your teeth look longer and your smile feels more even without needing extra dental work.
- Recovery: Most people feel a bit of soreness, like after eating something too hot. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed. It’s a gentle procedure, and most people are back to their usual routine the next day.
- Results: You’ll see a difference straight away. Your gum line keeps settling over the next few days, and by the end of the week, your new smile feels like a natural fit.
Based on our experience, seeing these changes in photos helps people realise this is a small, focused change that brings out their real smile.
Causes of Gummy Smiles and How to Recognise Them
Many people think a gummy smile just means their gums are too big. But in reality, several things can cause it, and not all of them are because of gums.
Sometimes, the teeth are shorter than usual or haven’t come through fully. Other times, the upper lip lifts a bit too high when you smile, which can make the gums more visible. Some people have a jaw shape that naturally shows more gum, even if their teeth are straight and healthy.
Knowing the exact cause helps your dentist suggest the right fix. Not every gummy smile treatment works for every smile, which is why a proper check-up is important.
Now that you understand what might be causing your gummy smile, let’s look at a reliable way many people are fixing it.
Benefits of Laser Treatment for Gum Reshaping
Laser tools are quickly becoming the go-to method for gum reshaping. Dentists are choosing lasers more often because they’re accurate, gentle, and make patients feel more comfortable. If you’re someone who gets nervous at the dentist, this option can change the whole experience.
Here’s what makes laser gum contouring stand out:
- No blades or stitches: Instead of cutting the gums, a soft-tissue laser gently reshapes them. You’ll feel almost nothing during the process and won’t need stitches after. Most people say it feels more like a light tickle than a dental treatment.
- Cleaner finish: The laser allows for tiny, careful movements. That means smoother lines and more natural-looking results. This can make your smile look more refined, especially in close-up photos.
- Less to worry about: There’s less bleeding, fewer follow-up visits, and a lower chance of infection (all thanks to the way the laser works). That also means fewer surprises after the appointment.
- Good for anxious patients: The quieter, more relaxed setting helps people feel more at ease. It doesn’t have the loud buzz of traditional tools, so you feel a calm experience that’s over before you know it.
One of our patients, a 29-year-old teacher, was nervous at first but left smiling. She was back at work the next day and said it was the easiest dental visit she’d ever had.
If laser reshaping isn’t the right fit for you, there are still other ways to improve your smile. Here’s what else to consider.
Other Treatments That Help with a Gummy Smile
Fixing a gummy smile starts with knowing your options. Gum contouring and laser tools work well when extra gum tissue is the cause. But if something else is behind your gummy smile, there are other treatments to explore. Your dentist can help you figure out which option fits best.
Here are some other gummy smile treatment procedures worth knowing about:
Braces or aligners
Braces or clear aligners gently move your teeth into a better position over time. This kind of gummy smile treatment takes patience. It takes several months to a few years, but the results often last for life. You’ll likely notice other improvements too, like a better bite and more even spacing.
Crown lengthening or jaw surgery
These are for more complex cases, especially if bone structure or jaw placement is involved. Crown lengthening can cost $1,000–$4,000 and takes a couple of weeks to heal. Jaw surgery is more serious, with longer planning and recovery, and costs can go well beyond $10,000.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure which option fits you, ask your dentist to explain the pros and cons of each one. A short conversation can clear up a lot and help you feel more sure about your choice.
Feeling good about your options is a great start. Now let’s see how even small changes in your gums can help you feel more comfortable and confident every day.
Confidence Benefits After Gum Contouring
When your gums and teeth feel more balanced, your smile starts to feel easier. You stop thinking about how much gum is showing, and you just smile. That small shift in how your smile looks can bring a big change in how you feel.
Many people who choose this kind of smile enhancement tell us they feel more relaxed in everyday moments. They smile in photos without covering their mouth, join conversations more freely, and feel more comfortable just being themselves. It makes you feel good in your own skin.
One patient even joked they were smiling so much more, their cheeks were getting a workout. That’s the kind of smile with gums people want to keep showing off.
Smile More Freely with Malouf Dental
Gum contouring brings balance to your smile in a way that feels natural. If you have a gummy smile or your teeth seem out of proportion, know that these are common concerns with simple solutions. You don’t need a dramatic change to feel more comfortable.
In this guide, we’ve talked about what causes a gummy smile, the treatment options that can help, and how laser tools make the process faster and easier. We’ve also seen how these small adjustments can boost your confidence in everyday life.
If you’ve been holding back your smile, this might be the quiet change that helps you feel more at ease. Sometimes, the smallest improvements can help you feel more like yourself again.
