Why do gums come up in a porcelain veneer consultation?
Because the gum line forms the upper border of the teeth. If the gum line sits low, the teeth look short and square, and if veneers are simply bonded over them, the only direction to add length is downward.
If the gums show when you smile and the gum heights of the two front teeth differ, the difference in the upper line remains even after veneers are bonded. That is why I often hear in the clinic, “My gum heights are different. Do they really have to be cut?”
When is gum contouring done together?
We consider it together only in the cases below. Otherwise, the gums are not touched.
| Gum line condition | Decision |
|---|---|
| Even and hardly visible when smiling | We don't touch it |
| There is a height difference, but it is hidden by the lip | We proceed with veneers only |
| Left and right heights differ and show when smiling | We even out the gum line |
| The gums sit low and the teeth are short | We reshape the gums to gain length |
| The upper lip lifts a lot | Cutting the gums alone won't solve it |
Can't gum contouring be done after the veneers?
If the order is reversed, the veneers may need to be remade. That is because if the gum line is raised after bonding, the upper edge of the veneer and the new gum line won't match. Also, once neat white teeth are bonded, gum differences that used to go unnoticed stand out more.
So I tell you about the areas that need gum adjustment before bonding and give you time to decide. It is not something we add by force.
If a lot of gum shows when I smile, does it have to be cut?
No. If the cause is a short upper lip or one that lifts a lot, cutting the gums only raises the line, and the lip movement stays the same. I first separate whether the gums are covering the teeth or the lip is the cause. What to check is covered in How to check before gum contouring.
In what order are porcelain veneers and gum contouring done?
The gums are reshaped first, and the veneers are bonded after they heal.
- Consultation: looking at the smile line, we separate the gums to be touched from those to be left alone.
- Gum contouring: the gum line is reshaped under anesthesia.
- Recovery: we wait for the gums to heal and the new line to settle.
- Porcelain veneers: the length and width are set to match the settled gum line, and the veneers are bonded.
Depending on the height of the bone beneath the gums, some cases only need the gums reshaped while others need a more extensive procedure, and the recovery time also differs. I tell you about this after the examination. If your veneer date is already set, we schedule by counting backward to include the time the gums need to heal.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
I look at your smile line together with you in front of a mirror and show you which lines will be touched and which won't. I don't include gum contouring as a standard part of porcelain veneers. In some cases only gum contouring is done, and because the tooth proportions then fit, veneers aren't needed.
Brinate, which is placed without shaving, involves no anesthesia, but anesthesia is used on the day the gums are reshaped. The two treatments are also priced separately.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Gum contouring | ₩110,000 |
| Brinate Basic (per tooth) | ₩330,000 |
| Brinate Build-up (per tooth) | ₩550,000 |
| Brinate Platinum (per tooth) | ₩990,000 |
As of September 2026, VAT included. All fees can be seen in All fees.
Frequently asked questions
Does gum contouring hurt?
It is done under anesthesia, so there isn't much pain during the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, it may sting or feel uncomfortable for a few days, and when only the gums are reshaped, recovery is relatively quick.
When are veneers bonded after gum contouring?
They are bonded after the gums have healed and the line has settled. The time depends on the extent of reshaping, so we set the schedule together at the consultation.
Do the gums grow back down after gum contouring?
If the gums are cut without considering the distance to the bone beneath, some of the gum can grow back down. That is why I check the distance between the gums and the bone first.
Is gum contouring covered by insurance?
Gum contouring for cosmetic purposes is not covered by insurance. It is different from gum surgery done to treat gum disease.
