When is gum contouring done?
It is done when the gums cover the teeth and make them look short or asymmetrical. “My teeth are small and my gums show too much. The line also comes down lower on one side.” Even teeth of the same size look short or long depending on how much gum covers them. A common cause is gum tissue that still covers the teeth even after they have fully come in. I do not just draw a line without looking at how much is covered.
Why do the gums cover the teeth again if only the gum is cut?
Because gum tissue settles at a certain thickness following the height of the alveolar bone underneath. If the bone is high and only the tissue is reduced, the tissue grows back and covers the teeth. That is why we separate cases where only the gums need trimming from cases that need crown lengthening, which reshapes the bone slightly to expose more of the tooth crown.
| Current gums | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Inflamed | Gum treatment first |
| Bone position is fine, only the tissue is thick | Trim only the gums |
| Bone is high, so cutting only the tissue lets it cover again | Crown lengthening that also reshapes the bone |
| The cause is the lip lifting too high | Leave the gums alone |
| Teeth are worn or naturally small | Consider length and shape together with porcelain veneers |
What is the gum contouring process and recovery time?
- We check the bone position with imaging and gum depth measurements, and plan the line to match the lip line and tooth proportions.
- After local anesthesia, the gums are trimmed along the planned line.
- If the gum was opened to reshape the bone, it is stitched, and the stitches are usually removed after 1 week.
The procedure usually takes around 20–30 minutes depending on the extent. When only the gums are trimmed, you can often return to daily life right away, but it takes several weeks to several months for the gum line to fully settle. Recovery speed differs between trimming only the gums and also reshaping the bone; if the bone was reshaped, we wait longer for the line to stabilize. If porcelain veneers are done as well, they are bonded after the line has stabilized. Once the extent is decided, the procedure itself is fairly short.
When should gum contouring not be done?
If there is gum inflammation or periodontal disease, gum treatment comes first. If a line is drawn on unhealthy gums, recovery is slow and the line breaks down again. A gummy smile, where a lot of gum shows when you smile, also has more than one cause, so we distinguish between gums that come down and cover the teeth and a lip that lifts too high. If the lip is the cause and only the gums are cut, only the line goes up and the movement remains.
Also, gum contouring is a treatment that tidies up gum covering the teeth, not one that raises gums that have receded. Gums that have receded do not come back up. Whether the line holds after surgery is written up in Do gums drop again after gum contouring?.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
I start by looking at the alveolar bone height, inflammation, and the range exposed when you smile. I sort out whether a spot needs only the tissue trimmed, needs the bone lowered too, or should have its line left alone, and whether to do only the front teeth or include the canines is decided by the range visible when you smile. If the tooth length is already right, we do only gum contouring, and we consider porcelain veneers as well only when the teeth are worn or small. Before the procedure, I explain the planned line and proceed once you agree. According to our fee schedule, gum contouring is ₩110,000 (as of September 2026, including VAT). If only the tissue is cut, it covers the teeth again.
Frequently asked questions
Does gum contouring hurt a lot?
It is done under local anesthesia, so pain during the procedure tends not to be severe. After the anesthesia wears off, it may feel sore for a few days, and it is a little more uncomfortable when the bone was reshaped.
How should I eat after gum contouring?
For a few days, avoid spicy, hot, or hard foods and do not chew hard on the treated area. When brushing, gently clean the treated area with a soft toothbrush.
Can my teeth become sensitive after gum contouring?
When the surface near the neck of the tooth is newly exposed, it may be sensitive to cold for a while, and this usually decreases over time. If it lasts a long time, we apply treatment to protect the sensitive area.
Can dark-colored gums be changed with gum contouring?
Gum contouring is a treatment that adjusts the height of the line, not one that changes color. The method differs depending on whether it is due to pigment or the edge of a restoration, so we look at the cause first.
