When Is Gum Contouring Recommended?

Your smile isn’t just about your teeth—your gums play a big role, too. Sometimes, the shape or height of your gums can make your teeth look uneven, short, or “hidden.” That’s where gum contouring comes in. At Riverstone Dental Care in Canton, GA, Dr. Ruximar Linkous, Dr. Curtis Guest, and Dr. Alex Mehraban use this cosmetic and restorative procedure to create balanced, confident smiles that look natural and healthy.

What Is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring, also known as gum reshaping, is a precise dental procedure that adjusts the gumline to enhance how your teeth and gums look together. It can be done for cosmetic reasons—to even out a “gummy” smile—or as part of a restorative treatment to improve gum health.

Using careful, conservative techniques, your dentist reshapes small amounts of gum tissue to reveal more of your natural tooth structure. In some cases, gum tissue can also be added to areas where recession has caused the gums to appear too high.

When Gum Contouring Is Recommended

Every smile is unique, but gum contouring is often recommended for patients who:

• Feel their teeth look short or uneven because of excess gum tissue
• Have an asymmetrical gumline that affects the balance of their smile
• Need access to more of the tooth for a crown or filling
• Are managing gum disease and require removal of infected or overgrown tissue

For patients with a “gummy” smile, gum contouring can make a dramatic difference by revealing more of their natural enamel. For those dealing with gum recession, it can help restore symmetry and protect exposed roots.

Will Gum Contouring Make My Teeth Sensitive?

That’s a common concern—and a great question. When done properly, gum contouring doesn’t expose the tooth’s root or cementum, which are the areas most likely to cause sensitivity. Instead, it only removes a thin layer of excess gum tissue above the enamel to reshape the smile.

Some patients experience mild tenderness for a few days as their gums heal, but this is temporary and easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief or a desensitizing toothpaste. At Riverstone Dental Care, your dentist carefully plans each procedure to protect healthy tissue and ensure that the results look and feel natural.

What to Expect During Treatment

Gum contouring is typically performed under local anesthesia to keep you completely comfortable. The procedure is often finished in a single visit, and you’ll see the results right away. While your gums may feel a bit tender for a few days, most people return to normal eating and brushing routines quickly.

Our team at Riverstone Dental Care focuses on gentle, precise techniques to deliver a beautiful, balanced smile with minimal discomfort and downtime.

Gum Contouring at Riverstone Dental Care in Canton, GA

Whether you’re considering gum contouring to refine your smile or as part of another treatment, it’s a simple, effective way to enhance both appearance and health.

At Riverstone Dental Care in Canton, we take the time to understand your goals and design every treatment with care and precision. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about whether gum contouring could be the right next step for your smile.

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Categorised in: Gum Health