When you smile, your gums frame your teeth just as much as the teeth themselves. If too much gum tissue shows, or if an uneven gum line makes some teeth look short, crowded, or mismatched, your smile can feel out of balance no matter how healthy your teeth actually are. Gum contouring reshapes that tissue to create a more even, proportional smile you feel good about sharing.
We are Cedar Pearl Dental, a locally owned practice in downtown Crestview led by Dr. White. Gum contouring is one of the finishing touches within our range of cosmetic dentistry in Crestview, and we approach it with a careful eye for how your gums, teeth, and lips work together. Below, we explain what the treatment involves, why patients choose it, and what your visit with us looks like.
Gum contouring, sometimes called gum reshaping or gingival sculpting, is a cosmetic treatment where we gently remove or reshape excess gum tissue to improve the look of your smile. The goal is a gum line that sits at a natural, even height and lets more of your healthy tooth structure show. In some cases, we also use it to expose more of a tooth before placing a restoration, which supports both appearance and function.
A gummy smile, where a lot of gum tissue shows above the teeth, is more common than many people realize. According to research published in the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, roughly 10 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 30 have a gummy smile, and it tends to affect women more often than men. If you have felt self-conscious about how much gum shows when you smile, you are in good company, and a straightforward contouring treatment can make a real difference.
Every smile is different, and people come to us with a variety of goals for reshaping their gum line. Gum contouring can help in several situations:
Once the gum line is balanced, many patients choose to build on their results with other cosmetic work. Reshaped gums pair beautifully with dental veneers for a full smile makeover, and a brighter shade from professional teeth whitening can complete the look. When contouring is done to prepare for a restoration such as dental crowns, it also helps the final result fit and look more natural.
Most healthy adults who feel their gums show too much or look uneven make good candidates for contouring, but a quick evaluation always comes first. Your gums need to be free of active disease, so if we spot inflammation or infection, we treat that before any cosmetic reshaping. Strong, healthy tissue heals better and holds its new shape, which is why this step protects both your results and your long-term oral health.
The right amount of tissue to remove depends on the position of your teeth, the bone beneath your gums, and what is causing the excess gum display in the first place. Sometimes a gummy smile comes from the way the lip or jaw is positioned rather than the gums alone, and we will tell you honestly if a different treatment would serve you better. Our aim is a result you are happy with, planned around what is realistic for your smile.
Your treatment begins with a consultation so we can look at your gum line, check the health of your gums and teeth, and map out the shape you want to achieve. This planning step matters because the gums protect the roots of your teeth, and we only reshape tissue where it is safe and helpful to do so. We walk you through the plan and answer all of your questions before anything begins.
During the procedure, we numb the area for your comfort and carefully reshape the tissue along the planned gum line. Most gum contouring is quick and completed in a single visit, and any tenderness afterward is usually mild and short-lived. We send you home with simple aftercare instructions, such as sticking to softer foods for a day or two and keeping the area clean, so your gums heal smoothly and your new smile settles in.
A balanced gum line can change the way your whole smile looks, often with a single, comfortable appointment. Under the care of Dr. White, our team combines a gentle approach with an artistic eye, so your gums and teeth come together in a way that looks natural and feels like you. We welcome new patients, accept most major insurance plans, and offer flexible financing options to keep cosmetic care within reach.
If a more even, confident smile sounds like the right next step, we would be glad to see you here in Crestview. Reach out through our online contact form to schedule your consultation and start planning the smile you have always wanted.
From your first consultation to your ongoing care, we’re committed to providing you with exceptional dental services in a welcoming environment.
Conveniently located in crestview, FL
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OPENING HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (every second Saturday only)
Sunday: Closed
