Gingivoplasty: Reshape Your Gumline for a More Balanced Smile
The shape of your gums has a significant effect on the appearance of your smile. When gum tissue covers too much of the teeth, appears uneven, or creates an asymmetrical gumline, the teeth may look shorter or less balanced than they actually are.
Gingivoplasty is a dental procedure used to carefully reshape and contour the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. It may be recommended to improve smile symmetry, correct irregular gum contours, remove small amounts of excess tissue, or create a more natural transition between the teeth and gums.
At Arguello Dentistry, we provide personalized gingivoplasty and gum-contouring treatment for patients at our dental offices in Margate and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. Every procedure begins with a detailed evaluation of your teeth, gums, smile proportions, and oral health so that treatment is planned around your individual needs.
What Is Gingivoplasty?
Gingivoplasty is the surgical reshaping of the gingiva—the gum tissue that surrounds and supports the teeth. The American Dental Association defines gingivoplasty as a surgical procedure used to reshape the gingiva.
During the procedure, selected areas of gum tissue are carefully sculpted to create a smoother, more symmetrical gumline. Gingivoplasty primarily changes the shape or contour of the gums rather than treating the teeth themselves.
The procedure may be performed on one tooth, several teeth, or across the visible smile line, depending on the patient’s anatomy and treatment goals.
What Problems Can Gingivoplasty Correct?
Gingivoplasty may be appropriate when a patient has:
- An uneven or asymmetrical gumline
- Excess gum tissue around one or more teeth
- Teeth that appear unusually short because they are partially covered by gum tissue
- A “gummy smile”
- Irregular gum contours caused by genetics, trauma, inflammation or previous dental treatment
- Gum tissue that interferes with the appearance or placement of a restoration
- A need to refine the gumline before veneers, crowns or other cosmetic dental treatment
Not every gummy or uneven smile can be corrected by removing gum tissue alone. In some cases, tooth position, lip movement, jaw anatomy or the relationship between the gumline and underlying bone may also contribute to the appearance of the smile. A clinical examination is necessary before determining the correct treatment.
Gingivoplasty vs. Gingivectomy: What Is the Difference?
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they describe different treatment objectives.
Gingivoplasty reshapes and recontours gum tissue to improve its form, symmetry or appearance.
Gingivectomy removes a portion of gum tissue. The ADA defines gingivectomy as the excision or removal of gingiva.
A gingivectomy may be performed to remove diseased or excessive gum tissue, improve access to a tooth, reduce certain periodontal pockets or expose additional tooth structure. Gingivoplasty may then be used to smooth and refine the remaining tissue.
Some patients need only gingivoplasty, while others may require a combination of gingivectomy and gingivoplasty. The proper procedure depends on the amount of tissue present, the position of the bone and the purpose of treatment.
Is Gingivoplasty the Same as Crown Lengthening?
No. Gingivoplasty and crown lengthening can sometimes produce a similar cosmetic result, but they are not necessarily the same procedure.
Gingivoplasty usually involves reshaping the gum tissue. Crown lengthening may require repositioning both the gum tissue and the bone surrounding the tooth to expose more of the natural tooth structure. Crown-lengthening techniques can include gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, flap surgery and, when necessary, modification of the underlying bone.
Before treatment, we evaluate the relationship between your gums, teeth and supporting bone. Removing too much gum tissue without respecting that relationship can produce an unstable result or compromise periodontal health.
Who May Be a Good Candidate for Gingivoplasty?
You may be a candidate when:
- Your gums are generally healthy
- You are unhappy with an uneven or excessive gumline
- Enough healthy gum tissue will remain after treatment
- The supporting bone is positioned appropriately
- You maintain good brushing, flossing and professional dental care
- You do not have uncontrolled gum disease or another condition that could interfere with healing
- You understand the realistic benefits and limitations of the procedure
A periodontal evaluation may include measurements of the gum tissue around the teeth. The periodontal probe remains an important instrument for evaluating periodontal tissues and attachment levels.
Active inflammation or periodontal disease may need to be treated before cosmetic gum contouring is considered.
What Happens During a Gingivoplasty Procedure?
1. Smile and periodontal evaluation
Your dentist examines the teeth, gums, bite and visible smile line. We also discuss what you would like to change and determine whether gum contouring alone can produce the desired result.
Photographs, periodontal measurements and dental imaging may be used when appropriate.
2. Treatment planning
The planned gumline is evaluated in relation to:
- Tooth length and width
- Gum symmetry
- The position of the underlying bone
- The amount of gum visible when you smile
- Existing crowns, veneers or restorations
- Future cosmetic or restorative treatment
3. Local anesthetic
The treatment area is numbed with local anesthetic to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
4. Gum reshaping
The dentist carefully removes or reshapes the selected gum tissue to create a more even contour. The exact technique depends on the amount and location of tissue being treated and the patient’s clinical needs.
5. Final evaluation and instructions
The gumline is checked for symmetry and proper contour. You will receive instructions explaining how to care for the area while it heals.
Benefits of Gingivoplasty
When appropriately planned, gingivoplasty may:
- Create a smoother and more symmetrical gumline
- Make short-looking teeth appear more proportional
- Reduce the appearance of excess gum tissue
- Improve the balance between the teeth, gums and lips
- Refine the appearance of crowns, veneers or other cosmetic restorations
- Improve access to certain tooth surfaces for restorative treatment
- Help some areas become easier to clean
The result depends on the cause of the uneven gumline and the relationship between the gum tissue and underlying bone. Gingivoplasty cannot correct every cause of excessive gum display.
Does Gingivoplasty Hurt?
The area is numbed before treatment, so patients should not feel the tissue being reshaped. Pressure or movement may still be noticeable.
After the anesthetic wears off, temporary tenderness, sensitivity or mild swelling can occur. The degree of discomfort depends on how much tissue was treated and whether any additional periodontal procedure was performed.
Follow the medication and post-treatment instructions provided by your dentist. Do not place aspirin directly against the gums, since this can damage the tissue.
Gingivoplasty Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery varies by patient and by the extent of treatment. Initial recovery following removal or contouring of gum tissue is often measured in days, while complete tissue maturation can take longer. Cleveland Clinic reports that recovery after a gingivectomy commonly takes about one week, although healing experiences vary.
During the initial healing period, patients are commonly advised to:
- Choose softer foods and avoid chewing directly on the treated area
- Avoid very hot, spicy, sharp or crunchy foods
- Brush carefully and follow instructions for cleaning the surgical area
- Avoid smoking and vaping, which can interfere with healing
- Avoid pulling the lip repeatedly to inspect the gums
- Take prescribed or recommended medication as directed
- Attend any requested follow-up appointments
Some bleeding or oozing can occur during the first part of recovery. Contact the office promptly if bleeding does not stop, pain becomes progressively worse, swelling increases significantly, or you develop signs of infection.
How Long Do Gingivoplasty Results Last?
Gingivoplasty can provide a long-lasting change in the shape of the gumline when:
- The correct procedure is selected
- The underlying cause has been identified
- The gum and bone relationship is respected
- Periodontal health is maintained
- The patient follows proper home-care and professional-care recommendations
Some gum tissue can change over time because of inflammation, medications, tooth movement, restorative work or underlying anatomical factors. For that reason, no responsible dentist should promise that every gum-contouring result will remain completely unchanged for life.
Gingivoplasty for a Gummy Smile
A gummy smile occurs when a larger-than-desired amount of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth. Gingivoplasty may help when excess or uneven gum tissue is the primary reason the teeth appear short.
However, excessive gum display can also be related to:
- The position or size of the upper jaw
- A short or highly mobile upper lip
- Tooth eruption patterns
- Tooth wear
- The position of the supporting bone
- Naturally short teeth
A careful diagnosis is essential. Removing gum tissue without identifying the cause of the gummy smile can lead to an unsatisfactory or unstable result.
Gingivoplasty Before Crowns or Veneers
Gum contouring may be incorporated into cosmetic or restorative treatment when the gumline is uneven or when excess tissue affects the proportions of the planned restorations.
For patients receiving veneers or crowns, establishing an appropriate gumline before final restoration design can help create:
- More consistent tooth proportions
- Better symmetry from one side of the smile to the other
- More natural emergence of the restorations from the gumline
- A cleaner transition between the restoration and surrounding tissue
The gums may need time to heal and stabilize before final restorations are completed. The appropriate sequence and healing period depend on the procedure and location of treatment.
Why Choose Arguello Dentistry for Gingivoplasty?
Gingivoplasty is not simply a matter of making the gums “higher.” The treatment must consider periodontal health, tooth proportions, facial appearance and any current or planned dental restorations.
At Arguello Dentistry, treatment is planned around the entire smile—not just an isolated section of gum tissue. Our goal is to create a natural-looking result while protecting the health and stability of the teeth and gums.
We offer care at two convenient South Florida locations:
Arguello Dentistry in Margate, Florida
Our Margate dental office serves patients from Margate, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, North Lauderdale and nearby Broward County communities.
Arguello Dentistry by the Sea
Our Lauderdale-by-the-Sea dental office serves patients from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Sea Ranch Lakes and surrounding coastal communities.
Schedule a Gingivoplasty Consultation
An uneven or excessive gumline does not always require extensive treatment. In properly selected cases, conservative gum reshaping can make a noticeable difference in the balance and appearance of the smile.
Schedule an evaluation with Arguello Dentistry to learn whether gingivoplasty, gingivectomy, crown lengthening or another treatment is the most appropriate option for you.
Call our Margate or Lauderdale-by-the-Sea dental office or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gingivoplasty
What is gingivoplasty?
Gingivoplasty is a dental procedure that surgically reshapes gum tissue. It can be used to create a smoother gumline, improve symmetry, reduce the appearance of a gummy smile or refine the gums around restorations.
Is gingivoplasty cosmetic or medically necessary?
It can be either. Some procedures are performed primarily to improve the appearance of the smile. Others are used to improve access for restorative treatment, correct tissue contours or support periodontal health.
How long does gingivoplasty take?
Treatment time depends on how many teeth are involved and the complexity of the gum reshaping. A small area may be treated relatively quickly, while treatment involving several teeth requires more planning and procedure time.
Will I be awake during gingivoplasty?
Most gingivoplasty procedures are performed with local anesthetic, meaning you remain awake while the treatment area is numb.
Can gingivoplasty make my teeth look longer?
Yes. Removing or reshaping excess gum tissue can expose more of the visible tooth surface, making short-looking teeth appear longer and more proportional. This is only appropriate when enough healthy gum tissue remains and the underlying bone is in a suitable position.
Can gingivoplasty fix every gummy smile?
No. Gingivoplasty works best when excess or uneven gum tissue is the main cause. A gummy smile caused by lip movement, jaw position, tooth eruption or underlying bone anatomy may require a different or combined treatment.
Can gum tissue grow back?
Some tissue rebound or regrowth is possible, particularly when inflammation, medication-related enlargement or an untreated anatomical cause is present. Proper diagnosis and good oral hygiene help reduce the risk of unwanted tissue changes.
Is gingivoplasty covered by dental insurance?
Coverage depends on why the procedure is performed and the terms of the patient’s plan. Treatment performed only for cosmetic reasons is commonly excluded. When the procedure is necessary for periodontal or restorative treatment, partial coverage may be available. Our team can help you review your benefits, but insurance coverage is never guaranteed.
When can I return to work?
Many patients can return to non-strenuous activities quickly, but this depends on the extent of treatment and the patient’s comfort. Your dentist will provide instructions based on your procedure.
How do I know whether I need gingivoplasty or crown lengthening?
A dental examination is required. Gingivoplasty changes the gum contour, while crown lengthening may involve repositioning both gum tissue and supporting bone. Imaging and periodontal measurements may be needed to choose the correct procedure.