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Gummy Smile Correction
A gummy smile shows a lot of gum above the top teeth. We find the cause first, then decide whether a laser, a specialist procedure or orthodontics is the right fix.
A gummy smile means that a wide band of gum shows when you smile. It is common and harmless. Some people are happy with it, and some feel it makes their teeth look short.
Not every gummy smile has the same cause, and the cause decides the treatment. At our Malad West clinic, our dentists plan the smile and Dr. Aanchal Sahni, our gum specialist, takes part when the gum or bone needs a closer look.
The first job is a clear diagnosis. A treatment that fixes the wrong cause will not change the smile, so we measure before we cut.
When gummy smile correction can help
- More than about 3 mm of gum shows when you smile broadly
- Your front teeth look short or square compared with the gum around them
- The gum line is uneven from one side to the other
- You hold your lip down in photographs
- Your upper lip rises high when you smile
- Gum looks thick or swollen around the front teeth
Your options
Laser gum contouring
A dental laser removes the extra gum and reshapes the line. It is used when the gum covers too much of a normal tooth. Bleeding is usually small and stitches are often not needed.
Crown lengthening
When bone sits too close to the tooth edge, a little bone is also reshaped so the gum stays at its new height. This is a planned procedure, usually done with our gum specialist. It is the next step up from simple contouring.
Orthodontic or lip-based plan
If the upper jaw sits low or the lip lifts too high, gum reshaping alone will not hold. Braces or aligners, or a jaw or lip procedure, may be needed instead. We explain what fits your face.
What happens, step by step
- 1
Assessment and smile mapping
We photograph your smile at rest and at full smile, measure the tooth and gum, and take an X-ray. This shows whether bone is close to the gum edge. We mark the new gum line and show it to you before treatment.
- 2
The laser procedure
The gum is numbed with local anaesthesia, then the laser trims along the marked line. Most visits take under an hour. You feel pressure and may hear the machine, but should not feel the cutting.
- 3
Review and finishing work
We check healing after about a week. If the teeth still look short, we may refine their shape with laminates once the gum has settled.
Want the detail?
Laser Gum Treatment: What It Treats and Why →
From our case studies
All case studies →
Correcting a gummy smile
Laser crown lengthening and 6 E-max laminates on the front teeth
A three-step makeover for a patient from the UK
Full mouth bleaching, laser gum correction, and 6 E-max laminates on the front teeth
Real cases from our clinic, shared with each patient's consent. Results differ from person to person.
After treatment
- Eat soft, cool foods for the first day or two, and avoid spicy or crunchy food.
- Brush gently around the area, and rinse with the mouthwash we advise instead of scrubbing.
- Do not pull your lip to look at the area. It can disturb the healing gum.
- Take pain relief only as we advise. Mild soreness for a few days is usual.
- Come back for the follow-up so we can check the gum height.
When we suggest something else
Laser contouring does not suit every gummy smile. If the upper lip rises very high, or the upper jaw sits too low, trimming gum can leave the teeth looking too long or the gum uneven. These cases are better handled with orthodontic treatment or a jaw-related plan, and we will say so plainly.
If your teeth are short from wear, the answer may be to lengthen them with laminates instead. One patient came to us showing far more gum than tooth. We used a laser to remove a little gum along the front teeth (crown lengthening), then placed six E-max laminates to refine the shape. Another patient from the UK had her gum line levelled with a laser as one step of a three-stage makeover.
Cost
What changes the cost
- How much gum has to be reshaped, and across how many teeth
- Whether bone also needs reshaping
- Whether laminates or crowns are planned afterwards
- How many follow-up visits are needed
- Whether orthodontic treatment is part of the plan
Visit us for a detailed quote. We examine your teeth and give you a written estimate before any treatment starts.
Who treats you
- Dr. (Lt.Col) Suresh Isawe, Founder & Senior Surgeon (BDS (Mumbai, 1981), PGDPC, MIAO (USA))
- Dr. Aanchal Sahni, Periodontology & Oral Implantology (MDS (PGI Rohtak), BDS (ESIC New Delhi))
Questions patients ask
Does gummy smile correction hurt?
The gum is numbed first, so you feel pressure rather than pain. Soreness for a few days afterward is usual and eases with simple care.
Does laser gum contouring last?
The gum does not usually grow back to the old height once it has healed and the bone is in the right place. Sometimes the gum drifts down again, and we check this at follow-up. We do not promise a fixed result.
How long does it take to heal?
The surface usually heals over 1 to 2 weeks. The final gum shape may keep settling for a few weeks. We review it before deciding on any shaping of the teeth.
Can a gummy smile be fixed without surgery?
Sometimes. If the problem is short teeth, laminates can lengthen them. If it is the position of the jaw or lip, orthodontics may help. A laser is still a surgical procedure.
Is a laser better than a scalpel?
It is another tool. In many cases laser gives less bleeding and needs fewer stitches. For bone work or deeper changes, the procedure may need traditional instruments.
Who will treat me?
Our dentists plan the smile design. Our gum specialist, who holds an MDS in periodontology, advises on cases where the gum or bone needs detailed assessment.
Typical Duration
Laser contouring is usually one visit of under an hour; healing takes about 1 to 2 weeks
Visit Us in Malad West
A-102, Marve Link Appt., 1st Floor, Marve Road, Mith Chowky, Malad (W), Mumbai 400064
- Monday – Saturday: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed