Cosmetic dentistry in Doral, Miami
Gummy smile surgery in Miami, more tooth, less gum
Gummy smile surgery removes and reshapes extra gum tissue so more of each tooth shows when you smile. It suits people whose teeth look short because the gums cover too much of them. Before anything is cut, we work out why your gums show, because the cause decides the treatment.
- Anesthesia
- Local
- Chair time
- 1 to 2 hours
- Gums heal in
- About a week
What gummy smile surgery is
A smile is usually called gummy when more than about 2 mm of gum shows above the upper front teeth at a full smile. There is more than one reason it happens. The gum may cover too much of each tooth, so the teeth look short. The upper lip may rise higher than average, or be short. The upper jaw may have grown longer than usual, or the front teeth may sit lower than they should.
Gummy smile surgery, also called gum contouring or gingivectomy, treats the first of those causes. The dentist marks a new gum line, removes the extra tissue with a scalpel or a laser, and sometimes takes off a very small amount of bone so the gum does not grow back. This is the procedure we perform at Miami Perfect Smile.
When the lip or the jaw is the cause, removing gum will not fix it. Those cases need a different treatment, and the table further down shows which one matches which cause.
- Extra gum. Gum tissue covers part of each tooth, so more gum shows when you smile.
- Teeth that look short. The teeth are a normal length; the gum hides part of them.
- New gum line. Gum contouring removes the extra tissue and reshapes the edge into an even, scalloped line.
- More visible tooth. More of each tooth shows, so the teeth look longer and better proportioned.
Who gum contouring is for
It works when the gum itself is the reason too much shows.
- Your teeth look short or square. The gum covers part of each tooth, and removing that tissue shows the tooth's real length.
- Your gum line is uneven. Some teeth show more gum than others, and contouring evens the line out.
- Your gums grew over your teeth during braces. Gum overgrowth after orthodontic treatment can be trimmed back.
- You are planning veneers or a smile design. Setting the gum line first gives the new teeth the right proportions.
- Your gums are otherwise healthy. Cavities and gum disease have to be treated before contouring.
When we suggest something else. If your upper lip rises too high, lip repositioning or Botox addresses the lip instead of the gum. If the upper jaw is too long, the fix is jaw surgery planned with an orthodontist. If your teeth sit too low, orthodontics may be the answer. We explain which of these applies to you and who provides it.
How gum contouring works, step by step
The contouring itself takes one appointment; the gums take a week to heal.
-
Consultation
We look at how much gum shows, how your lip moves when you smile, the length of your teeth and the bone around them on X-rays. Any cavities or gum disease are treated first.
First visit
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Marking the new gum line
Before any tissue is removed, the new gum line is marked on each tooth so you can see where it will sit.
Start of the procedure
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Contouring
Your gums are numbed with local anesthesia. The extra tissue is removed with a scalpel or a laser, a little bone is reshaped if needed, and small stitches may be placed. It usually takes one to two hours.
Same visit
-
Healing and review
Most people are back at work in a day or two, and the gums heal in about a week. The final shape settles over eight to twelve weeks, when we check the result.
1 week to 3 months
What gummy smile surgery costs in Miami
We price gum contouring after the exam, once we know how many teeth are involved and whether bone needs reshaping. The factors listed here are what change the number.
Insurance rarely pays for gum work done for looks alone. Gum surgery done to treat gum disease is a different case, and part of it may be covered. We check your plan with you, and you can spread the cost through CareCredit or Alphaeon Credit.
- How many teeth. A few front teeth or the whole visible smile.
- Gum only, or gum and bone. Reshaping bone, as in crown lengthening, is more involved.
- Other treatment alongside. Veneers, whitening or orthodontics in the same plan.
- Sedation. If you choose it on top of local anesthesia.
Priced at your consultation. Financing is available through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit.
- Financing available
- Insurance accepted for covered care
Which gummy smile treatment fits which cause
Each treatment corrects one cause. Many people need only one; some need two.
| What it corrects | What it involves | How long it lasts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gum contouring (gingivectomy) | Extra gum covering the teeth | Minor gum surgery under local anesthesia | Usually permanent; the gum rarely grows back |
| Crown lengthening | Gum and bone covering short teeth | Gum surgery that also reshapes the bone under the gum | Surgical results held at 12 months in studies |
| Lip repositioning | An upper lip that rises too high | Surgery inside the lip that limits how far it lifts | Part of the effect can relapse, mostly in the first months |
| Botox | Overactive muscles that lift the lip, in milder cases | Injections, no surgery | About 3 to 6 months, then it has to be repeated |
| Orthodontics | Front teeth that sit too low | Braces or aligners, sometimes with small anchoring screws | As long as the teeth hold their new position |
| Jaw surgery | An upper jaw that grew too long | Hospital surgery by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon | Corrects the jaw itself |
What we do here. At Miami Perfect Smile we perform gum contouring. For the other treatments, we tell you at the consultation whether your case needs one and who provides it.
Recovery and aftercare
- The first days. Mild soreness is normal and usually eases with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. A cold compress on the outside of the jaw helps with swelling.
- Soft food for a week. Eggs, yogurt, pasta, cooked vegetables and smoothies. Skip hard, crunchy and spicy food for about a week.
- Clean gently. Brush the treated area softly, rinse with the antibacterial mouthwash we recommend, and keep brushing and flossing the rest of your teeth as usual.
- Take it easy. You can usually go back to work in a day or two. Avoid exercise and heavy lifting for the first five days.
- Leave the area alone. Don't touch the gums with your tongue or fingers while they heal.
- Call us if you need to. Pain that medication does not relieve, bleeding that won't stop, a fever above 103°F or pus at the site needs attention: call 786 981 0655.
What patients ask before deciding
How long does it take to recover from gummy smile surgery?
For gum contouring, the gums heal in about a week, and most people are back at work or school in a day or two. The final shape of the gum line can take eight to twelve weeks to settle.
Is gum reduction painful?
You should not feel anything during the procedure, because your gums are numbed with local anesthesia. Afterward, mild soreness is normal and usually eases with over-the-counter pain relievers. Severe pain is not expected; if you have it, call us.
How much does it cost to fix a gummy smile?
It depends on the cause and the treatment. Gum contouring on a few teeth costs less than contouring the whole smile or reshaping bone as well. We give you a price after the exam, and financing is available through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit.
Does insurance cover gum reduction?
Usually not when the reason is cosmetic. When gum tissue is removed to treat gum disease or overgrowth, part of the cost may be covered. We accept insurance for whatever your plan covers and can check your benefits with you before you book.
Are the results of gum contouring permanent?
Usually, yes. In rare cases the gum grows back, most often when too little bone was reshaped, which is why a small amount of bone is sometimes removed during the procedure. Good brushing and regular cleanings help keep the gum line where it was set.
Can you fix a gummy smile without surgery?
Sometimes. If an overactive lip is the cause, Botox injections can lower the lip when you smile. Studies show the effect lasts about three to six months and works best when no more than about 4 mm of gum shows. If tooth position is the cause, orthodontics can help. Extra gum tissue itself can only be removed surgically.
Can gum contouring be combined with veneers?
Yes, and it often is. Setting the gum line first gives the veneers the right length and proportions, so we plan the two together.
Related treatments
Your new smile starts with one visit.
Tell us what you would like to change and one of our doctors replies within 24 hours on working days.
- Phone
- 786 981 0655
- Emergencies
- 305 204 9231
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM. Saturday and Sunday closed.
Online consultation
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