Gummy Smile Treatment
Rediscover Your Smile’s Natural Balance
If you feel your teeth appear too short or your smile shows more gum than you’d like, you’re not alone—and there are solutions. At Shoreline Periodontics, we specialize in precise, minimally invasive procedures that restore harmony to your smile by addressing what’s commonly known as a “gummy smile.”
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile refers to the excessive display of gum tissue when smiling. While there’s no strict definition, many patients feel self-conscious when more than 3–4 millimeters of gum is visible above the teeth. This can make teeth appear smaller than they truly are and shift the focus away from your natural, confident smile.
Common Causes of Gummy Smiles
Several factors may contribute to a gummy smile, including:
Excess gum tissue covering the tooth surface
Short or worn teeth that appear smaller
Hyperactive upper lip that lifts higher than normal when smiling
Abnormal jaw development, such as vertical maxillary excess
Understanding the underlying cause is key to selecting the right treatment plan, which is why every patient begins with a comprehensive consultation.
Advanced Treatment Options
Our board-certified periodontists offer two primary, highly effective treatments for correcting gummy smiles: laser gum contouring and esthetic crown lengthening.
Laser Gum Contouring
This gentle, non-surgical procedure uses advanced laser technology to reshape and remove excess gum tissue. It provides immediate results with little to no downtime and minimal discomfort.
- Precision reshaping
- Faster healing and less bleeding
- No stitches required
- Ideal for mild to moderate cases
Esthetic Crown Lengthening
For more complex cases, esthetic crown lengthening involves adjusting both the gum tissue and underlying bone to expose more of your natural tooth. This surgical approach is performed with incredible precision to ensure symmetry and lasting results.
- Ideal for moderate to severe gum overgrowth
- Performed under local anesthesia
- Can also prepare teeth for cosmetic or restorative dental work
Understanding the underlying cause is key to selecting the right treatment plan, which is why every patient begins with a comprehensive consultation.
Before & After Gallery
Your smile tells your story. Here are just a few transformations our patients have experienced through gummy smile treatment at Shoreline Periodontics.