Gum contouring or reshaping your gums can be usually achieved by these 2 procedures:
1. A simple Gingivectomy procedure (either with a laser, electro-surgery or scalpel)
2. Surgical Crown lengthening with trimming of bone and re-positioning of the gum line ( in more extensive, complex cases).
A gummy smile can also be corrected with the administration of Botulinum Toxin ( Botox, Xeomin, Dysport etc) to a hyperactive upper lip and other more invasive upper jaw surgeries to correct Vertical Maxillary Excess.
Sometimes a gummy smile can also be corrected by orthodontic treatment or a combination of all of the above. But for my answer, I will just focus on procedures 1 and 2 above. Your trusted dental surgeon has to be thorough in diagnosing the cause of your gummy smile, to have a tailored treatment plan that would work specifically in your case.
The possible side effects of procedures as described in points 1 and 2 above are ( in no particular order of significance):
1. Pain, swelling and bleeding ( as with any minor surgical procedure).
2. Sensitivity of teeth caused by exposed roots.
3. Poor healing caused by infections or trauma to the gums post surgery, leading to gum recession.
4. A rebound in the gum tissue resulting in a poor aesthetic result.
For your treatment to be successful, your trusted dental surgeon has to be skilled in the procedure and have a keen eye for aesthetics, balance and symmetry, so that your new gum line fits in harmony with your lips and the rest of your face.
A good dental surgeon might also show you a digital/virtual or physical mock up of the proposed new gumline, with software like Digital Smile Design or a physical diagnostic wax-up. This is all done as part of the treatment planning phase to give you a preview of what your new smile might look like..and also to manage your expectations on what might or might not be possible.
Depending on the skill, experience and training of the dental surgeon, fees may vary widely.
For Gingivectomy procedures, a typical fee could be about $250 per tooth onwards, depending on complexity.
For Surgical crown lengthening procedures, a typical fee could be $1500 onwards per arch depending on complexity.
I hope my answer helps you to get a better understanding of gum contouring procedures and i wish you all the best in finding a dental surgeon that you trust and have rapport with.
Kind Regards,
Dr Gerald Tan
