Gum Sculpting: Is It the Best Solution for Your Gummy Smile?

Gum sculpting, or gum contouring, is a procedure that reshapes your gums to give them a healthier look and reverse damage.

Gum sculpting isn’t usually medically necessary, though it is effective for improving the smile of those who have too much gum or receding gums.

For people who have a gummy smile, a dentist can remove some of the tissue to give their teeth and gums a more proportioned appearance.

Sometimes a person has a gummy smile because of genetics. Other times, it happens because of altered eruption of the teeth when adult teeth are growing in.

As the tooth grows out, the gumline extends farther than it’s supposed to and covers more of the tooth than it should. The outcome is the appearance of teeth that are too small with gums that are too large.

For those who have gum recession, a dentist can perform a gum graft for a better tooth-to-gum ratio.

Causes of gum recession include:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Brushing or flossing too hard
• Genetics
• Grinding or clenching your teeth
• Injury
• Misaligned teeth
• Smoking or chewing tobacco

If you have too much gum in some places and receding gums in other places, your dentist can do a combination of both. They can treat your gums tooth-by-tooth and give you a new gum line with a better shape.

Usually gum sculpting is cosmetic, but sometimes it’s done as part of a treatment plan for gum disease, as a last resort.

If you have a gummy smile, receded gums, or uneven gums, and you need a dentist in Milford, book an appointment for a consultation at Milford Family Dental today!