What Is Gum Contouring?

September 16, 2023

Are you wondering, "What is gum contouring?" Get the facts on how gum contouring works and the key benefits to consider here.

Your smile isn't just a superficial notion and it can have a significant impact on your overall self-confidence. In fact, there is much more going on behind the scenes of a smile than many people realize, like how it impacts mood, emotions, and relationships.

The appearance of your gums is a significant part of your smile, and having a gummy smile can make your self-confidence fall flat. It can also feel overwhelming to even consider addressing it, especially if you have dental anxiety. Procedures like gum contouring can improve your smile, making you shine with confidence. So what is gum contouring and what does it involve?

Read on to learn everything you need to know about gum contouring, its benefits, and where to find an experienced dentist in Arlington, TX.

What Is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring, also known as gingivoplasty, is a procedure typically done by a cosmetic dentist. Gum contouring involves reshaping the gumline by removing excess gum tissue around the teeth.

On the other hand, gum contouring can also involve restoring gum tissue around the teeth if you have receding gums.

Gum contouring benefits people who have a "gummy smile" which can make teeth look short or misshapen. In most cases, gum contouring improves the appearance of your smile. However, other people have this procedure to help with gum disease treatment since it can help address receding gums.

What Conditions Can Gum Contouring Treat?

Your dentist may recommend gum contouring if you have an uneven gum line or gum overgrowth due to wearing braces.

Your dentist may also suggest gum contouring after you've been through gum disease treatments like dental cleanings and antibiotics to improve long-term gum health.

What Causes Uneven Gums?

People with receding gums have difficulty with uneven-appearing gums. Receding gums occur when your gums pull back from your teeth, eventually exposing the tooth root surfaces.

Most of the time receding gums are due to periodontal disease (gum disease) that is no longer in the beginning stages. Gum disease begins when you get a buildup of plaque and bacteria around the gumline.

Early-stage gum disease is gingivitis, and if you catch it at this time, you can reverse the damage. However, if plaque and bacteria are not removed, more will form. Eventually, this leads to deep pockets of infection in the gums that form around your teeth.

Other causes of receding gums include:

Diabetes
Smoking
Hormonal changes
Hardened plaque (tartar) buildup
Aggressive brushing
Family history of gum disease

Finally, certain medications can cause dry mouth which increases the risk of receding gums.

What Are the Benefits of Gum Contouring?

The biggest benefit of gum contouring is its ability to reshape your gum line. Gum contouring gives you a straighter, more symmetrical smile by:

Making your teeth more proportional
Making small teeth larger
Eliminating extra gum tissue

These improvements not only improve your smile but also your confidence and outlook on life.

Since gum recession causes gum tissues to pull back, it exposes too much of your teeth, hastening tooth decay. Gum contouring can fix this, which can make your teeth healthier overall.

Who Is a Candidate for Gum Contouring?

You'll first need to meet with a dentist to get an evaluation of your teeth and gums. If you have problems with cavities or gum disease, you'll need a treatment plan for these issues before anything else.

Your dentist will also need to know more about your overall health, such as chronic conditions and prescription medications that could impact your results. For example, certain medications for high blood pressure, seizures, and immunosuppressants can cause gum overgrowth.

You'll also discuss your smile goals, focusing on what you'd like to improve. Your dentist will look at factors like your smile line and facial symmetry to ensure gum contouring is right for you.

What Does the Gum Contouring Procedure Involve?

First, your dentist will give you local anesthesia to numb the gum area. This ensures you don't feel any pain during the procedure.

Your dentist may also have other sedation options available for you. Additional sedation like nitrous oxide or conscious sedation can reduce anxiety and save your dentist time since they can work faster. You'll discuss sedation options before the procedure to allow you to arrange transportation.

For most types of gum contouring procedures, dentists utilize either a scalpel or a laser. Laser gum surgery involves a handheld laser that removes excess gum tissue and reshapes the remaining tissue.

If you have issues with gum recession, your dentist may need to add gum tissue to certain areas of your gums. This typically comes from another part of your mouth, like the palate. Your dentist will discuss this with you before the procedure.

You may also need sutures to hold the gum tissue in place. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour, but this depends on how much contouring you need.

What Does Recovery Involve?

The great thing about gum contouring is it doesn't involve much downtime. You'll only need to limit your activities for the first day or two, depending on how you're feeling.

The biggest part of the recovery process is healing, which can take between 1 to 2 weeks. Your gums may feel tender and sensitive after the procedure, so your dentist will recommend soft foods like soup and yogurt.

You may need an antibiotic mouth rinse and will need to follow up with your dentist within a week after the procedure.

See a Dentist Today About Gum Contouring

Now that you know the answer to the question "What is gum contouring?" you'll be much less nervous talking to a dentist about this option.

Your next step is to find an experienced dentist in Arlington, TX, like Heather E. Martinson, DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. In addition to gum contouring, we offer a variety of dentistry services including preventative care, crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, and cosmetic dentistry like veneers, implants, and teeth whitening.

We make your comfort our top priority and have sedation options like nitrous oxide, zen chairs, and other comfort amenities to ease any dental anxieties.

We look forward to helping you achieve a confident and healthy smile, so make sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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Dr. Heather E. Martinson

D.D.S

Dr. Martinson has been serving patients and improving smiles through her work for the past 25 years. She attended both Southern University in Tennessee and the University of Texas at Arlington before earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Southern California. She is a graduate of The Dawson Academy in Florida and the Schuster Center in Arizona, and has completed several cosmetic, implant and restorative continuing education courses. Dr. Martinson has also earned certification in the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. This allows her to provide Botox and dermal fillers to her dental patients.

The favorite part of Dr. Martinson’s job is being able to work closely with so many wonderful people and help them become healthier! And also help them to avoid heart attacks and strokes!

Dr. Martinson is married to Captain Myron Martinson (formerly a pilot with American Airlines). Together they have several 4-legged kiddos. When she is not busy at work, she enjoys bicycling, gardening, cooking, entertaining and traveling with family.

Dr. Martinson maintains active membership in the following professional organizations:

A man is getting his teeth examined by a dentist

What to Expect During Your First Dental Crown Appointment

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • June 17, 2025

Are you preparing for a dental crown appointment? Learn what to expect during the tooth crown procedure as you take the first step toward a renewed smile.

The Dental Implant Process Explained

By Heather E. Martinson, DDS • May 21, 2025

Undergoing a comprehensive surgical procedure, such as a dental implant, can be a big step. Still, studies like one by Tobias et al. (2025) report over a 97% success rate , even after five years. These show that it can offer significant long-term benefits with a reasonable guarantee of retention. So, if you are searching for a reliable solution to a dental issue, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, may be the one to choose for state-of-the-art implant surgery, but what does it entail? Below, our dental implants guide describes the dental implant process step-by-step to help you understand and feel more comfortable getting the smile you want. Explore each stage, from the initial consultation to attaching the crown. Then, discover what you might want to discuss with Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS, to ensure you get the desired results. Why Dental Implants are Our Best Fix for Missing Teeth Unlike crowns or fillings, dental implants are not a simple cap on an existing tooth . Nor are they intended to be temporary. Instead, they replace both the tooth's root and crown , preserving the jawbone and structure of the face by offering a complete prosthetic that the body should accept as its own. Titanium posts integrate with the bone and offer a very stable foundation for chewing. This is one of the reasons studies such as those by Kupka et al (2024) have found that dental implants often last for decades, with 80% continuing to last for over 20 years. With crowns, you will still need to be careful of what you bite into in case the prosthetic detaches from the tooth. However, implants can often restore the full force of your bite. For this reason, Dr. Heather Martinson, DDS , and her team prefer to use these prostheses, eliminating several difficulties one might encounter with other options. How Gaps Affect Function and Appearance We understand that it can sometimes be tempting to leave tooth gaps as they are due to the perceived hassle of installing a new implant. However, missing teeth can drastically impact the mouth beyond issues with appearance or speech patterns, as it can cause the jawbone itself to start "sagging" where the tooth no longer exists. Teeth may also begin to shift position, leading to bite issues. Early restoration via a professionally-implanted denture can prevent this loss and maintain the face's proportions. Perfect for maintaining a youthful visage. Why Implants Outperform Bridges and Dentures Bridges and dentures are critical parts of a high-quality dentistry offering . However, they do not tend to last as long as an implant due to how implants preserve the underlying bone. This fact may go a long way towards explaining why the NIDCR in the US has recently discussed a " fourfold increase " in the number of adults receiving dental implants over two decades. Still, that doesn't mean discounting these options. If you feel a bridge or denture may be best for you, you should discuss your options with our dental team . Discuss the pros and cons of each option. In some cases, implant-supported dentures are also available , allowing for a combination of both. Dental Implant Process Step-by-Step at Heather Martinson DDS Our implant procedure steps combine: Consultations 3D imaging Surgical planning Continual checks for precision Constant coordination with colleagues Using these, we can ensure that your results are accurate and efficient. Initial Consultation and 3D Scan The first step is always to take a detailed medical and dental history . Using this, we can determine if you have any risk factors, such as smoking habits, that we need to be aware of so we can help maintain your safety. Then, we will assess how your jaw aligns to ensure we do not interfere with this. Our advanced scanner can capture 3-dimensional images of every part of your mouth for precision-planning, including: Jawbones Sinuses Nerve canals Details of prior surgery We can even use this to preview the final outcome before surgery, allowing you to understand the most likely results and give a go-ahead from a position of knowledge. Precise Implant Placement Before the final crown "tooth" can be placed in the jaw, you will require surgery to install the implant itself. This implant is the structure that sits in your jawbone, maintaining the visible crown's position while preventing it from moving. This step involves local anesthesia or other forms of sedation to ensure your comfort. Then, the dentist will create a path for your implant to sit within your jaw. The implant is up to 5mm in diameter and up to 13mm in length, meaning it is robust enough to prevent damage due to torsion or other forces. After the placement, the dentist will use sutures and a protective cap to shield the site. During this healing phase, the implant undergoes "osseointegration," which is the growth of bone cells around the implant surface. This process takes up to six months to ensure it integrates with the body. Once the dentist is sure that your body has accepted the implant, they will reveal the site of the implant and perform a scan to ensure that an external lab can produce a perfect crown for the area, matching your prior teeth as closely as possible. After the final attachment, you can review the tooth , offering feedback such as colour adjustments or determining whether it needs minor alteration to match your bite. Long-Term Implant Care The Arlington, TX, dental care experts can offer advice and guidance on the best steps to ensure that the implant lasts as long as possible and remains comfortable. However, should you need anything else , their clinic will be available for you to follow up, so ask them for more details on how you need to schedule follow-up appointments to ensure you get the best results. Take the Next Step with One of the Best Dentists in Arlington After learning the dental implant process step-by-step , you should understand what it entails and be able to make better healthcare decisions. With over 25 years of experience in Arlington, TX, we can ensure your treatment focuses on improving your dental health and restoring your natural and healthy beauty using the latest techniques and advances. If you want to investigate the possibility of an implant, remember that you can always request a free consultation with Heather Martinson, DDS. Following that, you should be able to begin your journey to regain your full chewing ability and a confident smile.