Gum Contouring

You won’t need much. Most people are back to their normal routine within a day or two. It’s common to have some mild swelling and tenderness at first, and perhaps a little sensitivity where the gums have been reshaped, all of which usually settles quickly and responds well to ordinary painkillers.

For the first few days, it helps to stick to softer foods, avoid anything very hot or spicy, and be gentle around the treated area when you brush.

The gums usually take a couple of weeks to heal fully underneath, even though they’ll look neat almost straight away. We’ll give you clear aftercare advice to follow at home, and you can always call us if anything doesn’t feel right.

Yes. Gum contouring is a well-established, minor procedure and is considered very safe when it’s carried out by a suitably trained and experienced clinician. Here it’s done by our gum specialist, who plans each case carefully around your individual mouth.

As with any procedure involving the gums, there are small risks to be aware of, mainly some bleeding, temporary sensitivity, or, rarely, infection during healing. These are uncommon, usually easy to manage, and good aftercare keeps the risk low. Occasionally, the gums heal a little unevenly and need a minor adjustment, which is straightforward to put right.

The procedure itself shouldn’t hurt. We numb the area thoroughly with local anaesthetic first, so you won’t feel pain while the gums are reshaped, and our Enjoyable Dentistry Technique™ is there to keep you calm and comfortable throughout. Many of the patients we treat came to us feeling anxious about dental work, so putting you at ease is something we’re used to.

Most gum contouring appointments take somewhere between one and two hours, and often less if only a few teeth are being reshaped. How long yours takes depends on how much of the gum line is being adjusted and whether a laser or scalpel is used.

In most cases the treatment is completed in a single visit, and you’ll leave with your reshaped gum line the same day. Beforehand, you’ll have a separate consultation so we can assess your gums, talk through your options and plan exactly what’s needed.

Your smile should look more balanced and even, with less gum on show and more of your natural teeth visible. Teeth that looked short or stubby often appear longer and better proportioned once the excess gum is removed, and an uneven gum line looks tidier and more symmetrical.

You’ll see the change straight away, though the final result settles over the following couple of weeks as any minor swelling fades and the gums heal. We shape the gum line to look natural rather than overdone, in proportion with your teeth and the rest of your smile.

With proper care, regular dental check-ups, and good oral hygiene practices, the results of gum contouring can last for many years. However, it is important to note that gum tissue can continue to change over time, so periodic touch-ups may be necessary to maintain the desired results.