Cosmetic & Aligners
Gum Contouring in San Rafael, CA
Reshape your gumline for a balanced, confident smile.
When too much gum tissue makes teeth look short or uneven, gum contouring can restore beautiful proportion. At Dental Studio of Marin, we use precise, gentle techniques to sculpt your gumline and reveal more of your natural smile.
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Gum Contouring in San Rafael
A beautiful smile is about more than the teeth — the way your gums frame them matters just as much. When the gumline sits too low, teeth can appear short, stubby, or uneven, sometimes creating what’s often called a “gummy smile.” Gum contouring gently reshapes and evens that tissue to bring your teeth and gums into balance, creating a more harmonious, confident smile that looks entirely natural.
What Gum Contouring Can Address
This treatment corrects a variety of gum-related concerns, whether purely cosmetic or tied to your overall smile design.
- Gummy Smiles Reducing excess tissue reveals more of each tooth for better proportion.
- Uneven Gumlines We even out asymmetry so your smile looks balanced.
- Short-Looking Teeth Reshaping the gumline can make teeth appear longer and more prominent.
Comfortable and Precise
Modern gum contouring is far gentler than many people expect. We numb the area for your comfort and use precise instruments to carefully remove and reshape tissue, with results you can see right away. Because the work is so controlled, most patients experience only mild tenderness afterward that fades within a few days.
A Foundation for Other Treatments
Gum contouring is often a first step in a larger smile transformation. By perfecting the gumline before placing veneers or crowns, we ensure the final result looks proportional and polished. It’s also a beautiful finishing touch on its own.
Healing and Aftercare
Recovery from gum contouring is typically quick and straightforward. We’ll give you simple aftercare instructions — usually gentle brushing, soft foods for a day or two, and avoiding irritation to the area. Most patients return to their normal routine almost immediately and enjoy their refreshed smile right away.
Gum Contouring FAQ
- What is gum contouring?
- Gum contouring reshapes and evens the gumline to improve the proportion and appearance of your smile, often reducing a “gummy” look.
- Is gum contouring painful?
- We numb the area beforehand, so the procedure itself is comfortable. Most patients feel only mild tenderness for a few days afterward.
- Is the procedure permanent?
- Yes, the reshaping is generally permanent, since the removed tissue does not grow back in the same way.
- How long does recovery take?
- Most people recover within a few days, following simple aftercare like gentle brushing and soft foods for a short time.
- Will gum contouring change how I chew or speak?
- No. Contouring affects only the appearance of the gumline and does not change how your teeth function.
- Can gum contouring be combined with other treatments?
- Yes. It’s often paired with veneers or crowns as part of a full smile makeover for a balanced final result.
- Who is a good candidate for gum contouring?
- Patients with excess or uneven gum tissue and healthy gums are usually good candidates. We’ll confirm during a consultation.
- How do I schedule a consultation?
- Contact our San Rafael office and we’ll evaluate your smile and discuss whether gum contouring is right for you.
A MORE CONSIDERED APPROACH
Dr. Mehdi Salek, DDS
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