Love this place, very profesional staff
Gum contouring in Minneola, FL
Gum contouring reshapes the gum line so more of your teeth show and the smile looks even. At Neola Dental in Minneola we do it with a laser or a scalpel, depending on your gums. The area is numbed, it happens in our office, and an exam always comes first.
Cosmetic DentistryMinneola, FLSe habla español
Exam first, then a plan
Laser or scalpel
Gum contouring
Treatment type
Some smiles show a wide band of gum above the top teeth. Others have a gum edge that sits higher on one tooth than on the next. Both can often be reshaped, once we know why the gum sits where it does.
What is gum contouring, and who is it for?
Gum contouring, also called gum reshaping, trims and sculpts extra gum tissue so the gum line frames your teeth evenly. People ask about it when a smile looks gummy, when teeth look short but are not, or when one gum edge sits lower than its neighbor.
A gummy smile has more than one cause. Sometimes the gum grew down over the tooth. Other times the upper lip lifts high, the teeth sit in a certain position, or the jaw bone plays a part. Contouring helps when the gum itself is the main reason, which is why we look before we cut. Our guide to gummy smiles walks through the four causes.
What happens at a gum contouring visit?
We start with the exam, an X-ray and a talk about what you want to change. On the day of treatment:
- We numb the gum with local anesthetic and wait until the area is fully numb. You feel pressure, nothing sharp.
- The dentist marks the new gum line so both sides of your smile match, and often shows you the mark in a mirror first.
- The extra tissue is trimmed and the edge is sculpted, with a laser or a scalpel depending on the case.
- We go over home care with you and book a follow up to check the healing.
A laser seals small blood vessels as it works and only cuts soft tissue. A scalpel gives very fine control and suits cases that need a more detailed contour. Both can give a natural result.
What is recovery like after gum contouring?
Expect the gum to feel tender and a little swollen, a bit like a sunburn inside the mouth. That usually eases over the first days. Soft, cool foods help, and so does keeping the area clean the way we show you. Smoking slows gum healing.
Everyone heals at a different pace, so we do not promise a date for being back to normal. The gum keeps maturing for several weeks. Call us if pain grows instead of easing, if bleeding does not stop, or if swelling spreads. Our full guide covers recovery in more detail.
Is gum contouring cosmetic or functional?
Most of the time it is cosmetic. You like your teeth and want more of them to show. Insurance plans often treat cosmetic work differently from care that is medically needed, so we check your benefits with you before you decide.
Sometimes it is functional. Gum can sit over a tooth that needs a filling or a crown, or make a tooth hard to keep clean. Reshaping it gives the dentist a clear view and a healthy edge to work with. Then the same procedure serves your health first and your smile second.
Your exam and X-ray show which case you are in. If gum reshaping is not the right fix for your smile, we say so and describe the other options.
How is gum contouring different from crown lengthening?
The two get mixed up because they overlap. Gum contouring trims gum tissue to change how the smile looks. Crown lengthening can also reshape the bone around the tooth, and it is most often done to uncover enough healthy tooth for a crown or a repair.
If your goal is a more balanced smile, contouring is usually the question to ask. If a tooth is broken below the gum line, or a crown has too little tooth to hold on to, crown lengthening is the likelier answer. If your case needs more advanced gum or bone work than we do in the office, we tell you at the exam and explain the options, which can include a gum specialist.
Can I combine gum contouring with veneers or whitening?
Yes, and the order matters. Gum usually goes first so it can heal. If the gum covers part of a tooth that is also short or worn, contouring can set the gum line and porcelain veneers can set the tooth shape, designed around the final line.
Whitening products can irritate fresh gum, so teeth whitening comes after the tissue settles. If you want to plan all of it together, ask about a smile makeover. Your dentist sets the sequence for your mouth.
How much does gum contouring cost in Minneola?
We do not post a fixed price, because the same procedure covers very different cases. The cost moves with how many teeth are involved, whether laser or scalpel fits, whether bone needs attention, and how your plan sees the work. We give you a number after the exam, not before.
We work with most PPO plans and most Medicare Advantage plans that include dental coverage. Call us to confirm yours. You can also see how our membership plans work and what payment options we offer.
Common questions
A few more questions
Does gum contouring hurt?
You should not feel pain during the procedure, because the gum is numbed first. Afterward the area feels tender and a little swollen.
Will the gum grow back?
When contouring suits the case, the trimmed gum generally stays where it was placed. The exception is a gummy smile caused by bone or tooth position, which is why the exam and X-ray come first. The <a href="/blog/gum-contouring-gummy-smile-minneola-fl">guide</a> explains the difference.
Can I have gum contouring if I have gum disease?
Gum disease gets treated first. Trimming swollen tissue while the cause remains does not last, so we discuss reshaping once the gum is healthy.
Is gum contouring right for every gummy smile?
No. Short teeth, an active lip or the position of the jaw can be the main cause, and contouring does not fix those. If so, we tell you and describe the options.
testimonials
What our patients say
5.0
Great experience from everyone that works there. Very happy with their service. Highly recommended
First time at this place was super clean and so detailed with designs. Everyone at Front desk is super sweet, genuinely nice, they really care about what the patient wants. After that I came back for a root canal with Dr. Josaida Contreras, she is absolutely the best, hands down the best dentist I found! She is super cool and makes the process so easy explains everything she's doing. My root canal and fillings she's done look perfect. Her work is phenomenal. The dental assistant Nancy is also the best she's super sweet and so relatable, she always has a bright smile and welcomes me with same energy. I have never had such a vibrant dental assistant! This place is worth it I really enjoy my experience here. I had bad experience with other places in Clermont and I'm so happy to say I found my place!
Excellent service, muy professional.. sinceros en las evaluaciones.. me siento super comfortable. Gracias Dios bendiga el equipo.
Outstanding experience at Neola Dental. Friendly staff, modern and clean office, and truly top-tier care. Everything was explained clearly, and I never felt rushed or uncomfortable. This is a dental practice that genuinely cares about its patients. Highly recommend to anyone looking for excellent dental care.
Omgoodness I absolutely LOVE this dental office! I have a bit of dental anxiety, and the dentist and staff are soo caring and attentive, they all completely alleviated my nerves and made me feel sooo at ease! Upon entering the office, you are immediately greeted with friendly salutations, an aromatic fragrance, great refreshments, and beautiful decor. I honestly cannot say enough about the sweet amazing, knowledgeable, patient staff at Neola Dental! Dr Contreras is just the best, she knows her stuff, her knowledge and experience is quite apparent, but she also has the best bed side manner I've ever seen in a medical office, and always has your best interests in mind. Important to note, my experiences have been absolutely pain free, my dental fears are far gone!
I moved and was looking for a new dentist and came across Neola Dental. So glad I found them, they are effecient, caring and knowledgable. Dr Contreras explained everything to me so I could correct my bite and prevent further damage that I was not aware of. The staff was courteous, friendly and competent. Would highly recommend if you are looking for an excellent dentist.
I had such an amazing experience. The office is super clean and modern. The service is perfect. They have this menu of things that will help you feel relax for your visit like hand moisturizing gloves. The dentist and her staff truly care about their clients.
Love this office professional and friendly staff the dentist is awesome
Book a gum evaluation
Not sure whether contouring is right for your smile? Come in for a gum evaluation. We look at your gum line, explain what we see and what your options are. We care for patients in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
825 US-27 #104, Minneola, FL 34715 · Se habla español