Gum recontouring gently reshapes the gumline to reveal more of your teeth, creating a more balanced, proportionate smile.
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If your smile shows more gum than you'd like, you're not imagining it — and you're certainly not alone.
When you smile, the balance between teeth and gums is what makes it feel "right." A gummy smile simply means more gum shows than you'd prefer — drawing attention away from your teeth and sometimes making them appear shorter than they actually are.
It's more common than you might think — roughly one in seven women and one in fourteen men experience it. The cause is usually one of the following:
During consultation, we'll identify what's contributing to your gummy smile — because the right approach depends on the cause.
The right treatment depends on what's causing your gummy smile. During consultation, we'll assess whether it's the gum tissue, lip movement, jaw position, or a combination — and recommend the least invasive approach that addresses the cause.
For gummy smiles caused by excess gum tissue or teeth that appear short, we use laser recontouring to gently reshape the gumline — revealing more of your teeth.
Because we use laser rather than traditional surgical methods, the procedure is:
Results are long-lasting, though in some cases gum tissue may gradually regrow over time.
If your gummy smile is caused by an upper lip that lifts higher than usual when you smile, Botox can help. It relaxes the muscles responsible, creating a more balanced appearance without any surgical intervention.
The effect typically lasts three to four months, with repeat treatments needed to maintain results.
In rare cases where the gummy smile is caused by jaw position, orthognathic (jaw) surgery may be considered. This is a more involved procedure — often combined with orthodontics — and is typically only recommended when simpler approaches aren't suitable.
We'll always explore less invasive options first.
Note: For your broad understanding only — steps differ between patients. After consultation, your dentist will provide a detailed, customised treatment plan.
We start by understanding your concerns and examining what's causing your gummy smile — whether it's the gum tissue, how your lip moves, or jaw position.
From there, we'll explain your options, show you what to expect (using photos or digital previews where helpful), and answer any questions. We only proceed when you're completely comfortable.
For gum recontouring, we use laser to gently reshape the gumline under local anaesthesia. The procedure typically takes 40–60 minutes.
For Botox, treatment is even quicker — a few small injections, usually completed in under 15 minutes.
Either way, you'll leave the clinic the same day.
Healing is straightforward. You may experience mild sensitivity or swelling for a few days — we'll give you simple care instructions (nothing complicated).
We'll see you again in one to two weeks to check healing and make any minor adjustments if needed.
Most patients are surprised how comfortable it is. We use local anaesthesia, so you won't feel pain during the procedure — just some pressure.
Afterwards, mild sensitivity for a few days is normal, but most people manage fine without strong painkillers.
Typically 40–60 minutes, completed in a single visit. You'll walk out the same day with your new gumline already visible.
Straightforward. You may have mild swelling or sensitivity for a few days. We'll give you simple aftercare instructions — nothing that should disrupt your routine significantly.
Results from gum recontouring are long-lasting — for most patients, they're effectively permanent. In some cases, gum tissue may gradually regrow over time, but this is uncommon.
For Botox, the effect lasts around three to four months, so repeat treatments are needed to maintain results.
Risks are minimal. Temporary sensitivity is common; gum tissue regrowth is possible but uncommon. We'll discuss your specific situation during consultation.
It depends on what's causing your gummy smile.
During consultation, we'll examine whether it's the gum tissue, lip movement, jaw position, or a combination — and recommend the most suitable approach.
Sometimes Botox alone is enough; sometimes recontouring is the better option; occasionally both work together.
Gum recontouring is a small procedure — but the difference between "fine" and "just right" comes down to millimetres. It's the kind of work where aesthetic judgement matters as much as technical skill.
Connect with our Concierge Manager for answers to your questions — whether it's treatment options, pricing, or booking an appointment.