What Is Gum Contouring and What Does It Correct?
Gum contouring — also called gum reshaping, gingivoplasty, or cosmetic crown lengthening — removes and reshapes excess gum tissue to change the proportion between gum and tooth in the smile zone. When the ratio is off — due to excess gum tissue, uneven eruption, or a high lip line — a smile can look gummy, or teeth can look short and square despite healthy tooth length beneath the gumline.
By precisely removing excess tissue to reveal more of the tooth surface, gum contouring creates balanced tooth-to-gum proportions. It can often be completed in a single appointment under local anesthesia.
Is Gum Contouring right for you? Signs, symptoms & candidacy.
Who needs gum contouring
- A gummy smile — showing significant gum above the teeth
- An uneven gumline — one side higher or lower than the other
- Teeth that look short or square despite healthy length beneath the gum
- Smile makeover patients planning veneers (contouring is done first)
- Delayed passive eruption, where the gum never fully receded
Gum contouring vs. crown lengthening
- Cosmetic gum contouring addresses only the soft tissue
- Crown lengthening may also reshape underlying bone for greater tooth exposure
- Functional crown lengthening (restorative) may have partial insurance coverage
- Your Boca dentist assesses which approach is appropriate at your free consultation
The Gum Contouring Process
Gum contouring is performed under local anesthesia and is typically completed in one appointment.
Free Consultation & Preview
Your Boca dentist assesses your gumline and smile, marks the proposed new gumline using photographs or digital tools, and previews the expected result so your feedback shapes the design.
Local Anesthesia
The gum area to be contoured is fully numbed for a comfortable procedure.
Tissue Reshaping
Excess gum tissue is precisely removed and reshaped to the planned gumline.
Healing Support
The treated area is cared for and you receive post-procedure instructions.
Post-Procedure Care
A soft diet for 1–3 days and mild soreness managed with over-the-counter pain relief; most patients return to normal activities within 24–48 hours.
Review
Your final gumline is evaluated at follow-up, and any planned veneer or cosmetic work proceeds once healing is confirmed.
Typically a single appointment; allow 2–4 weeks of healing before veneer impressions
Precise gumline reshaping under local anesthesia
Why Choose Boca for Gum Contouring
Balanced Proportions
Reveals more of your teeth for natural tooth-to-gum proportions.
Single Appointment
Most cosmetic contouring is completed in one visit under local anesthesia.
Sequenced With Makeovers
Coordinated before veneer and bonding cases so your gumline is set first.
Free Consultations
A gumline assessment and preview before you commit.
Las Vegas Locations
Cosmetic gum contouring at Boca's Las Vegas valley locations.
Why Las Vegas Patients Choose Boca Dental & Braces for Gum Contouring
- Precise, planned gumline design with a preview
- Permanent results from a single appointment in most cases
- Correctly sequenced before veneers in smile makeovers
- Free cosmetic consultations
- Available at Boca's Las Vegas valley locations
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Contouring in Las Vegas
Making Gum Contouring Affordable
At Boca Dental & Braces, cost should never stand between you and the care you need. We accept Nevada Medicaid and many major dental plans, verify your benefits at no charge, and offer flexible payment options — so you can move forward with confidence.
Find Gum Contouring Near You — 9 Boca Dental & Braces Locations Across Las Vegas
Boca Dental & Braces performs cosmetic gum contouring at its Las Vegas valley locations — serving Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Enterprise, Spring Valley, and Clark County. Free consultations for gummy smile correction and smile makeover planning.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Las Vegas, NV 89107
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Las Vegas, NV 89108
Las Vegas, NV 89123
Book Your Gum Contouring Appointment
Choose your nearest Boca location and we'll confirm within one business hour. Same-day and next-day appointments available.