Yes, a gummy smile can be fixed, and in many cases it takes a single short visit. The most common fix is gum contouring with a dental laser, which removes a thin band of extra gum tissue so more of each tooth shows. A gummy smile is common and usually cosmetic, but gums that suddenly look puffy or overgrown can signal inflammation, so it’s worth having a dentist confirm the cause before choosing laser dentistry or any other treatment.
The right fix depends on why the gums show. Sometimes the teeth are a normal size and simply covered by too much gum. Other times the teeth are short or worn, the upper lip lifts higher than average, or the upper jaw is longer than usual. A proper smile design assessment sorts that out first. If bone needs reshaping as well as gum, that’s a minor procedure handled through our gentle oral surgery service.
Healthy gums come first, always. Puffy or bleeding gums can look like a gummy smile and shrink back once inflammation settles with preventive care and a thorough cleaning. And if your teeth are short or worn after contouring, porcelain veneers made with our CEREC single-visit system can lengthen them in one appointment.
At Columbus Dental Centre, we’ve been helping Woodbridge and Vaughan patients with cosmetic and family dentistry for over 26 years. This guide covers what causes a gummy smile, every treatment option, and what recovery actually feels like.
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile, or excessive gingival display, is when a lot of upper gum shows above the teeth during a full smile. Most dentists use about 3 to 4 millimetres of visible gum as the point where people start to notice it.
It’s a matter of proportion. Your teeth, gums, lips and jaw all play a part. That’s also why there’s no single treatment that fits everyone.
How common is it?
Very common. Studies estimate that somewhere around 1 in 10 adults has a noticeable gummy smile, and it shows up more often in women. Many people only start to notice it in photos.
What causes a gummy smile?
There are 6 main causes, and some people have more than one.
- Altered passive eruption. As adult teeth come in, the gums normally move up to expose the full crown. In some people the gums stop early and keep covering part of the tooth. This is one of the most common causes.
- Short or worn teeth. Grinding, acid erosion or genetics can leave teeth short, so gum looks more prominent by comparison.
- Hypermobile upper lip. The lip muscles lift higher than average when you smile, revealing more gum.
- Short upper lip. A naturally short lip covers less of the gum, even at rest.
- Vertical maxillary excess. The upper jaw has grown longer than usual. This is a skeletal cause.
- Gum overgrowth. Inflammation from plaque, braces, hormonal changes, or some medications (including certain blood pressure, seizure and transplant drugs) can make gums thicker.
Why the cause matters so much
Laser contouring works well for extra gum tissue. It won’t help much if the cause is a long upper jaw, and it won’t last if the real problem is inflamed gums that haven’t been treated. Getting the diagnosis right is what makes the result stick.
What are the treatment options for a gummy smile?
Laser gum contouring (gingivectomy)
A soft tissue laser trims and reshapes the gumline. The laser seals small blood vessels as it works, so there’s usually very little bleeding and often no stitches. Most patients get numbing gel or a small amount of local anesthetic, and the procedure can take under an hour for the front teeth.
Best for: altered passive eruption with enough tooth structure underneath, uneven gumlines, and gum overgrowth after inflammation is under control.
Crown lengthening
When the bone sits too close to where the new gumline should be, gum alone can creep back. Crown lengthening reshapes both gum and a small amount of bone, so the gums stay where they’re placed. It takes longer to heal than laser contouring.
Botulinum toxin for the lip
Small injections relax the muscles that pull the upper lip up. The lip lifts less, so less gum shows. Results are temporary, usually lasting 3 to 6 months, and it should only be done by a trained, licensed provider.
Lip repositioning
A minor surgical procedure limits how high the lip can rise by repositioning tissue inside the upper lip. It suits people whose main cause is a hypermobile lip and who want something longer-lasting than injections.
Veneers or crowns
After contouring, short or worn teeth can be lengthened with porcelain veneers or crowns. This creates better proportions and is often combined with gum work in one smile plan.
Orthodontics or jaw surgery
Braces or aligners can move teeth upward in some cases. When a long upper jaw is the cause, jaw surgery with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be the only way to fully correct it, though many people choose a combination of smaller treatments instead.
Comparing gummy smile treatments
| Treatment | Best for | How long it lasts | Healing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser gum contouring | Extra gum tissue | Usually permanent | A few days to 2 weeks |
| Crown lengthening | Gum and bone too high | Permanent | Several weeks, gums settle over months |
| Lip injections | Overactive lip | 3 to 6 months | None |
| Lip repositioning | Overactive lip | Long-term, some relapse possible | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Veneers or crowns | Short or worn teeth | Many years with care | Minimal |
| Orthodontics or jaw surgery | Tooth position or long upper jaw | Permanent | Months |
What happens during laser gum contouring?
- Consultation. We look at your smile at rest and in full, take photos, check gum health, and measure how much tooth sits under the gum.
- Planning. We mark the new gumline so you can see it before anything changes. For bigger cases, a digital smile preview helps.
- Numbing. Topical gel and, when needed, a small amount of local anesthetic.
- Contouring. The laser reshapes the tissue tooth by tooth.
- Aftercare instructions. You leave the same day with simple instructions and usually go back to normal routines quickly.
- Follow-up. We check healing and, if veneers are part of the plan, wait for the gums to settle before matching them.
What is recovery like?
Most people describe it as tender. For a few days, the gums can feel sore, a bit like after burning your mouth on hot pizza.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough, if your doctor says they’re safe for you.
- Stick to soft, lukewarm foods for 2 to 3 days.
- Skip spicy, crunchy and very hot food at first.
- Brush gently near the treated area with a soft brush.
- Avoid smoking, which slows healing.
The gumline looks noticeably better within a week or two. Final shape takes a few months to settle completely, especially after crown lengthening.
Is gummy smile treatment safe?
When planned properly by a licensed dentist, yes. The main risks come from removing too much tissue or ignoring bone levels, which can cause sensitivity, gum regrowth or uneven results. That’s why measurements and gum health checks come first.
Talk to your dentist about any medications you take, especially blood thinners, and any health conditions that affect healing, such as diabetes.
Who is a good candidate?
- Adults whose teeth have fully come in and stopped moving
- People with healthy gums, or gums that have been treated and are stable
- Non-smokers, or people willing to stop during healing
- Anyone with realistic expectations who has seen a preview of the planned gumline
Teens are usually asked to wait until growth and eruption are complete, since the gumline often moves on its own during those years.
Myths about fixing a gummy smile
- “Laser gum treatment is painful.” Most patients feel only mild tenderness for a few days. The laser itself is quick, and the area is numbed.
- “Your gums will just grow back.” They can creep back if bone levels weren’t considered. Careful planning, and crown lengthening when it’s needed, prevents most of that.
- “It’s only cosmetic, so it doesn’t matter.” Often true, but gum overgrowth can come from inflammation or medication, which deserves attention for your health.
- “Everyone needs jaw surgery.” Only skeletal cases do, and even then smaller treatments may get you most of the way.
Is a gummy smile a sign of gum disease?
Not usually. Most gummy smiles have nothing to do with disease. But red, swollen, shiny gums that bleed when you brush are a different story. That’s gingivitis, and it can make gums look bulky. Treat it first. Many people find their smile looks better after a few weeks of proper cleaning before any cosmetic work.
Can a gummy smile come back years later?
After well-planned contouring, the gumline is usually stable. What can change it later is gum inflammation, new medications that cause overgrowth, or teeth wearing down from grinding. Regular cleanings and a night guard, if you grind, protect the result. If you notice the gums creeping down over a few months, get it checked early. Small touch-ups are easy. Big corrections take more work.
Getting a gummy smile assessed in Woodbridge
As a cosmetic dentist in Woodbridge, we see gummy smiles often, and the first visit is mostly about listening and measuring. All our dentists are licensed with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), and we’ll explain which options fit your smile and which don’t.
We accept new patients and CDCP (Canadian Dental Care Plan) patients, though cosmetic treatments aren’t covered by the CDCP. Our services include smile design, dentures and bridges, CEREC crowns and veneers, oral surgery, fillings, root canals, dental implants, teeth whitening, preventive care, children’s dentistry and laser dentistry.
Visit us at Suite #201, 8333 Weston Rd, Woodbridge, Ontario. We’re open Monday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, along with our weekday schedule. Call +1 647-931-1100 or email columbusdentalcentre@gmail.com, and our team usually replies within the day.
Gummy smile FAQs
How much gum is too much when smiling?
Most dentists consider about 3 to 4 millimetres of visible gum above the teeth during a full smile as the point where it starts to stand out. Treat it as a rough guide. What bothers you matters most.
Is laser gum contouring permanent?
For most people with extra gum tissue, yes. If bone sits too close to the new gumline, some tissue can creep back, which is why crown lengthening is sometimes used instead.
Can braces cause a gummy smile?
Braces don’t change the gum line directly, but plaque around brackets can cause gum swelling that looks like a gummy smile. It often improves after braces come off and gums are cleaned properly.
How soon can I get veneers after gum contouring?
It depends on the procedure. After simple laser contouring, gums often settle in a few weeks. After crown lengthening, dentists usually wait a few months before final veneers.
Does fixing a gummy smile hurt?
The area is numbed during treatment. Afterward, most people feel tenderness for a few days that’s managed with over-the-counter pain relief and soft foods.
Conclusion
A gummy smile is common, and there are several reliable ways to fix it.
Laser contouring suits extra gum tissue, while lip, tooth or jaw causes need different approaches.
An exam that finds the real cause is what gives you a result that looks natural and lasts.
