Dental implants
Cosmetic Dentistry
Gum Contouring in Turkey
Gum Contouring in Turkey: reshaping an uneven or gummy smile — laser or scalpel methods, healthy-gum prerequisites, risks and healing.
- Free consultation
- VIP airport transfer
- Hotel stay included
Free · no obligation
Get a free consultation
Leave your name and number — a coordinator replies personally.
What is gum contouring?
Gum contouring, also called gingival recontouring or aesthetic gingivectomy, removes or reshapes a small amount of gum tissue so that the gum line sits at a more even height or reveals more of each tooth. It is most often discussed when teeth look short because gum covers part of the crown, when the gum line is noticeably higher on one tooth than its neighbour, or when a broad band of gum shows on smiling.
The key question is why the gums sit where they do. Sometimes there is simply extra gum over teeth of normal length, and trimming that soft tissue is enough. In other cases the bone beneath the gum also sits close to the edge of the tooth, and removing gum alone would let it grow back towards its original position. That situation calls for crown lengthening, a surgical procedure that also reshapes bone. A gummy smile can also come from the way the upper jaw has grown or from a very mobile upper lip, neither of which gum contouring changes. Measurement and X-rays therefore come before any decision.
Contouring can be carried out with a scalpel or with a dental laser; some clinicians use electrosurgery. Each tool has its own handling, and comfort and healing depend more on how much tissue is treated and on your gum health than on the instrument alone. It is often planned as part of a wider smile design, before veneers or crowns, so that new restorations are made to the final gum position.
What it can help with
- Even out a gum line that is higher or lower on some teeth than others
- Reveal more of teeth that look short because gum covers part of the crown
- Reduce how much gum shows on smiling, where soft tissue is the cause
- Prepare a stable gum line before veneers or crowns on front teeth
Results · before & after
Real smiles, visible change.
Before and after photographs from gum contouring and related treatments at our clinic in Istanbul. Drag the handle to compare each pair.
All dental results
Porcelain veneers
Case 01
Dental implants
Case 02
Porcelain veneers
Case 02
Dental implants
Case 03
Porcelain veneers
Case 03
Dental implants
Case 04
Porcelain veneers
Case 04
Who is gum contouring for?
Gum contouring is a cosmetic refinement for gums that are already healthy. Bleeding, inflammation or periodontal disease are treated first, and the bone level and the cause of the excess gum display are assessed before contouring is recommended.
Often a good fit
- Adults with healthy, stable gums and good daily hygiene
- People whose front teeth are partly covered by excess gum tissue
- Patients with an asymmetric gum line on otherwise healthy teeth
- Those planning veneers or crowns who want the gum line settled first
Assessed carefully
- Active gum inflammation or periodontitis, which must be controlled first
- Where the bone sits relative to the tooth, which may point to crown lengthening instead
- Jaw growth or lip movement as the main cause of a gummy smile
- Thin gum tissue, which may be more prone to recession
- Smoking, diabetes and medicines that affect bleeding or healing
- Medicines known to cause gum overgrowth, which may need medical review
Honest information
Benefits, limitations & risks
Potential benefits
- Can improve the proportions of teeth that look short or uneven
- Often a small procedure under local anaesthetic
- Can make later veneers or crowns look better proportioned
- Does not involve reshaping the teeth themselves
Limitations
- Does not correct a gummy smile caused by jaw growth or an overactive lip
- Where bone sits close to the tooth edge, soft-tissue trimming alone may relapse
- Gum that has been removed cannot simply be put back
- Results depend on long-term gum health and careful hygiene
Possible risks
- Tenderness, bleeding and swelling in the first days
- Temporary sensitivity where more of the tooth is exposed
- Gum regrowth towards the original level, particularly if bone was not addressed
- Uneven healing or a gum line that differs slightly from the plan
- Recession or exposed root surfaces if too much tissue is removed or the gum is thin
- Infection, which is uncommon
The procedure
Gum Contouring, step by step
A good result starts with understanding why the gums look the way they do. Contouring is planned only on healthy gums, conservatively, and in step with any other cosmetic work.
Step 01Smile and gum assessment
Your clinician looks at how much gum shows at rest and on smiling, measures tooth proportions and probes the gums. X-rays show where the bone sits. Together these indicate whether contouring alone, crown lengthening or a different approach is appropriate.
Step 02Planning the new gum line
The proposed line is planned from photographs and measurements, and is sometimes previewed digitally or marked on the gums. The aim is a natural gum line in which the front teeth relate in height to one another and to your lip line.
Step 03Local anaesthetic and reshaping
The area is numbed. Gum tissue is then removed and sculpted with a scalpel, laser or electrosurgical instrument, following the planned outline and leaving enough attached gum to protect the tooth.
Step 04Initial healing
The treated gum may be tender and look raw or slightly white for several days. A protective dressing is sometimes used. You receive instructions on brushing, rinsing and eating soft foods while the surface heals.
Step 05Review and next steps
At a review the gum line is checked as it matures. If veneers or crowns are planned, they are usually made only once the gums have stabilised, which can take several weeks or longer depending on what was done.
Gallery
Our clinic
Dental suite 
Treatment room 
Reception 
Rest area 
Main hall
Gum contouring, crown lengthening and gum treatment
Gum contouring trims and reshapes soft tissue only, for cosmetic reasons, on healthy gums. Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that also reshapes the bone beneath, used when bone sits too close to the tooth edge or when more tooth is needed to hold a crown. Periodontal or gum treatment is different again: it treats inflammation and infection, aiming to stabilise the gums rather than change how the smile looks. Your clinician will explain which, if any, applies to you.
- Gum treatmentIf gums look swollen or uneven because of inflammation, treating that may restore a healthier gum line without any reshaping.
- Orthodontic treatmentWhere an uneven gum line follows uneven tooth positions, moving the teeth can bring the gums with them.
- Smile designA wider plan that considers gums, tooth shape and shade together, and may combine contouring with other steps.
- Crown lengtheningA periodontal surgical procedure that reshapes bone as well as gum; it is considered when the bone level, not just soft tissue, sets the gum position.
Before & after treatment
Preparation & aftercare
Before you travel
- Have any gum inflammation treated and keep up careful brushing and interdental cleaning
- Share your medical history and all medicines, especially those affecting bleeding or gum growth
- Stop or reduce smoking before and after the procedure if you can
- Plan a few days of soft foods and avoid important events immediately afterwards
Afterwards
- Follow your clinician’s written instructions; they take priority over this summary
- Brush the treated area gently with a soft brush, as shown, and keep the rest of the mouth clean
- Use any mouthwash or pain relief exactly as advised
- Choose soft, lukewarm foods and avoid spicy, crunchy or very hot dishes while the gum heals
- Avoid smoking while the gum heals
- Report bleeding that does not settle, increasing pain, swelling or fever
In their words
What our patients say.
Dental patients describe their experience — from the first conversation to aftercare.
All patient reviewsGoogle reviews
Spoken with us already? Share your experience on Google.
Honest reviews — good or critical — help the next person decide. We read every one and never offer anything in exchange.
Questions
Asked about gum contouring.
General answers — your own plan always depends on an individual assessment.
All dental questionsDoes gum contouring hurt?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself is usually comfortable. Afterwards the gums are commonly tender for several days; your clinician will advise on pain relief and gentle cleaning.
Is laser better than a scalpel?
Not universally. Lasers can reduce bleeding during the procedure, and scalpels allow very precise edges; both are used successfully. The amount of tissue treated, the plan and your gum health matter more than the instrument.
Can the gum grow back?
Some rebound is possible, especially if the bone sits close to the tooth edge and only soft tissue was removed. That is why bone levels are checked first and why crown lengthening is sometimes recommended instead.
Will this fix my gummy smile?
Only if excess gum tissue is the main cause. If the upper jaw is long or the lip lifts high when you smile, contouring alone may change little, and your clinician will explain other options and their trade-offs.
How soon can I have veneers after gum contouring?
Usually not straight away. The gum line needs time to stabilise, often several weeks or more, so that restorations are made to the final position. Your clinician will set the timing.
Can it be done during a short stay in Istanbul?
The procedure itself is usually brief, but healing continues after you return home and a later review may be advised. If this option is relevant to you, availability at our clinic and your suitability are confirmed during your consultation.
Also available
You may also consider
Free consultation
Questions about gum contouring? Let’s talk.
Tell us what you would like to change. A coordinator replies personally and arranges a dentist’s review of your photos — free, without obligation.
- Free consultation
- VIP airport transfer
- Hotel stay
- One personal coordinator
A person replies. Monday to Saturday, Istanbul time.