Gum Contouring London
Gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure designed to reshape the gum line and improve the balance between your teeth and gums. At our London practice, treatment is carefully planned to create a more harmonious, natural-looking smile.
Investment

What Is Gum Contouring?
Gum contouring is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves carefully reshaping the gum line by removing small amounts of excess gum tissue. The goal is to reveal more of the natural tooth structure, creating a more balanced and proportionate appearance.
Reshaping the Gum Line
Excess gum tissue is gently removed to expose more of your natural tooth, helping to create a smoother, more even gum line.
Revealing Natural Teeth
Many patients have healthy tooth structure hidden beneath excess gum tissue. Gum contouring can help reveal this, improving the visible proportions of your smile.
Patient-Friendly Approach
Treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic to improve comfort, and the procedure is typically completed in a single appointment.
Gummy Smile Treatment
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile refers to excessive gum tissue being visible when you smile. This can make the teeth appear shorter or less prominent, even when the underlying tooth structure is a healthy size.
How It Affects Appearance
Excess gum display can affect the overall balance and symmetry of your smile. Many patients feel self-conscious about the proportion of gum tissue visible, which may influence their confidence when smiling.
Gum contouring may help improve the appearance of a gummy smile by carefully reshaping the gum line. It can also be part of a broader smile makeover approach when combined with other cosmetic treatments. Suitability depends on your gum and bone structure, which is assessed during a consultation.
Who Is Gum Contouring Suitable For?
Gum contouring may be suitable for patients who feel their gum line affects the appearance of their smile. A clinical assessment is required to determine whether this treatment is the right approach for you.
Excessive Gum Display
Patients who show a significant amount of gum tissue when smiling and wish to improve the balance between their teeth and gums.
Uneven Gum Line
An asymmetrical gum line can make teeth appear different sizes. Contouring can help create a more even, balanced appearance across the smile.
Teeth Appearing Short
When excess gum tissue covers part of the tooth, the teeth can appear shorter than they are. Contouring reveals more of the natural tooth structure.
Preparation for Other Treatments
Gum contouring is sometimes carried out before treatments such as composite bonding or veneers to create a symmetrical foundation for the best possible result.
Important: Suitability for gum contouring depends on the relationship between the gum tissue and underlying bone structure. A clinical assessment is required before treatment can be recommended.
Benefits of Gum Contouring
For suitable patients, gum contouring can offer a number of aesthetic improvements. Results vary depending on individual factors and are discussed during your consultation.
Improved Smile Balance
By reshaping the gum line, gum contouring can help create a more balanced and proportionate appearance between teeth and gums, contributing to a more harmonious smile.
More Visible Tooth Structure
Removing excess gum tissue reveals more of your natural tooth, which can make the teeth appear longer and more proportionate within your smile.
Subtle Aesthetic Enhancement
Gum contouring is a refined cosmetic procedure that can make a noticeable difference to the appearance of your smile, while maintaining a natural, understated result.
Supporting Other Treatments
When combined with treatments such as veneers or bonding, gum contouring can provide a more symmetrical foundation, helping to improve the overall result of your cosmetic treatment plan.
The Gum Contouring Process
Each stage is carefully managed to support a comfortable experience and the best possible outcome for your treatment.
Consultation & Assessment
Your dentist examines your gum line, assesses the underlying structure, and discusses your goals. Suitability for treatment is determined at this stage.
Planning the Gum Line
The new gum line shape is carefully planned, taking into account symmetry, proportion, and the relationship between your teeth and gums.
Local Anaesthetic
The treatment area is numbed with local anaesthetic to improve your comfort throughout the procedure.
Careful Reshaping
Excess gum tissue is gently and precisely removed to reveal more of the natural tooth structure, following the planned design.
Review & Follow-Up
The result is reviewed, and a follow-up appointment is arranged to monitor healing and ensure you are happy with the outcome.
Recovery & Healing
Recovery following gum contouring varies between individuals. Your dentist will provide personalised aftercare guidance to support your healing.
Recovery Varies
Healing times differ from person to person. Many patients find that initial tenderness settles within a few days, though full healing continues over the following weeks.
Mild Tenderness
Some patients experience mild tenderness or sensitivity in the treated area. This can usually be managed with appropriate aftercare and over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
Resuming Normal Activities
Many patients are able to resume normal activities shortly after treatment. Your dentist will advise on any temporary precautions during the initial healing period.
Ongoing Healing
Healing continues over time, and your dentist will review your progress at a follow-up appointment. Maintaining good oral hygiene supports the healing process.
Gum Contouring Cost London
The cost of gum contouring depends on a number of factors, including the number of teeth being treated and the complexity of the procedure. A personalised treatment plan with costs is provided following your consultation.
What Affects the Cost?
Number of Teeth
The cost is influenced by how many teeth require gum reshaping. Treating a single tooth will differ from a full smile gum line adjustment.
Complexity of Treatment
The extent of gum tissue to be reshaped and any additional planning required will be reflected in the overall cost of your treatment.
Personalised Plan
A full written treatment plan with itemised costs is provided following your consultation, so you know what to expect before treatment begins.
Membership Plan
Our membership plan is available for patients who wish to benefit from reduced treatment fees. Details are provided during your consultation.
View Our Full Fee Guide
A transparent breakdown of treatment fees is available on our pricing page.
Why Choose Smile Dentist

Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi — GDC: 195843
- London practice with experience in cosmetic and gum treatments
- Focus on natural-looking, balanced results
- Personalised treatment planning for every patient
- GDC-registered dentists at a CQC-registered practice
Gum Contouring Near You
Our London practice welcomes patients from across the city and surrounding areas who are considering gum contouring or gummy smile treatment. Whether you are searching for gum contouring near you or an experienced cosmetic dentist in London, we are here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smile Gallery
Examples of treatments we have provided for our patients.
Individual results may vary. These images show actual patients who consented to their photos being used. A clinical assessment is required to determine suitability for any treatment.
BEFORE
AFTERRestoring a Chipped Front Tooth
Composite Bonding
BEFORE
AFTERTransforming Discoloured & Chipped Teeth
Composite Bonding
Visit Smile Dentist London
Two Central London clinics. Same team, same prices, same exceptional care.
South Kensington
20 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3DL
City of London
5 Ave Maria Lane, London, EC4M 7AQ
Considering Gum Contouring?
Book a consultation to discuss whether gum contouring is suitable for your smile. Your dentist will assess your gum line, explain your options, and provide a personalised treatment plan — so you can make an informed decision about your care.
South Kensington (SW7) • City of London (EC4) • Same team, same prices
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Our team are fully registered and regulated for practice in the United Kingdom. Our patients should expect nothing less.
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