Gum Contouring in Simi Valley
Every time you laugh at a family dinner, smile for a photo, or greet a coworker, your gums frame your teeth. When that frame is uneven, or when gum tissue covers more of your teeth than you'd like, it can make you hesitate to smile freely. For patients in Simi Valley who feel this way, gum contouring is a straightforward way to reshape the gumline so your smile looks balanced and natural. Here at 805 Dentistry, we help you understand whether it fits your goals.
Gum contouring, sometimes called gum reshaping or a cosmetic gingivectomy, is a procedure that removes or reshapes excess gum tissue to create a more even, proportionate gumline. The goal is to reveal more of the natural tooth surface and to smooth out areas where the gums sit higher or lower than their neighbors.
Our office is home to a board-certified periodontist, a specialist in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, who performs cosmetic gum contouring. Many Simi Valley patients appreciate that they can see a specialist without a referral and receive care within a practice that also handles their family's routine dental needs.
Patients come to us for gum contouring for several distinct reasons. One of the most common is a "gummy smile," where a wide band of gum tissue shows above the upper teeth when smiling. Others notice that their gumline is uneven, with one tooth looking longer or shorter than the teeth beside it.
Some people feel their teeth look short or boxy, even though the teeth themselves are a healthy size and are simply partly covered by gum tissue. Gum contouring can also be part of a broader plan. Patients considering porcelain veneers, composite bonding, crowns, or a full smile makeover sometimes benefit from reshaping the gums first so the final result looks even from tooth to tooth. Because we offer these cosmetic treatments and have an on-site dental lab, we can coordinate the steps within one practice.
Am I a good candidate for gum contouring?
You may be a good candidate if your gums are healthy and your main concern is how your gumline looks. Before any cosmetic reshaping, we evaluate your gum health carefully, because active gum disease needs to be addressed first.
If we find signs of inflammation or infection, we can provide gum disease treatment, scaling and root planing, or periodontal maintenance before moving forward. In some cases, what looks like excess gum tissue is related to how the tooth and bone sit beneath it, and a procedure such as crown lengthening may be more appropriate. Our periodontist will explain what we see and walk you through your options so you can decide with confidence.
What happens during the procedure, and what is recovery like?
Gum contouring is typically done in our office, and we start by numbing the area so you stay comfortable. We begin with a consultation and exam, and we may use tools such as digital smile design to help plan a gumline that suits your face and smile. Here is what you can generally expect:
- A conversation about your goals and a thorough look at your gum health
- A personalized plan showing which areas will be reshaped
- Local anesthetic to numb the treatment area
- Careful removal or reshaping of tissue, which may involve laser dentistry
- Written aftercare instructions before you head home
If dental visits make you anxious, we have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff and offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. We'll talk through which option, if any, makes sense for you.
After treatment, it's normal for your gums to feel tender for a period of time. We'll give you specific guidance on gentle brushing, which foods to choose while the area heals, and when to return for a follow-up. If anything feels unusual, our team is a phone call away, and we offer emergency dental appointments when needed.
How can I pay for gum contouring?
We make payment as clear as possible, and you have several options. We accept all major PPO insurance plans and welcome self-pay patients. Because gum contouring is often considered cosmetic, coverage varies from plan to plan, so we'll help you understand what your plan may or may not contribute before treatment begins.
Financing is also available for patients who prefer to spread out the cost over time. At your consultation, we'll review your treatment plan and the costs involved so there are no surprises. Many families from Simi Valley and across the region choose our practice as a one-stop shop for everything from cleanings to cosmetic care, and we'd be glad to help you take the next step toward a smile you feel good sharing.