Gum Contouring in Camarillo
When you smile, do your teeth look short or partly hidden, or does your gumline sit higher over some teeth than others? Excess or uneven gum tissue can make healthy, full-sized teeth look small or lopsided. Gum contouring reshapes that tissue so more of each tooth shows and the gumline frames your smile evenly. For patients in Camarillo, our Thousand Oaks office offers this treatment alongside the rest of your family's dental care. A board-certified periodontist is part of our team.
Gum contouring, sometimes called gum reshaping, is a cosmetic procedure that removes or sculpts gum tissue to change where the gumline sits on your teeth. The goal is balance. Each tooth should show in good proportion, and the line of tissue across your smile should look smooth and even instead of uneven or overly prominent. When the treatment involves removing excess tissue, it may also be called a gingivectomy, which is one of the procedures we provide.
Gum contouring is closely related to crown lengthening, which we also perform. Crown lengthening exposes more tooth structure, sometimes for cosmetic reasons and sometimes to prepare a tooth for a restoration such as a crown. During your consultation, we'll explain which approach fits your goals. Because our periodontist focuses on the health and structure of the gums, your treatment plan considers how your smile looks and how healthy your tissue is.
Many Camarillo patients come to us with what's often called a "gummy smile," where a large band of gum tissue shows above the upper teeth. Others have just one or two teeth where the gumline sits lower than its neighbors, so those teeth look shorter. Some are planning a bigger cosmetic change and want their gumline refined first. Reshaping the tissue can address each of these situations.
Patients often pursue gum contouring to:
- Reduce the amount of gum tissue that shows when smiling
- Even out a gumline that sits higher or lower on certain teeth
- Make teeth that look short appear more proportionate
- Create a balanced foundation before other cosmetic work, such as porcelain veneers, composite bonding, or teeth whitening
- Support a coordinated plan as part of a broader smile makeover
Because we offer cosmetic, restorative, and periodontal care in one practice, we can plan gum contouring together with your other treatments rather than sending you to separate offices.
Am I a good candidate for gum contouring?
You may be a good candidate if your gums are healthy and you're bothered by how much tissue shows or how uneven it looks. We start with a dental exam to evaluate your gums, teeth, and overall oral health, and we may use dental imaging as part of that evaluation.
If we find signs of gum disease, we'll usually recommend addressing that first. We provide gum disease treatment, scaling and root planing, and periodontal maintenance, so we can help you get your tissue healthy before any cosmetic reshaping. If your concern is gum recession rather than excess tissue, you'd likely need the opposite approach. Our periodontist also performs gum grafting and can talk with you about that option instead.
What happens during the gum contouring procedure?
The procedure begins with careful planning so we know exactly where your new gumline should sit. We'll talk through your goals and look at your smile's proportions. For patients combining treatments, we can use digital smile design to show how the changes fit into the bigger picture.
On the day of treatment, we numb the area so you stay comfortable. Then our periodontist removes or reshapes tissue to follow the planned contour. Laser dentistry is among the tools available at our practice, and we'll explain which technique we recommend for you. If you feel anxious about dental work, we offer sedation options, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. A board-certified dental anesthesiologist is on our team.
What is recovery like after gum contouring?
Most patients can expect a period of gentle healing while the tissue settles into its new shape. We'll give you aftercare guidance for your specific procedure, typically including how to keep the area clean, what to eat in the first days, and what to avoid while your gums heal.
We'll also schedule follow-up care to check your healing. Regular cleanings and exams afterward help keep your gums healthy. Whether you live in Camarillo or elsewhere in the area, you can handle both your follow-up visits and your routine preventive care with our team.
How can I pay for gum contouring?
We'll review costs with you before treatment so you know what to expect. We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our team can help you understand how your plan may apply. Because gum contouring is often considered cosmetic, coverage can vary, and we'll help you sort through the details.
We also welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available to help spread the cost over time. If you're in Camarillo and would like to know whether gum contouring is right for your smile, contact our office to schedule a consultation.