Gum Contouring in Westlake Village
If you've ever covered your smile in photos because your teeth look short, your gumline looks uneven, or more gum shows than you'd like, you're not alone. Many patients come to us from Westlake Village with exactly these concerns. Gum contouring is one of the ways we can reshape that frame around your teeth so your smile looks more balanced. At 805 Dentistry, our Thousand Oaks office brings general, cosmetic, and specialty care under one roof, so gum contouring can fit into your broader dental plan rather than feeling like a separate project.
Gum contouring, sometimes called gum reshaping or a gingivectomy, is a procedure that removes or reshapes gum tissue to change how much of each tooth is visible and how even the gumline looks. When gums sit too low on the teeth, teeth can look small or boxy. When the gumline rises and falls unevenly from tooth to tooth, the whole smile can look lopsided, even when the teeth themselves are healthy and well aligned.
Our practice includes a board-certified periodontist who performs cosmetic gum contouring, along with related gum procedures such as crown lengthening and gum grafting. This matters because gum tissue isn't only cosmetic. It protects the roots and supporting bone. Having a gum specialist on our team means we evaluate both how your gums look and how healthy they are before we recommend any change. We also offer laser dentistry, which can be part of how gum tissue is reshaped, depending on your situation.
Patients from Westlake Village often find it simpler to manage everything with one practice that knows their history. Because we see children and adults, many families already come to us for cleanings, exams, and restorative work. Adding gum contouring means working with a team that already understands your teeth, your goals, and any other treatment you're considering.
That coordination shows up in practical ways. If you're also thinking about porcelain veneers, crowns, teeth whitening, or a full smile makeover, we can plan the gum work and the tooth work together so the final result fits. We use digital smile design to help map out changes, and our on-site dental lab supports restorative work that may follow your contouring.
Who is a good candidate for gum contouring?
Good candidates generally have healthy gums and a cosmetic or functional concern about how their gumline looks or fits. Common situations we see include:
- A "gummy" smile where a lot of gum tissue shows when you smile
- Teeth that look short because gum tissue covers part of the crown
- An uneven gumline, with some teeth looking longer than others
- Gum tissue that needs reshaping before crowns, veneers, or other restorations
- Patients finishing orthodontic treatment who want to refine the look of their smile
If you have signs of gum disease, such as bleeding, swelling, or tenderness, we'll typically address that first. We offer scaling and root planing, gum disease treatment, and periodontal maintenance, so we can help get your gums healthy before any cosmetic reshaping.
In some cases, what looks like excess gum is actually related to the underlying bone or tooth structure. That's where crown lengthening may be more appropriate than contouring alone. Our periodontist will explain the difference and recommend the approach that suits your mouth.
What happens during the procedure, and how should I care for my gums afterward?
The process starts with a consultation and exam, where we look at your gums, teeth, and smile goals and talk through what's realistic. We may use dental imaging to understand the structures beneath the gumline. From there, we'll outline a plan, including which teeth are involved and what reshaping is needed.
On treatment day, we focus on keeping you comfortable. The area is numbed, and if you feel anxious about dental visits, we have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff and offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. We'll talk with you about which option, if any, makes sense for you.
After contouring, your gums need time to heal. We'll give you specific aftercare instructions based on your treatment, which may include eating softer foods for a period, brushing gently around the treated area, and avoiding anything that could irritate the tissue. We'll schedule follow-up as needed to check your healing. If questions come up once you're home in Westlake Village, our team is a phone call away.
How can I pay for gum contouring?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, welcome self-pay patients, and offer financing. Because gum contouring can be cosmetic or part of a restorative plan, coverage varies, and we'll help you understand your options before treatment.
Our team can review your plan, explain any out-of-pocket costs, and discuss financing so you can make a confident decision. If you're in Westlake Village and ready to talk about your smile, contact 805 Dentistry to schedule a consultation with our team.