Services
Gum Contouring
Our board-certified periodontist gently reshapes uneven or excess gum tissue to create a more balanced, confident smile.
Why choose us
Benefits of Gum Contouring
A More Balanced Smile
We reshape uneven or excess gum tissue so your teeth and gums look more proportional.
Board-Certified Periodontist
Your gum contouring is performed by the board-certified periodontist on our team.
Comfort Options Available
If you feel anxious, our board-certified dental anesthesiologist offers nitrous, oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia.
No Referral Needed
You can book with our periodontics team directly, without a referral from another dentist.
Flexible Payment Choices
We accept all major PPO plans and self-pay patients, and we offer financing.
When your teeth look short, or your gumline sits higher on one tooth than its neighbor, the cause is often the gum tissue rather than the teeth. Gum contouring reshapes that tissue so more of each tooth shows and the gumline follows a more even, balanced curve. At 805 Dentistry in Thousand Oaks, cosmetic gum contouring is performed in our periodontics office by a board-certified periodontist, a dentist who specializes in the gums and the structures that support the teeth.
Gum contouring, sometimes called gum reshaping, is a procedure in which a small amount of gum tissue is carefully removed or sculpted to change how the gumline frames your teeth. The goal is usually cosmetic: a smile where the teeth look properly proportioned and the gums do not draw attention. It is closely related to a gingivectomy, the removal of excess gum tissue, and to crown lengthening, which exposes more of a tooth's structure. We perform all three, so the approach can match what your gums and teeth actually need.
Patients come to us for several different reasons. Each one calls for a slightly different plan, which is why we start with an exam rather than a one-size-fits-all procedure.
Gum contouring addresses a range of situations, and many patients have more than one of them:
- A "gummy" smile, where a broad band of gum shows above the upper teeth when you smile
- Teeth that look short or square, because gum tissue covers more of the tooth than usual
- An uneven gumline, where one or two teeth sit higher or lower than the teeth beside them
- Preparation for other cosmetic work, such as porcelain veneers, crowns, or composite bonding, where a balanced gumline helps the final result look natural
- Gum tissue changes after orthodontic treatment, when the teeth are straight but the gums no longer frame them evenly
Because our practice also offers veneers, crowns, whitening, orthodontics, and full smile makeovers, gum contouring often fits into a larger plan. For example, a patient planning veneers might have the gumline evened out first. Someone finishing clear aligners might address uneven tissue once the teeth are in their final position. Our on-site dental lab and digital smile design tools help us coordinate these steps under one roof.
Am I a good candidate for gum contouring?
You may be a good candidate if your gums are healthy and you are bothered by how your gumline looks. Healthy tissue is the starting point. If an exam shows signs of gum disease, we treat that first with care such as scaling and root planing or other gum disease treatment, and then revisit contouring once the gums are stable.
During your consultation, our periodontist looks at how much of each tooth is covered, where the underlying bone sits, and how your lips frame your smile. Those details determine whether simple tissue reshaping is enough or whether crown lengthening is the better option. You do not need a referral to see our periodontist. If you feel anxious about dental procedures, we can discuss sedation choices with you, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. A board-certified dental anesthesiologist is part of our team.
What is recovery like after gum contouring?
Recovery is generally a matter of letting the gum tissue heal while you follow the aftercare instructions we give you. Since every procedure is tailored to the patient, the specific guidance on eating, brushing near the treated area, and managing discomfort is given to you directly. We go over it before you leave the office.
Follow-up visits let us check how the tissue is healing and whether the new gumline is settling as planned. Over the longer term, good daily brushing and flossing and regular cleanings help keep your gums healthy. If gum contouring is part of a larger plan, we will also let you know when it makes sense to move on to the next step, such as veneers or whitening.
How can I pay for gum contouring?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and welcome self-pay patients. Because gum contouring is often done for cosmetic reasons, insurance coverage varies. Our team can file claims and help you understand what your plan may or may not cover. Our periodontics office files claims as a specialist office.
Financing is also available. That can make it easier to move forward with contouring on its own or as part of a broader smile makeover. We review costs and options with you before treatment begins, so you can make a decision that fits your budget.
If your gumline has been holding your smile back, we would be glad to take a look. Patients visit us from Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and nearby communities. Contact 805 Dentistry to schedule a gum contouring consultation with our team.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Smile Consultation
We examine your gums and teeth, talk through your goals, and plan the shape that suits your smile.
- 2
Gentle Gum Reshaping
Our periodontist carefully removes or reshapes gum tissue to create a more even gumline.
- 3
Healing and Follow-Up
We give you clear aftercare instructions and check your healing to keep your results on track.