Gum Contouring in Ottawa: Transform Your Gummy Smile at BluSky Dental
Serving Westboro, Hintonburg, Wellington West, Little Italy, and Downtown Ottawa with expert gum contouring services.
What Is Gum Contouring?
Does your smile show too much gum? Do your teeth look short or uneven because of your gumline? Gum contouring can transform your smile by creating perfect proportions between your teeth and gums. At BluSky Dental Holland Cross, we use advanced laser technology to reshape gumlines with precision, minimal discomfort, and quick healing.
Gum contouring, also called gum reshaping or gum lifting, is a cosmetic dental procedure that sculpts the gumline by removing excess tissue. The goal is to reveal more of your natural tooth surface, creating balanced proportions and a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
Using soft tissue laser technology, our Westboro team precisely removes excess gum tissue to:
- Reveal hidden tooth structure
- Create symmetrical gumlines
- Improve tooth-to-gum ratio
- Eliminate the "gummy smile" appearance
The procedure is minimally invasive, typically completed in one visit, and produces permanent results.
Understanding the Gummy Smile
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
A "gummy smile" (technically called excessive gingival display) can result from several factors:
Excess Gum Tissue
Some people naturally have thick or excessive gum tissue that covers more of the tooth crown than typical.
Altered Passive Eruption
Teeth erupted normally but gums didn't recede to their proper position, leaving excess tissue covering the teeth.
Short Upper Lip
A shorter upper lip reveals more gum when smiling, even if gum tissue is normal.
Hyperactive Upper Lip
The upper lip rises higher than normal when smiling, exposing more gum.
Vertical Maxillary Excess
The upper jaw bone is longer than typical, creating excessive gum display.
Small Teeth
Naturally small teeth with normal gum tissue can appear "gummy."
Impact on Confidence
Many people feel self-conscious about their gummy smile, often:
- Avoiding smiling fully
- Covering their mouth when laughing
- Feeling less confident in social situations
- Wishing their teeth looked "bigger" or more prominent
Gum contouring can address these concerns, often dramatically improving smile appearance and confidence.
Gum Contouring vs. Crown Lengthening
While related, these procedures have important differences:
Gum Contouring
- Removes only soft tissue (gums)
- Primarily cosmetic purpose
- Simpler procedure
- Faster recovery
- Ideal for excess gum tissue alone
Crown Lengthening
- May involve bone removal as well as gum tissue
- Can be cosmetic or functional
- More involved procedure
- Longer recovery
- Needed when bone level is too high
During your consultation at our Holland Cross location, we determine which approach is appropriate for your situation.
The Laser Gum Contouring Procedure
Consultation and Planning
Your journey begins with comprehensive evaluation:
- Examine gum health and tissue thickness
- Analyze tooth proportions and positions
- Photograph smile from multiple angles
- Discuss your aesthetic goals
- Plan the ideal new gumline
Digital photography and sometimes Digital Smile Design help visualize the planned result.
Learn more about Digital Smile Design →
Day of Procedure
Laser gum contouring is typically completed in a single appointment:
Anesthesia (15 minutes)
Local anesthesia numbs the treatment area completely. You'll feel pressure but no pain.
Laser Contouring (30-45 minutes)
Using a soft tissue laser, your dentist precisely removes excess gum tissue following the planned design. The laser:
- Cuts tissue precisely
- Seals blood vessels (minimal bleeding)
- Sterilizes as it works
- Promotes faster healing
Immediate Results
You'll see your new smile immediately! Some swelling is normal, but the transformed gumline is visible right away.
Recovery After Gum Contouring
Laser gum contouring has remarkably quick recovery:
Day 1-3:
- Mild discomfort managed with OTC pain medication
- Some swelling and tenderness
- Soft diet recommended
- Avoid spicy or acidic foods
Week 1:
- Swelling subsides
- Return to normal diet gradually
- Continue gentle oral hygiene
- Avoid vigorous brushing at surgical sites
Weeks 2-4:
- Tissue fully matures
- Final result visible
- Resume normal oral care
Most patients return to work the next day with minimal visible effects.
Benefits of Gum Contouring
Improved Proportions
The ideal smile shows teeth in pleasing proportion to visible gum tissue. Gum contouring achieves this balance, making teeth appear larger and more prominent.
Enhanced Symmetry
Uneven gumlines draw attention and can make an otherwise beautiful smile look "off." Contouring creates symmetry that enhances overall smile aesthetics.
Permanent Results
Unlike some cosmetic procedures requiring ongoing maintenance, gum contouring produces permanent results. The removed tissue doesn't regenerate.
Minimal Invasion
Laser gum contouring is minimally invasive—no cutting with blades, minimal bleeding, no sutures typically needed.
Quick Procedure
Most gum contouring procedures are completed in under an hour. It's truly a lunchtime transformation.
Fast Recovery
Patients typically experience minimal downtime. Most return to normal activities immediately with only minor precautions.
Foundation for Other Work
Gum contouring creates the ideal canvas for additional cosmetic work. Many patients combine it with veneers or whitening for complete smile transformation.
Combining Gum Contouring with Other Treatments
With Veneers
Reshaping gums before veneer placement ensures ideal proportions. The veneers are then crafted to fit the new, improved gumline perfectly.
Learn more about Porcelain Veneers →
With Teeth Whitening
Whiter teeth combined with properly proportioned gums creates dramatic smile improvement.
Learn more about Teeth Whitening →
As Part of Smile Makeover
Comprehensive smile makeovers often begin with gum contouring, establishing the framework for subsequent cosmetic work.
Learn more about Smile Makeovers →
With Dental Crowns
When teeth need crowns but appear too short, gum contouring reveals more tooth structure for ideal crown proportions.
Who Is a Candidate for Gum Contouring?
Good Candidates
- Adults with excess gum tissue
- Those with uneven gumlines
- Patients wanting to improve smile proportions
- People with healthy gum tissue
- Those seeking permanent improvement
May Not Be Candidates
- Active gum disease (requires treatment first)
- Insufficient underlying tooth structure
- Certain medical conditions
- Unrealistic expectations
During your consultation at our Westboro office, we evaluate your specific situation and recommend the best approach.
Why Choose BluSky Dental for Gum Contouring
Laser Technology
We use advanced soft tissue lasers that provide precise contouring with minimal discomfort and faster healing than traditional methods.
Artistic Eye
Creating beautiful gumlines requires artistic vision as well as technical skill. Our team designs results that enhance your unique facial features.
Comprehensive Planning
We don't just remove tissue—we carefully plan the ideal gumline based on facial analysis, tooth proportions, and your goals.
Gentle Approach
Your comfort matters. We ensure complete anesthesia and use the gentlest techniques for a positive experience.
Integration with Cosmetic Services
Gum contouring is often part of larger smile transformations. We coordinate all aspects of your cosmetic care.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, gum tissue removed during contouring does not regenerate. Results are permanent. However, maintaining good oral health is essential—gum disease could affect surrounding tissue over time.
Gum contouring effectively treats gummy smiles caused by excess gum tissue. If the cause is skeletal (jaw bone position) or related to lip dynamics, additional treatments may be needed. We identify the cause during consultation.
You'll see your new gumline immediately after the procedure! Swelling may initially mask the full result, but within 1-2 weeks the final outcome is visible.
Adults of any age can benefit from gum contouring if they're in good oral and general health. We evaluate each patient individually.
Cosmetic gum contouring is typically not covered by dental insurance. However, if the procedure is medically necessary (such as for crown placement), partial coverage may apply. We help verify your benefits.
Schedule Your Gum Contouring Consultation
Ready to love your smile? At BluSky Dental Holland Cross, expert gum contouring can transform your gummy smile into the balanced, beautiful smile you've always wanted. Our Westboro location serves patients from throughout Ottawa seeking cosmetic gum treatments.
Call: (613) 728-1511
Address: 20 – 1620 Scott Street, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4S7
Email: hollandcrossreception@blusky.dental
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
At BluSky we BEElieve in bringing life to your smile. 🐝