The shape of your gumline has a profound influence on the overall appearance of your smile. Even teeth that are perfectly healthy and well-proportioned can appear short, stubby, or uneven if too much gum tissue covers them — a condition commonly described as a “gummy smile.” Conversely, when the gumline is asymmetrical, rising higher on some teeth than others, even a well-aligned set of teeth can appear irregular. At SmileVerse Dental Clinic in Friendswood, TX, Dr. Greiss performs gum recontouring and crown lengthening procedures to reshape the gumline with precision — creating the harmonious, balanced frame that your teeth deserve and that completes a truly beautiful smile.

Gum recontouring, also called gingivectomy or gum reshaping, is a cosmetic procedure in which excess or uneven gum tissue is carefully removed and recontoured to expose more of the tooth’s natural crown and create a gumline that flows evenly from tooth to tooth. This procedure can be performed using a soft tissue laser, which offers excellent precision, minimal bleeding, and faster healing compared to traditional scalpel techniques. The result is often dramatic — teeth that appeared small and buried beneath a heavy gumline suddenly appear appropriately proportioned and the smile opens up significantly. Many patients pursuing porcelain veneers or a complete smile makeover find that gum recontouring is an essential first step in achieving the ideal canvas for their cosmetic work.

Crown lengthening is a closely related procedure that serves both cosmetic and restorative purposes. When crown lengthening is performed for cosmetic reasons, the goal is the same as gum recontouring — exposing more tooth structure for aesthetic improvement. When performed for restorative purposes, crown lengthening addresses a different clinical problem: a tooth that is too short to support a crown because decay, fracture, or previous treatment has left insufficient tooth structure above the gum line. By surgically reshaping the gum tissue and sometimes a small amount of supporting bone, Dr. Greiss creates the necessary clearance for a crown to be placed with the proper margins — ensuring a restoration that is both functional and durable.

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients are comfortable throughout. Dr. Greiss carefully marks the new gumline based on the clinical measurements and aesthetic goals established during the consultation, then precisely removes or repositions the excess tissue. In cases where bone recontouring is part of the procedure, this is performed with specialized instruments to maintain the biological width necessary for long-term tissue health. Post-procedure, you will experience some mild swelling and tenderness that resolves within one to two weeks, during which soft foods and gentle rinsing are recommended.

The results of gum recontouring and crown lengthening are immediately visible and permanent. Once healed, the new gumline requires no special maintenance beyond your normal oral hygiene routine. If you have ever looked at your smile and felt that your teeth look too short, that your gums look uneven, or that something about the balance of your smile is slightly off — this procedure may be exactly what you have been looking for. Dr. Greiss will evaluate your gumline at your consultation and give you a clear picture of what recontouring can achieve for your specific smile.