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Gum Reshaping: Everything You Need to Know
Posted on 7/13/2022 by Neil Starr DDS PC
Gum Reshaping Everything You Need to Know
If your gums rest too low or too high on your teeth and you’d like to enhance your smile, you might be a candidate for gum reshaping.

Reshaping is a cosmetic dental procedure that aims to give you a smile you can love. Continue reading to learn more and find out if reshaping your gums is right for you.

What Is Gum Reshaping?


Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished your gums looked different? Maybe your gums cover too much or too little of your teeth? If you have ever had these thoughts, you might be a great candidate for the reshaping of the gums.

Gum reshaping, or gum contouring, is a procedure that changes your gums to enhance your smile or make it more aesthetically pleasing. This procedure is usually not necessary and only needed to approve the appearance of teeth and gums.

“Gummy” Smile


A “gummy” smile, or excessive gingival display, is when disproportionate gum tissue shows above your top teeth. When your gums are covering most of your teeth, it can make them look small. Fortunately, this reshaping procedure is relatively quick. A local anesthetic is applied, then, while using a scalpel or a laser, part of the gum line is removed to reveal more of the teeth. Once some of the gums have been removed, I will go in and create a new gum line showing more teeth to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

Gum Recession


Sometimes teeth can be too exposed with a minimal gum line called gum recession. Usually, this comes from periodontal disease, over-brushing, or genetics. Your teeth might look discolored and elongated with gum recession, but cosmetics are not the only problem. Having little gum puts your teeth at risk of harmful bacteria and plaque, leading to tooth decay. Gum recession is fixed by taking tissue from another part of your mouth and grafting it on, creating a new gum line.

Am I a Good Candidate for Gum Reshaping?


Do your gums cover too much of your teeth? If so, it will make your teeth appear smaller than they are. There are many reasons for having too much gum coverage, such as genetics, health issues, or medications. Whatever the cause, gum contouring can correct this problem.
On the other hand, if you suffer from gum recession, you may be prone to tooth decay or even tooth loss. Gum recession can also signify periodontal disease, which is the deterioration of your teeth’ support. Periodontal disease can make your teeth weak and sensitive. If you are suffering from too much or too little gum coverage, you are a candidate for this procedure.

Visit Neil L. Starr, DDS, PC, for Gum Reshaping


Dr. Starr of Neil Starr, DDS, PC, can help you get back your smile with our gum reshaping service. This procedure offers you a permanent solution to your gum problems in very little time. We also provide aftercare services and follow-up checkups to monitor the status of our clients. We value your smile, and we want to see you confidently wearing it.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and to schedule an appointment. Our office is located in Washington D.C., and we serve the surrounding areas, including Fairfax City, Potomac, the southern part of Loudoun County, and more!


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Neil L. Starr, DDS, PC

Washington Office

1234 19th St NW #306
Washington, DC 20036



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Dentist DC • Neil Starr, DDS, PC • Dental Blog
Dr. Starr is offering this educational blog as a resource to our patients. Our hope is hope that our blog will cover subjects that you may be interested in.
Neil L. Starr, DDS, PC, 1234 19th St NW #306, Washington, DC 20036 + (202) 293-7177 + starrteeth.com + 6/6/2023 + Tags: dental implants DC +