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Gummy smile correction in Kallangur

Gummy Smile
Treatment Kallangur

Gummy smile treatment in Kallangur, planned around the cause

A gummy smile can make some people self-conscious, and many start smiling with their lips closed. At Kallangur Dental Surgery, our gummy smile treatment in Kallangur begins by working out why your gums look prominent, then matching the treatment to that cause. Options include gum contouring, crown lengthening, and pairing gum treatment with veneers or clear aligners, so more of your teeth show when you smile. Patients visit our Anzac Avenue practice from Kallangur, North Lakes, Murrumba Downs, Dakabin and across Moreton Bay.

Gum contouring and crown lengthening, planned case by case
Free smile consultation: assessment, options and a plan to your budget

Book a Free Smile Consultation (07) 3886 0933

Your next step

Talk to us about your gummy smile

Your free smile consultation is the place to start. We assess your gums, teeth and lip line, talk through the options that suit you, and put together a plan to your budget, with no obligation. Free consultations are booked with a $75 deposit, refunded at your appointment or if you cancel with 48 hours' notice.

Book a Free Smile Consultation (07) 3886 0933

Free smile consultation: assessment, options and a plan to your budget ($75 refundable deposit)
A written estimate before any treatment
Local anaesthetic and a calm pace for nervous patients
Preferred provider with Medibank, HCF, Bupa and Westfund

Transparent pricing

Gummy smile treatment cost in Kallangur

Treatment	Price
Smile consultation	Free

The cost of treating a gummy smile depends on the cause, how many teeth are involved and whether crown lengthening or other treatment is needed as well. After your assessment you receive a written estimate before anything goes ahead, and payment plans may be available.

Access a wide range of payment options to help with the cost of your treatment.

Young woman laughing at a park picnic, her smile showing gum above her upper teeth

The basics

What is a gummy smile?

Have you always wanted your teeth, rather than your gums, to be the first thing people see when you smile? A gummy smile is when a noticeable band of gum shows above the upper teeth as you smile. In many smiles the upper lip rests near the gum line and most of each front tooth is visible. When more than about 2 to 3 mm of gum shows as a continuous band, dentists usually describe it as a gummy smile.

Anyone can have a gummy smile, and it tends to be seen a little more often in women than in men. It can also run in families. It is not a disease, and many people are happy with how their smile looks. Treatment is only for those who want to change it.

Dentist measuring a patient's gum line with a fine probe to work out what is causing a gummy smile

The causes

What causes a gummy smile?

The cause of a gummy smile varies from person to person, and more than one factor is often involved. Common reasons include:

Excess gum tissue covering part of the tooth, so the teeth look short even though they are a normal length underneath.
Small or short teeth, including teeth that have worn down from grinding.
A short upper lip, or an upper lip that lifts higher than average when you smile.
Crooked or poorly positioned teeth, which can leave the gum line uneven.
The way the upper jaw has grown, which in some cases means the gums sit lower relative to the lip.

Working out the reason matters, because a treatment that suits excess gum will not help if the main factor is lip movement or jaw position. When lip movement or jaw growth is the main factor, we explain what that means for you and whether a referral for further assessment is appropriate.

Dentist showing a patient a planned new gum line drawn on a photo of her smile

Planning your treatment

Gum contouring, crown lengthening and gum lift options

Gum contouring, sometimes called a gum lift or gum recontouring, removes and reshapes a small amount of gum tissue so more of each tooth is exposed and the gum line is more even. It is done under local anaesthetic. The gums are usually tender for several days to a couple of weeks while they heal, and we give you aftercare instructions and check the healing at a review visit.

Crown lengthening is used when the gum and the bone beneath it both sit too far down the tooth. As well as reshaping the gum, it may involve reshaping a small amount of the supporting bone so the new gum line stays stable. Whether you need it is assessed case by case, and healing takes longer than gum contouring alone.

Gum treatment is often combined with other care. Where teeth are small or uneven, porcelain veneers can improve their size and proportion once the gums are healthy. Where crooked teeth are part of the problem, Invisalign can align the teeth with the gum line. Gummy smile correction can also be one stage of a wider smile makeover. Results depend on your anatomy and healing, and individual results vary.

Your options

Gummy smile correction options in Kallangur

Depending on what is causing your gummy smile, your plan may use one or more of these treatments:

Gum Contouring

Reshaping excess gum tissue under local anaesthetic to reveal more of each tooth and even out the gum line.

Crown Lengthening

Adjusting the gum and, where needed, a small amount of the supporting bone, when the gum sits too low on the tooth.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers that change the size and shape of short or uneven front teeth, often after the gum line has been adjusted.

Learn more

Invisalign

Clear aligners that reposition crooked teeth so they sit in better proportion with the gums.

Learn more

Not sure what is causing your gummy smile?

Book a free smile consultation and we will assess your gums, teeth and lip line, then explain the options that suit you and what each involves.

Book a Free Smile Consultation

How it works

How gummy smile treatment works at our Kallangur clinic

Free smile consultation

We look at how much gum shows at rest and when you smile, check your gum health, and take photographs of your smile.

Finding the cause

Your dentist measures your teeth and gums, and may recommend X-rays to check bone levels, so the plan targets the real reason for the gum display.

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Treatment

Gum contouring or crown lengthening is carried out under local anaesthetic. We explain what to expect during healing and give you written aftercare instructions.

Healing and next steps

We review your gums as they settle. Once healed, any planned veneers or other cosmetic work can go ahead with a stable gum line to match.

Good to know

Gummy Smile Treatment - frequently asked

What causes a gummy smile?

A gummy smile can come from extra gum tissue over the teeth, short or worn teeth, a short or very mobile upper lip, crooked teeth, or the way the upper jaw has developed. Often more than one of these is involved. Identifying the main cause is the first step, because it decides which treatment will help.

How is a gummy smile fixed?

It depends on the cause. Excess gum can be reshaped with gum contouring, and crown lengthening can expose more tooth when both the gum and bone sit too low. Short or uneven teeth may be improved with veneers, and crooked teeth with clear aligners. Where the jaw is the main factor, we discuss whether referral for further assessment is appropriate.

How much does gum contouring cost?

Gum contouring is priced according to how many teeth are treated and whether crown lengthening is also needed, so we quote it after assessing you. Your free smile consultation ends with a written estimate, and health fund rebates may apply to some items depending on your cover.

Is gum contouring permanent?

Gum tissue that has been removed does not usually grow back, so results are generally long lasting. Gums can still change over time with age, brushing habits or gum disease, so good home care and regular check-ups help protect the result. Individual results vary.

Does gum contouring hurt?

The treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure rather than pain. Afterwards the gums are usually tender for a few days, and this can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relief and a soft diet. Let us know if you feel anxious and we will take extra time.

How long does gum contouring take?

The appointment length depends on how many teeth are involved, and simpler cases are often completed within one to two hours. Healing then takes several days to a few weeks, and crown lengthening usually needs longer. You may want to plan a quieter day or two after treatment.

What is crown lengthening used for?

Crown lengthening exposes more of a tooth when the gum and the bone beneath it sit too far down, making short-looking teeth appear better proportioned. It is also used before some crowns and veneers so the restoration has enough tooth to hold onto. Because it may involve reshaping bone, suitability is assessed case by case.

Are there risks with gummy smile treatment?

Any procedure on the gums carries some risk, including swelling, tenderness, bleeding during healing, sensitivity, or a gum line that settles slightly differently than planned. We explain the risks that apply to your case before treatment, and you are welcome to seek a second opinion before going ahead.

Still have questions?

Ready to take the next step?

Booking online takes under a minute, or give our friendly team a call - new patients are always welcome.

Book a Free Smile Consultation (07) 3886 0933

Free smile consultation: assessment, options and a plan to your budget ($75 refundable deposit)
A written estimate before any treatment
Local anaesthetic and a calm pace for nervous patients
Preferred provider with Medibank, HCF, Bupa and Westfund

We Are Preferred Providers For