Noticed more gum than tooth when you smile? There's usually a clear reason behind it. Your gums play a big part in how your teeth look, influencing how long they appear and how their shape comes across when you smile.
Gum contouring, also called a gum lift, reshapes the gum line to reveal more of your natural teeth. You'll see the new gum line straight away, and it continues to settle as your gums heal over the following weeks.
It's the right treatment for some people, and for others the cause lies elsewhere, so the first step is finding out which applies to you. At Adawn we will look at your teeth, gums and smile together, take x-rays, and explain whether gum contouring is the right treatment for you.
Book Online30-150 min
Laser $320/tooth
Surgical $450/tooth
Gum contouring can make teeth look longer and even out a gum line that sits unevenly across the front teeth. It changes the gum line only. It does not move the upper lip, and it does not change the colour or the underlying shape of the teeth.
Before treatment we use photographs, 3D scans and x-rays to plan how much gum to remove from each tooth and where the new gum line should sit. Planning makes the gum contouring more predictable.
When the cause is excess gum and the right technique is used, the change is usually long term, but it is not guaranteed. In some people the gum grows back, and a second procedure may be needed at additional cost. This is more common with the laser gum lift compared to the crown lengthening surgery. Because tissue is removed, the procedure cannot be reversed.
Laser contouring usually does not need stitches, and recovery time is minimal. Surgical contouring involves stitches and swelling for 3-4 days, and the gums take around 2 weeks to completely settle. As everyone heals differently, we will discuss aftercare with you and always review the healing.
There are several reasons someone may show more gum when they smile. One of the most common is a short or very active upper lip. In that case the teeth and gums can often be treated with other options.
In other cases, however, the lips and teeth may be in the right position, but the gums are too thick, resulting in short teeth that look squarish. This is called ‘altered passive eruption’ and is due to the gums not moving upwards towards their natural position during growth and thereby covering some of the natural enamel underneath. There is often a genetic tendency to this condition.
Finally in some situations, people may have short teeth and a gummy smile due to wearing of the teeth because of teeth clenching or grinding. Each cause has a specific treatment and so it is important that your treating dentist performs a thorough analysis to determine the correct diagnosis and treatment for your condition.
A gum lift is a dental procedure that reshapes and raises the gum line. Depending on the cause, it either removes gum tissue alone, or gum tissue and a small amount of the bone around the tooth if there is excess bone. There are two approaches, laser and surgical. It is vital that you have a thorough consultation to determine which procedure is suited to you.
A dental laser is used to remove excess gum and reshape the gum line. It is done under local anaesthetic and usually does not need stitches. Most people have tenderness for a few days, and some have swelling. Laser alone is only suitable when there is enough distance between the gum and the bone underneath. If the new gum line would sit too close to the bone, the gum is likely to grow back, and the surgical approach is needed instead. Book a consult
This is needed when the bone sits too close to where the new gum line should be. Under local anaesthetic, the gum is lifted, a small amount of bone is reshaped, and the gum is stitched in its new position. Expect swelling and discomfort for 3-4 days, stitches for about a week, and around two weeks before the gums settle completely. The gum line continues to mature for some months afterwards. Book a consult
Both techniques carry risks and need recovery time. Read about treatment considerations and risks here.
Before/After
Before/After
Before/After
Illustration only, not a patient result.
These drawings show the kinds of gum line concerns contouring is used for. They are not a prediction of your result. What can change for you depends on the cause of your gum display, which we assess at the consultation.
We get to know you and your smile by taking photos, x-rays, and a 3D digital photographic scan of your mouth, as well as a video of you talking and smiling from different angles. We also undertake a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. This becomes the basis of our full smile analysis.
Sometimes during this appointment, a 3D x-ray called a CBCT is required to determine exactly where the jawbone is relative to the gums so that we can recommend the right type of gummy smile treatment for you. This x-ray can be taken on-site, and we can inform you straight away of what your options and estimated fees will be.
We digitise your smile and perform a smile design analysis so that we can provide you with a digital before and after of what your new smile will look like after the gum lift procedure.
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, and we sculpt and reshape the gum, and bone where needed, following the plan. You can listen to music or watch something while we work. Before you leave, we go through aftercare and pain relief with you in writing.
About four weeks later we check how the gums have healed. The gum line continues to settle for several months, so this is not always the result.
These are photographs of our own patients. The images are unretouched and unfiltered. Results vary between individuals, and the outcome shown here is specific to that patient. Each outcome is specific to that person’s teeth, gums and bite, and is not an indication of what anyone else may experience. Some of these patients had other treatment as well, which is listed with each case. Gum contouring is surgery and carries risks, including pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, sensitivity, gum regrowth and an uneven result that may need further treatment. Please read about treatment considerations and risk here. You are welcome to seek a second opinion from another registered dental practitioner before deciding.
Treatment considerations and risks
Show after
Time Taken After Procedure: 4 months apart
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Time Taken After Procedure: 3 months
Show after
Time Taken After Procedure: 4 months
Show after
Time Taken After Procedure: 6 months
Show after
Time Taken After Procedure: 3 months
Show after
Time Taken After Procedure: 3 months
We’ve carefully curated our space to make the time you spend at Adawn as enjoyable, calming and comfortable as possible.
We take time to explain what treatment involves and what it will cost, so nothing comes as a surprise. Every clinical room is cleaned, and every instrument sterilised between patients, our team wears full personal protective equipment, and our infection control meets Victorian Department of Health requirements.
The technology available can completely change the patient experience and so we invest in the best. The state-of-the-art equipment we have in house means we can craft finer restorations, detect problems earlier, reduce treatment time and even create custom appliances when we need to.
Going to the dentist can be uncomfortable and intimidating. It may even make you anxious. At Adawn, you are always in control of your experience. We have several options available to help our patients feel as comfortable as possible from Netflix and noise cancelling headphones, head rests and blankets, right through to sedation or general anaesthetic. We’re not comfortable unless you are.
We know that some dental procedures can be a significant investment for most people. That’s why we use industry leading digital planning software that allows you to trial your smile before committing.
*Where each tooth sits in the range depends on how much reshaping it needs. Your written treatment plan sets out the fee for every tooth before you book.
A consultation is booked first and is charged separately at $90.
Most people have more than one tooth treated, so your total fee depends on how many teeth are involved and which technique each one needs. You will receive a written treatment plan before you book the procedure.
Any x-rays needed for planning are included, except a CBCT 3D scan. A CBCT is only needed in some cases, and your dentist will tell you before it is taken and quote you at the time.
Fees current as of September 2026 and subject to change. Payment plan options: payment plans and health insurance.
We accept a variety of private health funds. Enter your health fund below to check that we accept yours.
DR ANGELOS SOURIAL, PRINCIPAL DENTIST
(DEN0001043321) Registered Dentist, General Registration
There are several possible reasons for a gummy smile, and more than one can apply to the same person. At your consultation, we look at your face, lips, teeth and gums together, take measurements, and often take x-rays to see where the bone sits under the gums and how much tooth is covered. Once your dentist has looked at all of this, they'll explain what's causing it, which treatment (if any) is likely to suit you, and the risks and recovery involved.
Like any surgery, a gum lift carries risks. The most common are pain, swelling and bleeding in the days afterwards. Less commonly, people experience infection, sensitivity if more of the root surface is exposed than planned, small dark gaps between the teeth near the gum line, a gum line that heals unevenly, or gum that grows back and needs further treatment. Removing bone is permanent. We check where the roots and bone sit before treatment to reduce these risks, and we will go through what applies to you before you decide.
See treatment considerations and risks here.
A gum lift shows more of the tooth that was already there, so teeth look longer. Many people find this looks unfamiliar at first, and it can take time to get used to. We plan how much gum to remove so the result suits your face and smile, and we will show you the plan at the consultation. If your teeth are already long, we may recommend removing less gum or not treating at all.
After laser contouring, the gums are usually tender for a few days. After surgical contouring, expect swelling for three to four days and around two weeks before the gums settle, and plan for lighter activity for the first 48 hours. In both cases the gum line continues to mature for several months. Healing varies between people, and smoking slows it.
Yes, in some people. Regrowth is more likely when laser alone is used where the bone needed adjusting too, which is why we check the bone level first. If the gum does grow back, a further procedure may be needed, at an additional fee.
We accept all private health funds. Some private health funds with extras cover part of the cost, but coverage differs between funds and policies. Ask your fund directly, quoting the item numbers on your written quote: 231 for gingivectomy, per tooth, and 238 for crown lengthening, per tooth.
Both laser and surgical contouring are done under local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure but not sharp pain during the procedure. The surgical contouring does involve some vibration, so to help you relax, you can wear noise-cancelling headphones and watch your favourite shows while we work.
Once the anaesthetic wears off, most people have some tenderness. This is usually mild after laser contouring and more noticeable after surgical contouring. We recommend over-the-counter pain relief for the first few days and will tell you what to take. Contact us if the pain is getting worse rather than better.
Yes. Gum grafts treat gum recession, where the gum has shrunk back and exposed more of the root. It is the opposite of a gummy smile. The graft can use tissue taken from another part of your mouth, usually the palate, or a graft material of animal origin. Taking tissue from the palate means a second area that needs to heal. Book a consultation to find out whether a graft is suitable for you.
Oral Wellness is the foundation of a healthy and beautiful smile, that lasts a lifetime. A healthy smile is an essential part of a healthy body, as the mouth is the gateway to the rest of our body. At Adawn, your Oral Wellness Visit is comprehensive and preventative- it includes a thorough dental check-up, teeth cleaning and screening to ensure your mouth receives the care it needs to remain healthy, fresh, beautiful and disease-free.
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Dental implants are a strong and natural-looking replacement for missing teeth, that help you to eat and smile more confidently. Now the gold standard of replacing missing teeth, a dental implant mimics your natural tooth root, anchoring to your jawbone and providing a solid foundation for a ceramic crown or bridge to fill the space created by the missing tooth. Designed and executed by our expert dentist, Dr Angelos Sourial and crafted by a master ceramist, the replacement tooth is created to match your natural teeth. Therefore, restoring your smile to its natural aesthetic, as well as supporting you to enjoy the food you love once more.
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Every day, our team of experienced dentists complete Invisalign® treatments for our patients. Invisalign® is a series of customised, clear, removable aligners that are designed to straighten your smile. They are removable, so they come out when you eat and when you clean your teeth. When we plan a case at Adawn we look beyond straight teeth and function. We look at your facial features, how your teeth sit against your lips when you speak and when you smile, how your bite works, and what you want from treatment, so the plan is built around you.
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Coffee, tea, red wine, a favourite pasta sauce. Over time, the things we enjoy can gradually darken the colour of our teeth. It’s one of the most common things people ask us about. Whitening toothpastes work on surface stains. Professional whitening products can lighten discolouration within the tooth, and everyone’s teeth respond a little differently. So, your whitening starts with a conversation with one of our dentists. We take our time. We’ll check your teeth and gums, talk through what may be causing the discolouration, and let you know whether whitening is likely to suit you. If it isn’t, we’ll tell you plainly. Then it’s your choice: whiten in the chair at the studio, or at home with trays we make in-house to fit your teeth.
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