Teeth Contouring & Gum Reshaping

Even small differences in the shape or length of your teeth, or in the position of your gums, can affect the overall balance of your smile. Uneven edges, minor chips, an irregular gumline, or a gummy smile can all make an otherwise healthy smile look less even.

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At MacArthur Dental Arts in Irvine, CA, teeth contouring and gum reshaping are two conservative cosmetic treatments that address these concerns from different angles, one refining the tooth itself, the other adjusting the surrounding gum tissue. Depending on your needs, either procedure may be completed in a single visit.

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Teeth Contouring

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Teeth contouring, also called dental reshaping, carefully removes a small amount of enamel to refine the shape and appearance of selected teeth. It may be considered when teeth are slightly uneven, irregularly shaped, longer than surrounding teeth, rough along the edges, or minorly chipped. Because enamel does not grow back, your dentist will evaluate the thickness and condition of your enamel before recommending treatment, and the procedure is generally reserved for minor cosmetic changes rather than major alterations.

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Gum Reshaping

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Gum reshaping, also known as gum contouring, changes the contour of the gum tissue around one or more teeth. Excess gum tissue is carefully removed or reshaped to create a more even gumline, and in some cases the procedure may also involve reshaping a small amount of underlying bone. Gum reshaping may be recommended for excess gum tissue that makes teeth appear short, an uneven gumline, a gummy smile caused by excess tissue, or to expose additional tooth structure before a restorative treatment such as a crown.

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Good Candidates for Contouring or Reshaping

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• Minor chips, overlaps, or uneven tooth edges
• Teeth that are slightly too pointed, long, or irregular in shape
• Excess gum tissue covering the teeth or an uneven gumline
• A gummy smile related to excess gum tissue
• Patients seeking subtle results without orthodontics

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What to Expect at Your Appointment

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Teeth contouring involves gently smoothing or reshaping small areas of enamel with precise dental instruments; because enamel has no nerves, the procedure is typically well tolerated without anesthesia. Gum reshaping begins with numbing the treatment area with local anesthesia, after which your dentist carefully removes or reshapes the excess or uneven tissue. Some tenderness or swelling can occur after gum reshaping, and your dentist will provide aftercare instructions such as eating softer foods temporarily and brushing carefully around the treated area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Is teeth contouring permanent?

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Yes, the enamel removed during contouring does not grow back, so the change to the tooth shape is permanent. Your dentist will carefully assess your teeth before recommending treatment.

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Does teeth contouring hurt?

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Teeth contouring is generally well tolerated because it involves only the outer enamel, which does not contain nerves.

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Is gum reshaping the same as crown lengthening?

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They can overlap, but they're not always the same. Gum reshaping generally refers to contouring gum tissue for cosmetic purposes, while crown lengthening may involve removing gum tissue and sometimes bone to expose more tooth structure for restorative treatment.

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Does gum reshaping hurt?

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Local anesthesia is used during the procedure to numb the treatment area. Some tenderness or sensitivity can occur afterward while the gums heal.

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Can gum reshaping treat a gummy smile?

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It may help when excess gum tissue is responsible for the appearance of a gummy smile. Other causes may require a different treatment approach.

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Schedule a Consultation

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Contact MacArthur Dental Arts at (949) 251-8544 to see if contouring or gum reshaping could refine your smile.