“Had a good experience at this dental clinic. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the dentist explained the treatment clearly. The clinic was clean and the overall experience was comfortable. Would recommend this clinic for dental care.”
Gum contouring
Gum Contouring in Kondapur, Hyderabad
Gum contouring in Kondapur reshapes the gum line to show more of the teeth, or to even out gums that are higher on one side. It is used for a gummy smile caused by extra gum, and only when an examination shows that the gum is the cause.
Elite Dental Clinic is a dental clinic in Kondapur, Hyderabad. This page is medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, a dentist at the clinic, and gum procedures are planned with the clinic's periodontist. It explains how gum reshaping in Kondapur works, when it helps, the risks and the other causes of a gummy smile.
- Anaesthesia
- Local
- Usual time
- About an hour
- Healing
- Days to a few weeks
- Open
- Every day
Open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. If you have pain or swelling, call or send a WhatsApp message before you come so your visit can be planned.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Revathi Indukuri, BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics). Last reviewed . About the reviewer
Quick answer
Gum contouring is a small procedure that trims and reshapes the gum line to expose more of the teeth, used for a gummy smile caused by excess gum or for uneven gums. At Elite Dental Clinic in Hyderabad, the dentist first finds the cause of the gummy smile and plans the new gum line with you.
01 Overview
What is gum contouring and what causes a gummy smile?
Gum contouring, also called gingivoplasty or gingivectomy, removes or reshapes a small amount of gum tissue. A smile in which about 3 mm or more of gum shows is generally perceived as unnatural, and this is often called a gummy smile.1
A gummy smile has more than one cause. The teeth may be partly covered by extra gum, the upper lip may lift too high, the upper lip may be short, or the upper jaw may be set too low. Contouring corrects only the first of these, so the cause has to be found before treatment.1
A related procedure is crown lengthening, which removes some gum and sometimes a little bone to expose more of the tooth. It is more involved and is also used to make room for a crown, see dental crowns. Which one you need depends on the position of the gum and the bone.
Contouring is also used to even out gums that sit at different heights, or to reshape gums that have grown over the teeth. It can be a part of a wider plan, see smile designing and smile makeover.
In short, gum contouring helps when extra gum is the reason for a gummy smile, and not when the cause is lip or jaw.
The dentist keeps to the biological width, the healthy distance between the gum edge and the bone, so the gum stays healthy afterwards.
02 Candidacy
Is gum contouring right for me in Kondapur?
Suitability is decided from an examination, and sometimes an X-ray to see where the bone is. The two lists below describe the general pattern.
Who it may suit
- Teeth that look short because gum covers part of them
- A gum line that is uneven from tooth to tooth
- Healthy gums and enough gum to remove without exposing the root
- A wish for a more balanced smile, with realistic expectations
Needs caution or a different plan
- A gummy smile caused by a high-lifting or short upper lip, or by jaw position
- Gum disease or swelling that must be treated first
- A thin gum or little gum, where reshaping could expose the root
- Not enough space between the gum edge and the bone, which needs crown lengthening instead1
Contouring suits healthy gums that cover too much tooth, and the cause of the gummy smile decides.
03 Options
Which gum reshaping option will I need in Kondapur?
There are a few ways to reshape the gum line. The dentist chooses according to what lies beneath the gum.
Gingivectomy or gingivoplasty for extra gum
A small amount of gum is trimmed away with a fine blade or laser and the edge is shaped to follow the natural curve. It is used when the gum alone covers the tooth and there is enough space above the bone.
About an hour
Crown lengthening when bone is close to the gum edge
If the bone sits too near the edge of the gum, gum and sometimes a little bone must be reshaped so the gum stays at its new height. This is a surgical procedure with a longer healing time, and it is needed more often than people expect.1
Surgical visit
Laser gum contouring for small adjustments
A diode laser may be used for small, precise changes with less bleeding. Settings need care, because too much heat can cause pain, recession or sensitivity.1 See laser gum treatment.
Short visit
Where a gummy smile has another cause, other plans such as braces or a jaw opinion may be better, and the dentist will say so.
| Compared on | Gum contouring | Crown lengthening |
|---|---|---|
| What is changed | Gum only | Gum and sometimes bone |
| Needs space above bone | Yes, enough must be present | No, bone is reshaped |
| Healing | Days to a few weeks | Several weeks |
| Used for | Extra gum over normal teeth | Short teeth with bone close to the gum |
Gum alone can be trimmed when there is space above the bone, and otherwise bone is also reshaped.
04 Procedure
How is gum contouring done, step by step?
Most gum contouring takes about an hour and is done under local anaesthetic. The steps below are what usually happens.
The new gum line is planned, marked, numbed and then shaped.
Finding the cause of the gummy smile and planning the gum line
The dentist looks at your smile, the length of the teeth, the lip and the gum, and may take photos and an X-ray. If gum disease or plaque is the problem, it is treated first, see periodontal treatment.
Marking the new gingival line
The planned gum line is drawn on your gums and shown to you, so you can see what will change. A mock-up or a mirror helps.
Numbing the gums before gingivectomy
A local anaesthetic numbs the gum, and you feel pressure but no pain during the procedure.
Trimming and shaping the gum with a blade or laser
The extra gum is removed along the marked line and the edge is shaped. Bone may be reshaped if the plan is crown lengthening. A laser may be used for small changes, with careful settings.
Protecting the area and aftercare instructions
A protective dressing may be placed. You are given aftercare steps and any medicines, and a review is booked after a week or so.
05 Cost
What decides the cost of gum contouring in Kondapur, Hyderabad?
Treatment is planned for one person, not sold as a product, so the cost follows your evaluation.
Every smile is different, so Elite Dental Clinic does not quote a cost before an examination. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.
What the evaluation looks at
- The number of teeth involved and how much gum is reshaped
- Whether bone also needs reshaping
- Whether a blade, laser or both are used
- The number of review visits
What you decide with the dentist
- Treatment of gum disease or plaque first
- Whether the contouring is part of a wider smile plan such as veneers or whitening
- X-rays needed to plan
Your own gums matter too, because thin or swollen gums change what is possible.
The cost follows the plan, and the plan follows the evaluation.
06 Aftercare
What is it like to recover from gum contouring?
Healing is usually quick. The steps below help the gums settle.
The first days
The gums are tender, and there may be slight bleeding. Eat soft, cool food and avoid hot, spicy and crunchy food. Take only the medicines advised.
Cleaning the area
Brush the other teeth as usual. Near the treated gums, use a very soft brush and rinse gently with salt water or the mouthwash the dentist advises. Do not pick at the area.
Swelling and sensitivity
Mild swelling and sensitivity to cold are common for a few days. If the gum looks white at first, it should turn pink as it heals.
Reviews and smoking
Attend the review so the dentist can check healing. Do not smoke while the gums heal, because it slows healing and raises the risk of problems.
When to call us
Call the clinic the same day if bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure, if pain gets worse after the third day, if you have a fever or pus, or if the gum pulls away from a tooth. If swelling spreads to the face or neck, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Gentle cleaning, soft food and a review let the gums settle.
07 Limits
When is gum contouring the wrong choice?
The dentist may delay or avoid contouring in these situations:
- The gummy smile comes from the lip or the jaw and not the gum.
- Gum disease or heavy plaque is present, which must be treated first.
- There is too little gum or the root would be exposed.
- The bone is too close to the gum edge, so contouring alone would not last.1
- A patient who smokes heavily or has conditions that affect healing, until these are discussed.
If gums have receded instead, see gum grafting. If you also want to change the teeth, see veneers and teeth whitening.
Risks and complications
The risks include pain and bleeding, swelling, tooth sensitivity, infection, gums that heal unevenly, and gum recession that exposes the root. If too much gum is removed, it cannot be put back.
In procedures that use a laser, too much heat can burn the tissue and cause pain, recession and sensitivity, so the settings are kept low.1
The gum can grow back partly if the cause was not treated, and results vary between people. No one can promise that a gummy smile will be fully corrected or that the change will last.
Removed gum cannot be put back, so careful planning matters more than speed.
08 Your visit
What happens at your first gum contouring appointment in Kondapur?
At the first visit the dentist looks at your smile, the length of your teeth and the level of your gums, checks for gum disease and may take photos and X-rays. You are told what is causing your gummy smile and which options would help. You receive a written plan that lists each stage before any treatment starts.
Tell the dentist what you would like to change, and bring photos if you have them. Tell them about your health, medicines and any gum disease you have had.
The team speaks English, Telugu and Hindi. You are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment.
The first visit finds the cause and ends with a plan, not a commitment.
09 Why this clinic
Why choose Elite Dental Clinic for gum contouring in Kondapur?
Medical reviewer of this page
Dr. Revathi Indukuri
BDS, MDS (Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics)
BDS, Sree Sai Dental College Research Institute, 2009
MDS, Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, Andhra Pradesh, 2016
Gum contouring can make a real difference to a smile, but only when the gum is the reason for the gummy smile. If the cause is a short upper lip or the position of the jaw, shaving gum will not fix it and can leave you worse off. I look for the cause first, then I tell you what is realistic.
Dr. Revathi Indukuri
Dr. Revathi Indukuri reviewed this page as a dentist at the clinic. The clinic's team board lists a periodontist, whose speciality is the gums and the bone around the teeth, and orthodontists and a prosthodontist, who help when the cause of a gummy smile lies in the teeth or the jaw.
A periodontist on the team
The team board lists a periodontist, who works with the gums and the bone that sits beneath them.
The cause comes first
You are told if the gum is not the cause of your gummy smile, before any gum is removed.
A written plan before treatment
You receive a written plan before any treatment starts, so you know what is being done.
The new gum line is shown first
The planned gum line is marked on your gums and shown to you before anything is cut.
A periodontist, cause first and a new gum line shown beforehand are what this clinic stands behind.
10 Reviews
Patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic in Kondapur
Recent patient reviews of Elite Dental Clinic
“Very excellent service provided and dr Revathi mam was very kind and done too professional service..towards patient.. I am very happy that I got to know about elite dental clinic”
“Very good treatment and I had an excellent experience at this dental hospital.”
11 Visit us
Dentist in Kondapur, Hyderabad: location, hours and access
Elite Dental Clinic
2nd floor, Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics
Kondapur, Raghavendra Colony, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, Telangana 500084
070320 78789
Kondapur, Raghavendra Colony, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, Telangana 500084
070320 78789
| Monday to Sunday | 9:00 am to 9:00 pm |
|---|
The clinic is on the second floor of Artham's Arcade, above Vijaya Diagnostics, in Raghavendra Colony.
Patients looking for gummy smile treatment in Kondapur will find the clinic above Vijaya Diagnostics in Artham's Arcade, Raghavendra Colony. Languages spoken: English, Telugu and Hindi. More about the clinic: dentist in Kondapur.
The clinic is on the second floor above Vijaya Diagnostics and is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
12 Travelling patients
Gum contouring in Hyderabad for patients from other cities and countries
Gum contouring is a short procedure, but the gums need a review about a week later, so plan for at least a week in Hyderabad. Connect with the clinic on WhatsApp or by phone before you travel, and the team will help plan your visit. Send a clear smile photo if you can.
If the contouring is part of a wider smile plan with veneers or whitening, ask the team about the order and timing, because the gum needs to heal before teeth are shaped.
Ask for your records, X-rays and a written summary before you leave. The clinic is open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and the team speaks English, Hindi and Telugu.
Plan the visits before you travel, and take your records home.
13 Questions
Gum contouring questions from patients in Kondapur
What is gum contouring?
It is a small procedure that trims and reshapes the gum line to show more of the teeth, used for a gummy smile caused by excess gum or for gums that sit at uneven heights. It is done under local anaesthetic with a fine blade or a laser.
Is gum contouring painful?
The gums are numbed with local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure but not pain. The gums are tender for a few days afterwards, and you may notice sensitivity to cold. The dentist advises pain relief.
How long does gum contouring take to heal?
Most people feel back to normal within a few days, and the gums continue to settle over a few weeks. Crown lengthening, which involves bone, takes longer. A review is booked after about a week.
Will my gummy smile be fully corrected?
Only if extra gum is the cause. If the cause is a high-lifting or short lip, or the position of the jaw, contouring will not correct it fully. The dentist finds the cause first and tells you what is realistic.
Will the new gum line last?
Removed gum does not come back by itself, but gums can regrow partly if the cause is not controlled, and results vary. Treating gum disease and keeping the gums healthy helps the result last. No one can promise a lasting change.
What is the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?
Contouring reshapes the gum only. Crown lengthening also reshapes a little bone, so the gum stays at its new height. Which one you need depends on how close the bone is to the edge of the gum.
How is the cost of gum contouring decided?
The cost is given after the examination. The number of teeth, whether bone is reshaped, whether a blade or laser is used, and any treatment needed first all change the plan. You receive a written plan before treatment starts.
Can gum contouring be combined with veneers or whitening?
Yes, as part of a smile plan. The gum is reshaped first and allowed to heal before teeth are shaped or whitened, so the final result matches the new gum line. The dentist sets the order with you.
14 Second opinion
Do your gums show too much when you smile?
Book an examination and the dentist will find out whether it is the gum, the lip or the jaw, and tell you what is realistic. Call or send a WhatsApp message to book. The visit is the first step, and you are under no obligation to go ahead with treatment.
15 Related
Treatments often considered alongside gum contouring
Laser gum treatment
A laser can be used for small, precise gum changes.
Smile makeover
Gum shaping can be one part of a wider smile plan.
Gum grafting
For gums that have receded instead of covering too much.
Sources
- Gummy smile correction with diode laser: two case reports, Journal of International Oral Health, 2015
- Gum disease, NHS
- Gum disease, American Dental Association, MouthHealthy
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination, and results vary between patients.