Comfortable procedure
It is often performed without separate anesthesia, keeping the treatment burden low.
Gum Contouring & Bleaching
A smooth, even gum line —
where teeth and gums meet naturally
A gummy smile or an uneven, bumpy gum line can be reshaped into something smooth and balanced. When gums stand out, sit asymmetrically, or make teeth look small, contouring reveals the hidden tooth and tidies the line for a natural-looking smile.
ESTHETIC CARE Gingivoplasty
What is gum contouring?
When gums draw too much attention, sit unevenly from side to side, or cover so much of the tooth that it looks small, contouring reveals the hidden tooth and reshapes the gum line into a smooth, even curve.
Indications
When does gum contouring help?
A gummy smile — gums showing broadly when you smile — carries a higher chance of gingivitis and periodontitis, so we recommend treating it rather than leaving it for years.
- Gums show excessively when you smile (gummy smile)
- The left and right gum lines are asymmetric
- Gums cover much of the tooth, making teeth look small
- Gums have overgrown from inflammation or medication side effects
- The gum between teeth looks dark red or abnormally swollen
- Receding, notched gums expose the root — sensitivity, or teeth that look long
Method
How the gum line is reshaped
Trimming overgrown or swollen gums is planned together with root-clearance adjustments and complementary work, so the teeth do not turn sensitive afterward.
| Compare | With laminate veneers | Laser contouring alone |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | A narrow crown-root junction with small-looking teeth | A sufficient junction and well-proportioned teeth |
| How it works | Laminates are placed together, wrapping the exposed root area | A laser removes the excess gum and refines the line |
| What to expect | A neat line with less chance of sensitivity | A symmetric, scalloped line in relatively little time |
Gum contouring adjusts the line where gum meets tooth — so when needed, it is recommended together with tooth reshaping to keep teeth from becoming sensitive.
Gum Bleaching
What is gum bleaching?
Gums darkened by congenital or acquired pigmentation, or by nicotine staining from smoking, can be treated with a laser or dedicated agents that break down the melanin deposits — you can expect the gum color to look brighter and healthier.
Laser Bleaching
Why laser gum bleaching?
The laser approach is designed to keep both the procedure and the recovery burden low.
Short treatment time
A session usually wraps up within 20 to 30 minutes.
Less swelling and bleeding
Swelling and bleeding after the procedure tend to be minimal, making it easier to get back to your day.
Relatively quick recovery
Recovery is comparatively fast, so you can see the result within a short time.
A beautiful smile owes as much to the shape and color of your gums as to the shape of your teeth.
Why Gummy
What causes a gummy smile — the cause picks the method
Gums can show too much for more than one reason. Where the problem originates decides whether contouring is the answer — or whether a different approach is needed.
Gum covering the tooth
The tooth never fully emerged and sits partly under the gum, looking short — the classic contouring case. Revealing the hidden tooth restores the proportions.
Gum overgrowth
Gums swollen by inflammation or medication side effects. The cause must be managed alongside the reshaping, or the overgrowth returns.
A high-lifting upper lip
If gums and teeth are normal but the lip rises high when smiling, contouring may not be the right tool — we tell you honestly at diagnosis.
Skeletal causes
When the upper jaw itself is long, contouring alone improves things only so far. We set the realistic range of expectations in advance.
Process
The process
When planned with veneers, the gum line is refined first and the shells are designed to the settled line.
- 01
Gum assessment
We evaluate asymmetry, display, and inflammation. Active inflammation is treated first with periodontal care.
- 02
Line design
The new line is planned around tooth proportion and the smile line — together with the final shell design when veneers are involved.
- 03
Contouring
The gum is reshaped along the planned line; tooth reshaping is added when needed to prevent sensitivity.
- 04
Healing & review
Healing is monitored, and when veneers follow, we proceed once the gum line has settled.
FAQ
Gum contouring & bleaching — FAQ
01 Does gum contouring hurt?
It is performed under local anesthesia, so discomfort during the procedure is limited. Mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days afterward is possible and usually settles quickly — we walk you through aftercare.
02 Will the gum grow back down?
When only the soft-tissue line is trimmed shallowly, partial rebound can occur. Depending on how much change is needed, we decide at planning whether the underlying bone line should be refined too — and tell you the realistic stability outlook in advance.
03 If I combine this with veneers, what is the order?
Typically the gum line is contoured and allowed to settle first, then the veneers are designed and bonded to that line. Treating gums and tooth form in one design improves the balance of the whole smile.
04 How long is recovery?
Daily life resumes the same day for most patients. Surface healing takes about one to two weeks — avoid spicy foods and rough brushing in that window.
05 How is gum bleaching different from gum contouring?
Contouring reshapes the line of the gums; bleaching lightens gums darkened by pigmentation, using a laser. Whether your concern is line or color decides which — or both — we plan.
06 How long does gum bleaching last?
The removed melanin does not simply return, but continued smoking can bring nicotine staining back. How long the result holds depends on habits, and re-treatment is possible if pigmentation recurs.
07 My gums are inflamed — can I have contouring right away?
Inflamed gums are swollen, which makes the line impossible to design accurately and slows healing. Scaling and gum treatment come first; the line is planned on settled, healthy tissue.
08 Will contouring fully fix my gummy smile?
It depends on the cause. When gum covers the tooth, clear improvement can be expected from contouring alone; when the lip or the jaw skeleton is the driver, the achievable change is more limited. We classify the cause at diagnosis and set realistic expectations.
09 When can I eat after gum contouring?
The same day — but while the area heals over one to two weeks, avoid spicy and hot foods, alcohol, and smoking. Smoking in particular slows gum healing and is best paused through recovery.
10 What does gum contouring cost?
Gum contouring is disclosed at KRW 120,000 per tooth and gum bleaching at KRW 120,000 per tooth (as of 2026). When combined with veneers the plan varies with scope, so the exact fee is confirmed after diagnosis.
11 Will my teeth feel sensitive after contouring?
Where the lowered gum exposes the tooth neck, sensitivity can follow — so depending on the junction, tooth reshaping or veneers are planned alongside to protect the exposed surface. Preventing sensitivity at the planning stage is our rule.
12 What does a natural gum line look like?
Symmetry across the central incisors, with each gum peak tracing a gentle scalloped curve. It only reads natural when designed with tooth proportion and the smile line — and with veneers involved, teeth and gums can be finished as one design.
This page is general information about the treatment. Diagnosis, treatment options, and duration vary by individual condition — an in-person examination is how we plan your actual care.
That uneven gum line — have it smoothed
From gummy smiles to gum pigmentation, we’ll recommend the right approach after an exam. Reception until 5:30 pm weekdays, 12:30 pm Saturdays.