A beautiful smile is primarily created by even, white teeth. However, we don’t always realise that the appearance of our gums greatly affects our smile as well. Sometimes, the gums cover too much of the tooth surface, leading to an unattractive smile. Fortunately, there is a solution: gum contouring.
Gingivoplasty (also called gum correction) is a surgical procedure performed on the gums. Developmental defects such as exposed tooth necks, overgrown or uneven gums, can be corrected if they cause practical or aesthetic concerns. In cases of gum recession caused by poor oral hygiene, such treatment is medically necessary, as exposed tooth necks can lead to pain and difficulty eating. When there is too much gum tissue, it often affects the aesthetics of the teeth.
Gingivoplasty is a specialised surgical procedure used in dentistry to treat irregular, asymmetrical gum shapes, for instance, overgrowth resulting from previous inflammation. This condition disrupts the pink-and-white aesthetic, where gums become too prominent concerning the short crowns of the teeth (the so-called "gummy smile"). Reshaping such gums helps restore the correct gum-to-tooth ratio and achieve a beautiful, harmonious smile. The procedure may also be required in cases of subgingival crown fractures or cavities.