Contact us to get an appointment scheduled
Enhance your smile with gum contouring in Dunwoody, GA, reshaping uneven gum lines to create a more balanced, attractive, and confident appearance.
You brush twice a day, floss, and keep every cleaning appointment, but when you smile in photos, something still feels off. For some patients, the issue has nothing to do with their teeth at all. It comes down to the gumline, specifically how much of it shows and whether it frames the teeth evenly. A smile where the gums dominate the picture or dip and rise unevenly across the teeth is one of those things you notice constantly once you become aware of it, and it can make even a healthy, well-cared-for smile feel like it’s falling short.
At Brightworks Dentistry in Dunwoody, GA, gum contouring is one of the cosmetic procedures we approach with both clinical precision and an eye for aesthetics. Gum contouring reshapes the gumline by removing excess tissue, evening out irregular contours, or restoring tissue where gums have receded. Dr. Patrice Robbins and Dr. Preston Shurley bring complementary skills to every cosmetic case. If you’ve been exploring options for a smile makeover, gum contouring may be what brings your whole smile into proportion.
Ready to transform your smile and restore complete oral function? Let our team provide comprehensive restoration that brings your confident, healthy smile back together.
Comprehensive airway treatments and family dental services with payment plans that work for your budget.
Gum contouring addresses a range of concerns related to how soft tissue frames the teeth. Many patients come to us because their teeth appear short or stubby, not because the teeth themselves are small, but because excess gum tissue covers a significant portion of each tooth’s surface.
Others have a gumline that rises higher on some teeth than on others, creating a visual imbalance across the smile. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gum graft surgery and root coverage procedures are designed to cover exposed roots, reduce further recession, and protect vulnerable tooth roots from decay. In these cases, gum contouring may involve grafting tissue from another area of the mouth to restore an appropriate gumline, making the procedure both cosmetic and functional. Whether you’re dealing with a gummy smile or receding gums, reshaping the gumline produces a more symmetrical appearance and allows more of the natural tooth to show.
Gum contouring is typically completed in a single office visit and takes approximately one to two hours, depending on how many teeth are involved. Local anesthesia is administered to keep you comfortable throughout, and most patients report minimal discomfort during the procedure. We use soft tissue laser technology, which allows us to precisely sculpt the gumline while minimizing bleeding and reducing overall recovery time compared to traditional scalpel-based methods.
Most patients return to their regular routine within one to two days following gum contouring. Some mild soreness, swelling, and sensitivity in the gum tissue are normal for the first week to ten days. We recommend a soft diet during this period, including foods like yogurt, soup, and smoothies, and avoiding anything hard, spicy, or acidic until the tissue has fully healed. Gently rinsing with a mild, non-irritating mouthwash also supports healing. A follow-up appointment allows us to check on your progress and confirm the tissue is healing as expected.
Gum tissue does not regenerate once it has been removed, which means the results of gum contouring are permanent. Maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular dental checkups protects your results and supports the long-term health of your gums and teeth. For patients who received a tissue graft, following post-operative care instructions closely gives the new tissue the best chance to integrate and remain stable over time.
Gum contouring can be a standalone procedure or part of a broader smile enhancement plan. Many patients choose to pair it with porcelain veneers to address both the frame and the surface of the teeth at once. Others combine it with teeth whitening to brighten the teeth, now that more of the tooth surface is visible. If you are also interested in improving tooth shape or addressing minor chips, cosmetic bonding pairs well with gum contouring to refine the overall appearance of your smile.
Gum contouring is as much an artistic procedure as it is a clinical one. The goal is a gumline proportionate to your specific teeth and face, and achieving that requires both surgical precision and an eye for aesthetics. At Brightworks Dentistry, Dr. Preston Shurley holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and brings that background to every cosmetic case. Dr. Patrice Robbins is an active member of the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has pursued extensive continuing education in cosmetic treatment, including hands-on training at the Spear Education Center. Together, they bring a level of care to gum contouring that goes well beyond the mechanics of the procedure.
Our iTero digital scanner allows us to map your gumline and tooth structure precisely before treatment begins, giving us a clear picture of your anatomy and helping us plan the exact degree of contouring needed. We take the time to walk through your goals with you, show you what is possible, and make sure you feel confident in your treatment plan before we move forward. As a fee-for-service practice, we are not driven by insurance timelines or volume pressures. Every appointment is focused entirely on you and the outcome you’re after.
Dr. Patrice Robbins and Dr. Preston Shurley provide comprehensive full mouth restoration services that address even the most complex dental challenges in Dunwoody. Dr. Robbins combines her extensive cosmetic training with a thorough understanding of functional dentistry, ensuring that full mouth restorations deliver both beautiful aesthetics and optimal bite function. Her collaborative approach through professional study groups and continuing education keeps her current with the latest techniques in comprehensive rehabilitation, allowing her to create treatment plans that address each patient’s unique needs and goals.
Dr. Shurley’s Advanced General Dentistry residency and military experience provided intensive training in complex rehabilitation cases and full mouth reconstruction techniques. His artistic background brings precision and attention to detail essential for creating natural-looking, harmonious results across multiple teeth and procedures. His comprehensive understanding of implant placement, restorative procedures, and bite mechanics ensures that full mouth restorations function properly while delivering the aesthetic transformation patients desire for renewed confidence and quality of life.
If your gumline has been the one thing keeping your smile from feeling complete, gum contouring may be a quicker, simpler solution than you expect. Our doctors bring both clinical skill and genuine artistry to every case, approaching each gumline as it deserves: as one part of a smile that belongs specifically to you. We would be glad to walk you through exactly what the process would look like and what kind of results are realistic for your situation. For patients without insurance, our Be Brilliant Club membership plan offers a straightforward way to access quality dental care at reduced fees.
When you are ready to take the next step, Brightworks Dentistry is here. Contact our office to schedule your consultation in Dunwoody, GA, and let us show you what a properly framed smile can do for your confidence.
