Gum Contouring in Istanbul, Turkey

Written by Sedef Özdemir · Content Specialist

Medically reviewed by Dr. Mine Helvacıoğlu Özkardeş, Prosthodontist

14+ years of experience in smile design, veneers, and implant-supported restorations.

Last reviewed: 4 August 2026

What Is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring is a procedure that reshapes the soft gum tissue around your teeth. It’s used to reduce a “gummy smile,” where a larger proportion of gum shows relative to tooth when you smile, or to even out a gum line that’s uneven across different teeth.

What Smile Concerns Can Gum Contouring Improve?

Gum contouring addresses a gum line that shows more than you’d like when you smile, gum tissue that’s uneven from tooth to tooth, or a smile that looks “short” because teeth are partially covered by excess gum tissue rather than because the teeth themselves are actually short.

Will Gum Contouring Improve Your Smile Line?

For many patients, yes, a more even, proportionate gum line can make a noticeable difference to how balanced a smile looks, sometimes even more than changes to the teeth themselves. If your teeth are already the right length but partly hidden by excess gum tissue, contouring can reveal more of your natural tooth without needing to touch the teeth at all.

Types of Gum Contouring

Laser gum contouring. Uses a dental laser to precisely reshape gum tissue, often with less bleeding and a comfortable recovery.
Traditional scalpel contouring. Uses a surgical blade to reshape the gum line, an established technique still used in many cases depending on the extent of reshaping needed.
Contouring combined with crown lengthening. For cases where more tooth needs to be exposed, contouring may be combined with removing a small amount of the bone beneath the gum, a more involved procedure than soft tissue reshaping alone.

Which technique applies to your case depends on how much reshaping is needed, confirmed at consultation.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate?

Most patients with a gummy smile or uneven gum line, and generally healthy gums otherwise, are candidates for contouring. Active gum disease is generally treated first, since reshaping is planned on healthy tissue for a predictable, stable result.

This section is general information. Individual candidacy can only be confirmed after a clinical examination, medical history review, and diagnostic imaging by a qualified dentist.

When May Gum Contouring Not Be Suitable?

If a gummy smile is caused mainly by how your jaw or lip moves, rather than by excess gum tissue itself, contouring alone may have limited effect, and your dentist may discuss this openly rather than recommend a procedure unlikely to achieve your goal. Active gum disease also needs to be treated before any cosmetic reshaping.

Your Smile Consultation and Assessment

Share a photo of your smile through our contact form or WhatsApp, and our team follows up with an initial assessment. Your dentist confirms in person whether your concern is genuinely excess gum tissue, and how much reshaping would achieve a natural, proportionate result.

How Is Your Smile Designed?

Your dentist maps out your ideal gum line based on your tooth proportions, facial features, and how much gum shows naturally when you smile, aiming for a line that follows the natural curve of your teeth rather than a uniform straight edge.

Choosing the Right Tooth Shape and Proportions

Gum contouring itself doesn’t change tooth shape, but revealing more of your natural tooth can make teeth look longer and better proportioned without any work on the teeth themselves. If tooth shape is also a concern, contouring is sometimes planned alongside veneers or bonding as part of a broader plan.

Choosing the Right Tooth Shade

Gum contouring doesn’t involve tooth shade at all, since it reshapes soft tissue rather than the teeth. If you’re also considering whitening or veneers alongside contouring, shade planning happens as part of that separate treatment.

Natural-Looking vs. Bright Smile Results

The goal of gum contouring is a natural, proportionate gum line rather than a dramatic change, since the aim is to reveal more of your existing tooth structure in a way that looks like it was always meant to be seen, not an obviously “done” appearance.

Gum Contouring Procedure: Step by Step

Assessment. Examination of your gum and tooth proportions and overall periodontal health.
Planning. Discussion and marking of the desired gum line shape.
Reshaping. Performed using a laser or traditional technique under local anaesthesia.
Healing. Gum tissue needs one to two weeks to heal and settle into its final shape.

How Much Natural Tooth Is Prepared?

None. Gum contouring reshapes soft gum tissue only, it doesn’t involve any preparation or removal of tooth structure at all.

Is Gum Contouring Reversible?

Gum tissue that’s been removed generally doesn’t grow back on its own, so contouring is not considered reversible in the way that, for example, whitening’s effects fade. This is why the amount removed is planned carefully and conservatively at consultation.

Will You Need Temporary Restorations?

No. Gum contouring reshapes soft tissue, not teeth, so there’s no temporary restoration involved.

How Many Teeth May Need Treatment?

This depends on how much of your gum line is uneven or excessive. Some patients only need reshaping around one or two teeth with a specific irregularity; others have their full visible gum line, typically six to ten upper teeth, contoured together for an even result.

How Long Does Gum Contouring Take?

The procedure itself typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many teeth are involved and the technique used.

How Many Appointments Are Required?

Gum contouring is usually completed in a single appointment. A follow-up check is sometimes scheduled to confirm healing is progressing as expected, particularly if contouring is part of a larger cosmetic plan.

How Long Should You Stay in Istanbul?

The procedure itself can be completed within a single visit, but gum tissue needs one to two weeks to heal before any further cosmetic work, such as veneers, is carried out on those teeth. If contouring is a standalone treatment, a shorter stay can be sufficient.

Recovery and Sensitivity

Some soreness, swelling, and sensitivity around the treated gums for a few days is normal, generally settling within one to two weeks as the tissue heals into its new shape.

Eating and Drinking After Treatment

Stick to soft, cool foods for the first few days while your gums heal, avoiding anything very hot, spicy, or crunchy that could irritate the treated area. Most patients return to a normal diet within a week to ten days.

How to Care for Your New Smile

Gentle brushing around the treated area, avoiding vigorous rinsing for the first few days, and following any specific aftercare your dentist gives you all support healing. Once healed, your new gum line is cared for the same way as the rest of your gums, with regular brushing and check-ups.

Benefits of Gum Contouring

Reshaping the gum line can significantly improve how balanced a smile looks, sometimes without touching the teeth at all, and results are visible as soon as the gums have healed. It’s also commonly used to prepare the gum line before veneers or crowns, so the final restoration sits against an ideal gum contour from the start.

Risks and Limitations

As with any soft tissue procedure, risks include infection, uneven healing, or, less commonly, the gum line not settling exactly as planned, sometimes needing minor touch-up. Because gum tissue generally doesn’t regenerate once removed, results are intended to be long-term, which is also why conservative, careful planning matters.

How Long Do the Results Last?

Gum contouring results are generally stable and long-lasting, since the reshaped gum tissue doesn’t grow back to its previous shape. Gum recession from other causes, such as ageing or aggressive brushing, can still occur over time independently of the contouring itself.

What Can Stain or Damage the Results?

Gum tissue doesn’t stain the way teeth do. Ongoing gum disease, smoking, or aggressive brushing technique can affect gum health and appearance over the years, independent of your original contouring result, which is why maintaining good gum health afterward matters.

Alternatives to Gum Contouring

Contouring vs. orthodontics. If a gummy smile is related to how your teeth or jaw are positioned rather than excess gum tissue, orthodontic treatment may address the underlying cause more directly.
Contouring vs. no treatment. A gummy smile is a cosmetic preference rather than a health concern in most cases, so treatment is entirely optional and only worth pursuing if it bothers you.
Combining with other cosmetic treatment. Contouring is often paired with veneers or crowns as part of a Hollywood Smile plan when both gum proportion and tooth appearance are concerns.

Gum Contouring Compared With Other Cosmetic Options

Unlike veneers, bonding, or whitening, which all change the teeth themselves, gum contouring changes the frame around your teeth. It can be used alone for a gum-specific concern, or combined with tooth-focused treatments for a fuller smile makeover; your dentist can advise which combination, if any, fits your goals.

Materials Used for Gum Contouring

Gum contouring doesn’t use a restorative material the way crowns or veneers do, it’s carried out with a dental laser or a surgical blade, chosen based on the extent and precision of reshaping needed.

Material Comparison

Laser contouring generally offers more precision and less bleeding during the procedure, which can mean a more comfortable recovery for many patients. Traditional scalpel technique remains a well-established, effective option, particularly for more extensive reshaping. Your dentist will recommend the approach suited to your case.

Gum Contouring Cost at Dentavivo

At Dentavivo, gum contouring starts from €300. The exact price depends on how many teeth are involved and the extent of reshaping needed.

We don’t publish a single fixed price for every case, since every gum line is different. Share some details about your case through our contact form or WhatsApp, and our team will follow up with a clear, personalized quote.

What Is Included in the Price?

Your quote covers the consultation, planning of your new gum line, and the reshaping procedure itself, along with aftercare guidance for healing.

What Factors Affect the Final Cost?

The number of teeth involved and the technique used, laser or traditional, are the main factors, along with whether contouring is combined with crown lengthening for a more extensive case.

What Is Included for International Patients?

Once you share your case with us, our team reviews it and follows up with a personalised treatment plan and a free quote, so there are no surprises once you arrive. We stay in touch by WhatsApp and email throughout, and help you plan your visit dates if you’re combining contouring with further cosmetic treatment that needs the gums to heal first.

Before and After Gum Contouring

A more even gum line can make a real difference to how balanced a smile looks, which is exactly why we publish real photos rather than describe them. You can see genuine, unedited gum contouring cases from Dentavivo patients in our Before & After gallery.

Real Smile Makeover Case Studies

Our Before & After gallery also includes fuller smile makeover results where gum contouring was combined with veneers or whitening, so you can see the kind of comprehensive results our cosmetic dentistry team achieves.

Meet the Cosmetic Dentistry Team

Cosmetic treatment at Dentavivo is medically reviewed by Dr. Mine Helvacıoğlu Özkardeş, a prosthodontist with 14+ years of experience in smile design. You can read her full background, education, and publications on her profile page.

Why Choose Dentavivo for Gum Contouring?

Dentavivo has been treating international patients in Istanbul for over a decade, with gum contouring planned as part of a coordinated smile design process rather than in isolation. Every case is confirmed individually after a clinical examination, and you can see genuine, unedited results from real patients rather than stock photography.

Treatment Warranty and Conditions

The specific terms that apply to your gum contouring are confirmed in writing as part of your personalised treatment plan before you proceed. Your dentist will explain exactly what’s covered during your consultation.

Medical Review and References

This page was last reviewed on 4 August 2026 by Dr. Mine Helvacıoğlu Özkardeş. Where possible, it links to independent sources rather than asking you to take our word for it:

American Dental Association (ADA): the U.S. professional association for dentists, publishing evidence-based clinical guidance and patient resources.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR): part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, publishing independent research and patient education on oral health.

Content on this page is general dental information reviewed by Dentavivo's dental team. It is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Treatment plans, suitability, and costs are confirmed only after a personal consultation and clinical examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gum contouring?

Gum contouring, sometimes called gum reshaping, is a procedure that adjusts the shape of the gum line, for example by removing excess gum tissue or evening out an uneven gum line.

What is a gummy smile, and what causes it?

A gummy smile describes a smile where more gum tissue shows relative to tooth than is typically considered balanced. It can be caused by excess or overgrown gum tissue, teeth that appear short because they're partly covered by gum, or how your lip moves when you smile, which is why an accurate diagnosis matters before choosing a treatment.

How can a gummy smile be fixed?

Depending on the cause, options include gum contouring to reshape or reduce excess gum tissue, orthodontic treatment if tooth position is a factor, or, in some cases, a combination of approaches. Your dentist can advise which applies to your case after an assessment.

How much does gum contouring cost?

At Dentavivo, gum contouring starts from €300, though the exact price depends on how many teeth are involved and the extent of reshaping needed. Share your case with us for a free, personalised quote.

Is gum contouring purely cosmetic?

It can be used for cosmetic reasons, but reshaping may also be recommended for functional or periodontal health reasons in some cases. Your dentist can advise on the reason it may or may not be appropriate for you.

Does gum contouring hurt?

The procedure itself is carried out under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn't feel pain during it. Some soreness and sensitivity while your gums heal, generally over one to two weeks, is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.

How much gum tissue is removed?

This depends entirely on your case; your dentist plans exactly how much tissue to remove or reshape to achieve a natural, proportionate gum line, based on your existing gum-to-tooth ratio and facial features. It's a precise, individually planned amount rather than a fixed quantity.

Can braces fix a gummy smile instead?

In cases where a gummy smile is related to tooth or jaw position rather than excess gum tissue itself, orthodontic treatment can help. Where the cause is genuinely excess or uneven gum tissue, gum contouring addresses it more directly. Your dentist can advise which applies to you.

How long do gum contouring results last?

Results are generally stable and long-lasting, since gum tissue that's been reshaped doesn't grow back to its previous shape. Gum recession from other causes, such as ageing or aggressive brushing, can still occur over time independently of the contouring itself.

Does the gum tissue grow back after contouring?

No, not in the areas that were reshaped, which is why the procedure isn't considered reversible and your dentist plans conservatively and precisely at consultation. Ongoing gum health afterward depends on the same factors as any gum tissue: oral hygiene, smoking, and general periodontal health.

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