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Show More Teeth, Less Gum

Gummy Smile Treatment

City of London

Does excessive gum tissue show when you smile? A ‘gummy smile' is surprisingly common — and entirely treatable. At our Central London clinics, cosmetic dentists offer multiple approaches to reduce gum visibility and help you achieve the confident smile you're looking for.

Treatment Options

Gum Contouring

from £175

Lip Reposition

from £750

✨ Love Your Smile Again — See Results Same Day

GDC Registered
Opening April 2026
City of London

What is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile (excessive gingival display) is when more than 3-4mm of gum tissue shows above your upper teeth when you smile. It's not a medical problem, but many people feel self-conscious about it. The good news? There are several effective treatments. The cause and severity of a gummy smile must be clinically assessed before treatment options are confirmed.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Understanding the cause determines the best treatment

🦷

Excessive Gum Tissue

Too much gum covers your teeth, making them appear short. This is often genetic.

Treatment: Gum contouring / Crown lengthening
🦴

Vertical Maxillary Excess

The upper jaw bone is longer than average, causing excessive gum display.

Treatment: Orthognathic surgery (severe cases)
📏

Teeth Appear Short

Teeth didn't fully erupt, or excessive wear has made them shorter.

Treatment: Crown lengthening / Veneers
💊

Gum Overgrowth

Certain medications or conditions cause gums to enlarge over the teeth.

Treatment: Gum contouring

Gummy Smile Self-Assessment

Answer these questions to help us understand your concerns:

Do you show more than 3-4mm of gum when you smile naturally?
Do your teeth look short or 'stubby'?
Does your upper lip seem to rise very high when you smile?
Is your gumline uneven?
Do you avoid smiling in photos?

Gummy Smile Treatment Options

The best treatment depends on what's causing your gummy smile. Often, a combination approach gives the best results.

Gum Contouring (Gingivectomy)

from £175
from £350

Remove excess gum tissue to reveal more tooth structure where clinically appropriate. Outcomes and longevity vary depending on anatomy, technique, and aftercare.

Best for: Excess gum tissue covering teeth

Procedure: Surgical removal of gum tissue
Recovery: 7-10 days
Results
Long-term

Crown Lengthening

from £300
from £600

Removes both gum and bone to expose more tooth structure. Can achieve greater changes in tooth exposure compared to non-surgical options, where clinically necessary.

Best for: Teeth that appear very short

Procedure: Surgical reshaping of gum and bone
Recovery: 2-3 weeks
Results
Long-term

Veneers / Crowns

from £297.50
from £595

Lengthen the appearance of teeth with porcelain restorations. Often combined with gum contouring.

Best for: Short or worn teeth + smile makeover

Procedure: Custom porcelain shells bonded to teeth
Recovery: None
Results
10-15+ years

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Your Treatment Journey

1

Smile Analysis

We photograph and measure your smile, identifying exactly what's causing excessive gum display.

30 mins
2

Customised Plan

Based on the cause, we recommend the most effective treatment or combination. You'll see predicted results.

Same visit
3

Treatment

Most treatments are quick — typically 30-60 minutes for gum contouring. All done under local anaesthetic.

30-90 mins
4

Reveal Your Smile

Results are often visible immediately. We'll ensure you're delighted and provide aftercare instructions.

Same day

Transformation is Possible

GDC
Regulated
2026
Opening April

Frequently Asked Questions

A gummy smile is usually an aesthetic concern. In some cases, it may be linked to underlying dental or periodontal factors that require assessment. If excess gum is caused by gum disease or medication-induced overgrowth, treating it can improve your oral health too. Most people seek treatment simply because they're self-conscious about showing too much gum.

Ready to Love Your Smile?

Stop hiding your smile. Book a consultation and discover which treatment is right for you.

020 7183 3709

Open Monday–Saturday • City of London

Testimonials

What Our Patients Say

Real feedback from our patients at South Kensington Medical & Dental.

4.9 from 267+ reviews

"I had a very comfortable and welcoming experience doing some walk-in tests. I was especially appreciative of the person who handled my phlebotomy, Luciana - she explained all necessary testing requirements thoroughly and was generally very pleasant."

S

sunshinethuggery

Blood Tests

Verified

"Luciana the Brazilian nurse is the best!! Very kind and super efficient, she managed to get my blood very smoothly and I had the best experience. I really recommend going there and asking for her."

S

Sabine Arias

Blood Tests

Verified

"Hi great experience felt very relaxed and Luciana took care of everything."

G

Gary Queen

Medical Services

Verified

"Best experience with Luciana, she made everything entirely seamless during a blood test. Highly recommend her."

D

Dom

Blood Tests

Verified

"Nurse Luciana was amazing."

P

Pierre Mallevays

Medical Services

Verified

Meet Our Dental Team

Our experienced dental team is fully qualified and registered with the GDC, delivering safe, high-quality care in line with the highest professional standards.
Because our patients deserve nothing less.

Registered. Regulated. Trusted.

South Kensington Medical & Dental is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC and GMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.

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