| 
     Some people have teeth that look too "short" due 
                    to the relationship between their teeth and gums. This creates 
                    a "gummy" smile. A procedure called "gum contouring" 
                    is often used to remove excess gum tissue and expose more 
                    of the crown of the tooth. In fact, your gum line can be carefully 
                    sculpted to create just the right proportion between gum tissue 
    and tooth surface -- and the result is a better looking smile. 
    If the gum is uneven around a tooth, gum contouring can smooth 
      and balance the way your tooth and gum look. The procedure 
      produces a consistent, even gum line that is esthetically 
      pleasing. 
    
      
         | 
         | 
       
      
        Before Gum Contouring  | 
        After Gum Contouring  | 
       
     
    Crown Lengthening is the 
      same procedure applied for functional instead of (or in addition 
      to) cosmetic reasons. 
     |