Gum Contouring in Antalya: Gummy Smile Correction and Cost
Gum contouring at Ulubey Dental Clinic in Antalya costs €60 per tooth or €280 per arch (the front 6–8 teeth). We reshape excess gum over the teeth with a scalpel and remove no bone. It helps when a gummy smile or an uneven gum line is caused by too much gum covering the teeth[1][2]. When the bone also has to be reshaped, crown lengthening costs €150 per tooth. When the lip or the upper jaw is the cause, contouring alone will not correct it[2][6]; the examination shows which applies.
- 1. What gum contouring is
- 2. What causes a gummy smile
- 3. Who gum contouring suits
- 4. Gum contouring before veneers or crowns
- 5. The procedure step by step
- 6. Healing and how stable the result is
- 7. Gum contouring cost in Antalya
- 8. How we plan gum contouring
- 9. Frequently asked questions
- 10. Sources
What gum contouring is
Gum contouring (also called gingivectomy or gingivoplasty) removes and reshapes a small amount of gum tissue so that more of the natural tooth shows and the gum line looks even. The American Academy of Periodontology describes the wider procedure, crown lengthening, as recontouring the gum and sometimes the bone around one or more teeth; it can be done on one tooth to even the gum line or on several teeth for a broader smile[1]. The same procedure is also used before a crown when too little healthy tooth is above the gum[1].
The difference matters for you because it changes the procedure and the price:
| Gum contouring (soft tissue) | Crown lengthening with bone removal | |
|---|---|---|
| What is reshaped | Gum only, with a scalpel | Gum and the bone beneath it |
| Typical reason | Excess gum over otherwise normal-length teeth; uneven gum heights | The bone sits too close to the tooth edge, or a tooth is broken or decayed below the gum line[1] |
| Price at our clinic | €60 per tooth · €280 per arch (front 6–8 teeth) | €150 per tooth |
Which one you need is decided at the examination, where we check the gum and the bone level. Prices are indicative; your final written quote follows the examination and X-rays and is valid for 30 days. Unless the treatment plan changes, the written price does not change.
What causes a gummy smile
A gummy smile (excessive gingival display) is a smile that shows a lot of gum above the upper teeth. It results from the relationship between the upper lip, the position of the upper front teeth, the position of the upper jaw and where the gum margin sits on the tooth[3]. There is no single cut-off: studies define it differently, for example as more than 2 mm[5] or at least 4 mm of visible gum[4]. Many people have more than one cause, which is why the cause has to be found before anything is cut[4][5].
The most common soft-tissue cause is altered passive eruption: the gum stays too far down over the enamel, so the teeth look short even though they are a normal length[3][4]. A review in 2023 named altered passive eruption and a hypermobile upper lip as the two major soft-tissue causes[2]. In a 2024 study of 123 adults with at least 4 mm of gum display, altered passive eruption was found in 73.2%, and 55.3% had more than one cause[4].
| Cause | What it means | Does gum contouring help? |
|---|---|---|
| Altered passive eruption | Gum covers too much of the enamel; teeth look short[3] | Yes, this is what gum reshaping (aesthetic crown lengthening) treats[2]; if the bone is too close, crown lengthening with bone removal |
| Gum swelling from inflammation | Gums enlarged by plaque-related inflammation[5][9] | Not first: the inflammation is treated first, and reshaping is considered only for tissue that remains[9] |
| Hypermobile upper lip | The lip lifts higher than usual when you smile[2][4] | No. Lip repositioning surgery is the established surgical option for this cause[2]; it is a different procedure |
| Vertical excess of the upper jaw | The upper jaw is longer than usual[4][6] | No. Orthodontic treatment or jaw (orthognathic) surgery may be considered, depending on severity[6] |
| Short upper lip | The lip covers less of the teeth and gums at rest[4][5] | Not on its own; it often occurs together with altered passive eruption[5] |
This table is general information to help you understand the options; it does not replace an examination.
Who gum contouring suits
Gum contouring suits adults whose gums are healthy and whose gummy smile or uneven gum line comes from excess gum over the teeth. It is often combined with smile design, so that the gum heights and the tooth shapes are planned together.
- Gums that bleed or are inflamed: gum disease is treated first; see gum disease and professional teeth cleaning.
- The lip or the jaw is the main cause: removing gum will not change how high the lip lifts or how long the jaw is[2][6].
- Gums that have already pulled back: receding gums need the opposite approach; see receding gums.
- Old crowns with edges deep under the gum: these may need crown lengthening and new crowns rather than contouring alone; see what happens when crowns go wrong.
Gum contouring before veneers or crowns
When veneers or crowns are planned on the front teeth, the gum line frames the result: uneven gum heights stay visible above even the most carefully made veneers. That is why gum contouring is often part of a smile design in Antalya plan. In our clinic the planned result, including the gum line, is shown in a digital smile design preview before any tissue is removed; the preview is included in the price of cosmetic treatment plans.
Timing matters because gum tissue can move back after surgery. After crown lengthening done before restorations, a systematic review found that the gum margin may “rebound”, largely during the first three months, and that both the surgical technique and the type of gum tissue influence the result[7]. How long to wait before the final veneers or crowns therefore depends on what was done: soft-tissue contouring alone or bone reshaping as well. We decide this with you at the examination. How veneers are planned is explained on our porcelain veneers page, and the difference between smile design and veneers alone in smile design vs veneers.
On a combined trip, gum contouring adds at least 1–2 days to a veneer or crown stay; on its own, the length of stay is confirmed after your examination. Our dental treatment stay planner shows typical stays for each treatment.
The procedure step by step
- Examination and X-ray. We check gum health and take a panoramic X-ray, as for every patient. We look at how much gum shows when you smile, how long your teeth are and how your lip moves.
- Plan and preview. We mark the planned gum line; when the contouring is part of a smile makeover, you see it in the digital smile design preview first. You decide whether to go ahead.
- Contouring. The area is numbed with a local anaesthetic, and the excess gum is removed and shaped with a scalpel. No bone is removed in gum contouring.
- If bone is involved. When the bone sits too close to the tooth edge, the procedure becomes crown lengthening with bone removal, which is planned and quoted separately.
- Check. We check the healing gum before any veneers or crowns are made.
Frenectomy, another small soft-tissue procedure we do with a scalpel, is explained in our frenectomy guide.
Healing and how stable the result is
The cut gum surface heals over the following weeks. In a 2026 randomised trial of gingivectomy and gingivoplasty in 60 patients, wound healing was assessed at days 7, 14, 21 and 28, and pain and burning improved over time in every group[9]. That study treated gum enlargement caused by plaque after initial gum therapy, so it describes healing after this type of surgery in general, not our results.
The gum line can creep back towards the teeth. After crown lengthening, the gum margin may rebound mainly in the first three months[7], and a meta-analysis of five studies concluded that it remains debatable whether the procedure produces gum rebound, because all the studies had a high risk of bias[8]. In practice this means:
- the result depends on the cause; gum contouring cannot change a hypermobile lip or a long upper jaw[2][6];
- the surgical technique, including whether bone is reshaped, and the type of gum tissue influence how much the gum moves back[7], which is why the bone level is checked first;
- healthy gums and good daily cleaning help the new gum line stay healthy; see our daily oral care guide;
- results vary from person to person, and the evidence on long-term stability is limited[7][8].
Gum contouring cost in Antalya
| Treatment | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gum contouring, one tooth | €60 | Scalpel, soft tissue only |
| Gum contouring, one arch | €280 | The front 6–8 teeth of one jaw |
| Crown lengthening with bone removal | €150 per tooth | When the bone has to be reshaped |
| Consultation and panoramic X-ray | No separate fee | At the examination |
Prices are indicative; your final written quote follows the examination and X-rays and is valid for 30 days. Unless the treatment plan changes, the written price does not change.
Included: the gum contouring of the teeth listed in your written quote. Not included: crown lengthening with bone removal, treatment of gum disease (deep cleaning is €80), veneers, crowns and whitening, which are priced separately. The full list is on our dental treatment prices page.
How we plan gum contouring
Dr. Ali Cem Ulubey and Dr. Surur Ulubey see every patient themselves; there are no rotating dentists. For gum contouring we take a panoramic X-ray, photograph the smile, and plan the gum line together with the tooth shapes in a digital smile design preview when veneers or crowns are part of the plan. If the cause of your gummy smile is the lip or the jaw, we tell you so and explain that gum contouring alone would not change it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does gum contouring cost in Antalya?
At Ulubey Dental Clinic gum contouring costs €60 per tooth or €280 per arch, which covers the front 6 to 8 teeth of one jaw. If the bone also needs reshaping, crown lengthening costs €150 per tooth. The consultation and panoramic X-ray have no separate fee, and your written quote is valid for 30 days.
Is gum contouring permanent?
The gum line can move back towards the teeth after surgery; after crown lengthening this happens mainly in the first three months. How stable the result is depends on the cause, the technique and how healthy the gums are. Studies on long-term stability are limited and have a high risk of bias.
Does gum contouring hurt?
The area is numbed with a local anaesthetic before the gum is shaped. Afterwards the gum is sore while it heals; in a 2026 trial of gingivectomy, pain and burning were recorded in the first week and improved over time in every group. We explain at the examination what to expect for the number of teeth you need.
Can gum contouring fix a gummy smile caused by my lip?
No. If your upper lip lifts higher than usual when you smile, removing gum will not change how far it lifts. Lip repositioning surgery is the established option for that cause, and a long upper jaw may need orthodontic treatment or jaw surgery. Many people have more than one cause, so the examination comes first.
Should I have gum contouring before veneers?
If your gum heights are uneven or your teeth look short because of excess gum, contouring is usually planned together with the veneers so that the gum line and the tooth shapes match. The gum needs to heal before the final veneers are made. On a combined trip, gum contouring adds at least 1 to 2 days to your stay.
How long do I need to stay in Antalya for gum contouring?
When gum contouring is combined with veneers or crowns, it adds at least 1 to 2 days to the stay for those treatments. When it is done on its own, the length of stay is confirmed after your examination, and your dentist confirms your flight day. Our stay planner shows typical stays for each treatment.
Sources
- American Academy of Periodontology. Crown lengthening: patient brochure (© 2023; accessed 26 October 2026). home.perio.org/PRODUCTFILES/8118845/CrownLengthening_sample.pdf
- Tatakis DN, Silva CO. Contemporary treatment techniques for excessive gingival display caused by altered passive eruption or lip hypermobility. J Dent. 2023;138:104711. PMID 37730094. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37730094
- Alpiste-Illueca F. Altered passive eruption (APE): a little-known clinical situation. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2011;16(1):e100-e104. PMID 20711147. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20711147
- Al Jasser R, AlSaif R, AlSohaim L, et al. Etiologies of excessive gingival display in a Saudi population. Saudi Dent J. 2024;36(8):1135-1140. PMID 39176165. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39176165
- Amro LA, Abdalwahab MM, Zazou N, Amr AEH. Prevalence of different etiologies of excessive gingival display: identifying diagnostic patterns. ScientificWorldJournal. 2026;2026:8869911. PMID 41767215. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41767215
- Inchingolo AD, Inchingolo AM, Viapiano F, et al. Effectiveness and personalized approaches in the correction of gummy smile: a systematic review of orthodontic and surgical treatments. J Clin Med. 2024;13(22):6843. PMID 39597985. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39597985
- Pilalas I, Tsalikis L, Tatakis DN. Pre-restorative crown lengthening surgery outcomes: a systematic review. J Clin Periodontol. 2016;43(12):1094-1108. PMID 27535216. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27535216
- Al-Sowygh ZH. Does surgical crown lengthening procedure produce stable clinical outcomes for restorative treatment? A meta-analysis. J Prosthodont. 2019;28(1):e103-e109. PMID 29876998. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29876998
- Saraç Atagün Ö, Çardakci Bahar Ş, Ceylan Şen S, et al. Comparison of injectable platelet-rich fibrin, titanium platelet-rich fibrin, and 0.8% hyaluronic acid applications versus periodontal dressing alone in wound healing after gingivectomy and gingivoplasty operations: randomized controlled clinical study. Clin Oral Investig. 2026;30(5):174. PMID 41979746. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41979746
This article is general patient information and does not replace a clinical examination or X-rays.
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