Dr Anupam Sinha
BDS, MDS - Orthodontics
- Delhi State Dental Council registration number A-6723 (2015).
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Gum Contouring in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi
Gum contouring reshapes the gum line to change how much gum shows when you smile, or how long your teeth look. At Orion Dental Clinic, a dentist in Greater Kailash 1 (GK 1), South Delhi, this page explains the three approaches that have research behind them, how much change each achieves, how long it lasts, and what can go wrong, in plain language.
Treatment is planned by Dr Anupam Sinha (BDS, MDS) and Dr Natalia DeSilva (BDS, MDS). Gum contouring is one part of cosmetic dentistry. Ask as many questions as you need before you decide.
- Average reduction in gum showing after lip repositioning, still present at 36 months 1
- About 3 mm
- How long botulinum toxin's effect lasts before it fades 2
- Up to 24 weeks
- Gum margins can rebound, mostly in the first three months, so the result is judged after healing 3
- Rebound
- Surgery is done under local anaesthetic
- Local anaesthetic
These figures come from systematic reviews, listed at the end of the page. Most of the studies were small and at risk of bias. Your dentist will explain what is realistic for your own smile.
Medically reviewed by Dr Anupam Sinha, BDS, MDS - Orthodontics, .
Quick answer
Gum contouring at Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi reshapes the gum line, most often to reduce a gummy smile. Dr Anupam Sinha and Dr Natalia DeSilva explain the options after an examination: lip repositioning, botulinum toxin or crown lengthening. Results differ in size and how long they last.
01 Overview
What is gum contouring, and how does it work in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi?
Gum contouring means changing the shape or position of the gum line. The most common reason is a gummy smile, which dentists call excessive gingival display: more gum shows than you would like when you smile. Other reasons are teeth that look short, or a gum line that is uneven. The right treatment depends on the cause, so the dentist looks at your teeth, gums, lip and jaw before suggesting anything.
Studies of what laypeople accept suggest that gum showing between about 1.5 mm and 4 mm is within what most people accept in a smile.4 Beyond that, there are three approaches with research behind them: surgical lip repositioning, botulinum toxin and crown lengthening. Lip repositioning reduced gum display by about 3 mm in a review of 13 studies, and the effect was still present at 36 months.1 Botulinum toxin reduced it by about 3.4 mm after two weeks, and the effect had mostly faded by about 24 weeks.2
Crown lengthening removes gum, and sometimes bone, to expose more of the tooth. Its evidence comes mainly from treatment done before restoring a tooth, not from cosmetic use, and it found some rebound of the gum.3 Our page on smile designing explains how a change to the gum line is planned with the rest of the smile.
Gum contouring is chosen by cause: lip, gum or tooth, and each has its own treatment and its own lifespan.
02 Candidacy
Who can have gum contouring in Greater Kailash 1, Delhi?
Gum contouring suits adults who are bothered by how much gum shows, or by short-looking or uneven teeth, and whose gums are healthy. The dentist decides after an examination.
Who gum contouring may suit
- People who show more than about 4 mm of gum when they smile and are bothered by it.42
- People with a gummy smile of up to 4 mm, for whom botulinum toxin worked most effectively.2
- People with teeth that look short because gum covers them, which may suit crown lengthening.3
- People with healthy gums who understand that some treatments wear off or rebound.23
Who needs extra care or a different plan
- People whose gum disease or gum swelling has not been treated, which come first.
- People who want a change that does not wear off from a treatment that is known to fade, such as botulinum toxin.2
- People whose gummy smile comes from the position of their jaws or teeth, for whom braces or other treatment may be more suitable.
- People who are pregnant or unwell, who should ask their doctor before any injection or surgery.
The cause of a gummy smile decides the treatment, and many people need an examination before they know the cause.
03 Options
Which gum contouring options are there in Greater Kailash 1?
The three approaches work in different ways, and reviews give figures for each.
Lip repositioning surgery
A strip of gum is removed and the lip is stitched lower so that it rises less when you smile. Reviews found an average improvement of about 3 mm.15
About 3 mm, lasting 1
If the gum line is only one of several things you would like to change, the plan can be combined in a smile makeover.
| Lip repositioning | Botulinum toxin | Crown lengthening | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Lowers the lip's rise when smiling | Relaxes the muscles that lift the lip | Exposes more of the tooth by reshaping gum and bone |
| Change reported | About 3 mm less gum display 1 | About 3.4 mm less gum display at 2 weeks 2 | 1.4 to 3.3 mm more crown length at 6 months 3 |
| How long it lasts | Still present at 36 months 1 | At least 12 weeks, mostly gone by 24 weeks 2 | Some rebound of the gum, mostly in the first 3 months 3 |
Surgery lasts longer than injections, and each approach has a different set of limits.
04 Procedure
How does gum contouring work, step by step?
Every plan is individual, so your steps may differ. This is the usual order.123
The cause is found first, treatment follows the cause, and the result is judged only after the gum has healed and settled.
Consultation about your gum line
The dentist asks what bothers you about how your smile looks and examines your teeth, gums, lip and bite. Photographs of your smile at rest and at full smile are taken.
Finding the cause of a gummy smile
The dentist works out whether the gum display comes from the gum, the teeth, the lip or the jaws, because the treatment depends on the cause.
Treating gum health first
Any gum disease or swelling is treated before the gum line is changed.
Choosing between lip repositioning, botulinum toxin and crown lengthening
You compare the approaches, including how much change each gave in studies and how long it lasted.123
The gum contouring treatment
Surgery is done under local anaesthetic. Injections are given in a short appointment. Your dentist explains what to expect for the approach you choose.
Healing and review
You come back to check healing, how the lip feels and the new gum line. Gum margins can rebound, mostly in the first three months,3 so the final result is judged after healing.
05 Aftercare
Looking after your gums after gum contouring in Greater Kailash 1
Your dentist will give you written instructions for the treatment you have, and those come first.
The first days
After surgery the gums can be sore, swollen or bruised, and the lip may feel tight. Eat soft food, follow the medicine advice and keep the area clean as shown.
After botulinum toxin
The effect appears over days, lasts at least 12 weeks and is mostly gone by 24 weeks,2 so a repeat is needed if you want to keep it.
Cleaning
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth every day. Healthy gums hold the new shape.
Reviews
Keep your review visits, because the gum margin can move in the first months and the result is judged afterwards.3
When to call us
Call the clinic on 098115 01995 the same day if you have sensitivity or pain that your usual pain relief does not control, gums that are very red, swollen or painful, a chip, crack or rough edge on a treated tooth, or a restoration that comes loose. If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling that spreads across your face or neck, call 112 or go to a hospital emergency department.
Keep the gums clean and calm, and judge the result after healing.
06 Limits and risks
When is gum contouring not the right choice?
Gum contouring does not suit every gummy smile. A good dentist is willing to say what would not help. These are situations where a different plan may be better:
- Gum disease or gum swelling that has not been treated.
- A gummy smile that comes from the position of the jaws or teeth.
- A hope for a change that does not wear off, from a treatment that fades.
- Gum display within the range most people accept, which is about 1.5 to 4 mm.
- A decision made without an examination or a clear cause.
In these cases braces, a different approach or no treatment may be better.
Risks and complications
The evidence is limited. A review of lip repositioning found 22 articles, but only 4 studies with 33 patients could be analysed, with some risk of bias, and the authors say more studies are needed to judge stability.5 Reviews of crown lengthening found heterogeneity and high risk of bias.3
Results can partly return. After lip repositioning, the reduction in gum display was 3.06 mm at 6 months, 2.91 mm at 12 months and 2.76 mm at 36 months.1 After crown lengthening, the gum margin may rebound, mostly in the first three months.3
Injections wear off. Botulinum toxin's effect lasts at least 12 weeks and returns close to the starting level within about 24 weeks, and it is most effective for gummy smiles of up to 4 mm.2
Surgery has its own risks. Gum surgery carries the usual risks of swelling, bleeding, pain and infection, and the lip can feel tight after repositioning. Ask your dentist what applies to you.
A good plan names these limits before treatment starts, and starts from the cause.
07 Your visit
What happens at your first gum contouring consultation?
At your first visit, a dentist at Orion Dental Clinic asks what bothers you about your smile, whether your lip or gum has always looked like this, and about your health, medicines, allergies and earlier dental work. Photographs of you smiling help.
The dentist examines your teeth, gums, lip and bite, and takes photographs and any X-rays that are needed. You then talk through the likely cause, the options, how much change each could give, how long it lasts and what the risks are, and you can take your time to decide.
The first visit is for finding the cause and discussing options, and no treatment is done until you agree.
08 Why this clinic
Why choose Orion Dental Clinic for gum contouring in Greater Kailash 1?
You meet the doctors who would assess your gum line, and you can ask them what they think causes your gummy smile.
Dr Natalia DeSilva
BDS, MDS - Oral Medicine and Radiology
- Delhi State Dental Council registration number A 11417 (2013), and Karnataka State Dental Council A-13203 (2003).
A cosmetic interest
Dr Natalia DeSilva's interests include cosmetic dentistry, and Dr Anupam Sinha's orthodontic training covers the position of the teeth and jaws that can cause a gummy smile.
Patients' own words
Patients describe in reviews how treatment changed their smile.
Imaging on site
Imaging is available at the clinic, so the records used for planning can be taken there.
Ask the doctor what they think is causing your gummy smile before you ask about treatment.
09 Reviews
Patient reviews of Orion Dental Clinic in Greater Kailash 1
“Dr. Sinha is very experienced and skilled doctor.Thankyou so much Dr. Sinha for giving new smile to my daughter Aanya”
“I had a lovely experience and finally have the smile I love! Thanks to Dr. Anupam and his lovely staff Anoj and Neeru!”
“I got my orthodontic treatment done from Dr. Anupam Sinha at Orion Dental and it was a seamless experience from start to finish. They inform you in advance of how everything works . If you’re someone who wants to get your smile sorted be it Gen Alpha, GenZ or Millennial, Orion Dental is the place to be! Cheers!”
10 Visit us
Gum contouring clinic in Greater Kailash 1 (GK 1), Delhi: location and hours
Mon to Sat, 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
Orion Dental Clinic Basement, E 75, Greater Kailash-1,Greater Kailash Enclave I
New Delhi, Delhi 110048
098115 01995
| Monday to Saturday | 9:30 am to 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
If you are looking for gum contouring in Greater Kailash or nearby, Orion Dental Clinic is in the basement of E 75, Greater Kailash Enclave 1 (GK 1), opposite Anubhav Play School, with the entrance at Gate 1, so call or message us on WhatsApp to book an appointment and use the map for directions. More about the clinic: dentist in Greater Kailash.
11 Travelling patients
Visiting Delhi and thinking about gum contouring?
Gum treatments need an examination first, and surgery needs time to heal and a review afterwards, so they are harder to fit into a short trip than injections. Botulinum toxin wears off within months, so it would need repeating. Tell us where you live and how long you can stay, and we will say which approach, if any, suits your plan.
You can read about smile makeovers and veneers for international patients.
Plan gum contouring around healing and review, not only the treatment day.
12 Questions
Gum contouring questions patients ask in Greater Kailash 1
What is gum contouring?
It means reshaping the gum line, most often to reduce a gummy smile, make short-looking teeth look longer or even out an uneven gum line.
What causes a gummy smile?
The gum, the teeth, the lip or the position of the jaws can each be the cause, and often more than one. The dentist examines you to find which, because the treatment depends on it.
How much gum should show when I smile?
Studies found most laypeople accepted gum showing of about 1.5 to 4 mm.4 Your own preference counts as much as a measurement.
How much does lip repositioning change a gummy smile?
How long does botulinum toxin last for a gummy smile?
Does gum contouring hurt?
Surgery is done under local anaesthetic, and afterwards the gums can be sore and swollen for a few days. Your dentist will explain what to expect, what to take for discomfort and when to call the clinic.
Is gum contouring lasting?
Can braces fix a gummy smile?
Sometimes, if the cause is the position of the teeth or jaws. Your dentist will say whether braces, gum contouring or both would help.
Where can I find gum contouring near me in South Delhi?
Orion Dental Clinic is a gum contouring clinic in Greater Kailash 1 (GK 1), in the basement of E 75, Greater Kailash Enclave 1, opposite Anubhav Play School, with the entrance at Gate 1. Patients come for gum contouring in Greater Kailash from Kailash Colony, CR Park, Nehru Place, Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony and South Extension. Call or message us on WhatsApp to book an appointment.
13 Second opinion
Bothered by how much gum shows when you smile?
A consultation lets you ask what is causing it and what could help before you commit to anything. Bring photographs of your smile if you have them. The dentist will examine your teeth, gums and lip, explain what they find and describe the options, including leaving things as they are. There is no form to fill in: message us on WhatsApp or call, and we will find a time that suits you.
14 Related
Related treatments and guides
Smile Designing
Read this for how a smile is planned and previewed.
Smile Makeover
Read this for how several treatments are combined into one plan.
Dental Veneers
Read this for thin shells that cover the front of teeth.
Patient guides
What Happens If You Do Not Replace a Missing Tooth?
What can change in your mouth when a missing tooth is left unreplaced, from bone loss and drifting teeth to chewing and speech, and what your options are.
Cavities: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
How cavities form, the signs to look for at each stage, how fillings and other treatments work, and the habits that prevent decay.
How Long Do Braces Take?
How long fixed braces and aligners usually take, what the research found on average, and the factors that make treatment shorter or longer.
Sources (5)
- Mendoza-Geng A, Gonzales-Medina K, Meza-Mauricio J, et al. Clinical efficacy of lip repositioning technique and its modifications for the treatment of gummy smile: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022;26(6):4243-4261. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35347420/
- Zengiski ACS, Basso IB, Cavalcante-Leao BL, Stechman-Neto J, Zeigelboim BS, Santos RS, Porporatti AL. Effect and longevity of botulinum toxin in the treatment of gummy smile: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022;26(1):109-117. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34652491/
- Pilalas I, Tsalikis L, Tatakis DN. Pre-restorative crown lengthening surgery outcomes: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2016;43(12):1094-1108. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27535216/
- Parrini S, Rossini G, Castroflorio T, Fortini A, Deregibus A, Debernardi C. Laypeople's perceptions of frontal smile esthetics: a systematic review. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 2016;150(5):740-750. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27871700/
- Tawfik OK, El-Nahass HE, Shipman P, Looney SW, Cutler CW, Brunner M. Lip repositioning for the treatment of excess gingival display: a systematic review. Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 2018;30(2):101-112. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193632/
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination, and results vary between patients.