Neither procedure fixes every gummy smile. A gingivectomy trims excess gum when the bone leaves room; crown lengthening may also reshape bone to expose more tooth. If a short or very mobile lip or the jaw is the cause, other options apply. Dr. Türker Clinic decides after examination and imaging, with no promised result.
Which procedure fixes a gummy smile depends on why the gum shows. A gingivectomy removes excess gum when the teeth are too covered and the bone leaves room, and it is often how gum contouring is done. Crown lengthening goes a step further when needed, reshaping the bone as well, and it is also used to restore a tooth that is broken below the gum line. If the cause is the lip or the jaw, other options come up. The choice is made only after an examination.
The two terms turn up side by side on quotes and in searches, and they overlap. This guide sets out how they differ, who they may suit, how treatment unfolds and what can honestly be said about healing without promising a timeline. It is written for readers in the UK, the US, Canada and Ireland who may be weighing a dentist at home against a trip to Istanbul. It does not cover gum disease (bleeding or receding gums), which needs a different assessment.
Gingivectomy vs crown lengthening: what each term means
Here is how the three terms are told apart in practice.
- Gingivectomy: surgical removal of part of the gum. Only gum tissue is involved.
- Gum contouring (gingival contouring, gingivoplasty): the gum line is redrawn so that it is even, symmetrical and in proportion with the teeth. It is often achieved by a gingivectomy; the term stresses the aesthetic goal.
- Crown lengthening: more of the tooth is exposed. Depending on the situation, this stays at gum level, in which case it is crown lengthening by gingivectomy, or it means lifting the gum, reshaping the bone around the tooth and putting the gum back in place.
Side by side, the comparison looks like this.
| Gingivectomy | Crown lengthening | |
|---|---|---|
| What is treated | Gum tissue only | Gum alone, or gum plus the bone around the tooth |
| Main aim | Remove excess gum and redraw the gum line | Expose more of the tooth, for appearance or to restore it |
| Question that decides it | Does the bone leave enough room? | Is the bone too close to the gum edge? |
| Typical reasons | Short-looking teeth or a gummy smile caused by the gum | A gummy smile, or a tooth broken, decayed or worn below the gum edge |
So the two are not rivals: crown lengthening can include a gingivectomy, and the difference comes down to whether the bone has to be involved.
Why the bone changes the choice
The gum needs a stable space between its edge and the bone that supports it. When the bone sits close to the gum edge, removing gum alone can leave tissue that is irritated or that tends to move back toward its old position. Reshaping the bone then aims to respect that space. This is why the procedure cannot be chosen from a photo: the bone has to be located by examination and imaging.
Two different reasons, sometimes combined
The reason can be aesthetic: a gummy smile, or teeth that look short. It can also be restorative. A tooth that is broken, decayed or worn below the gum edge needs enough healthy tooth exposed for a restoration to be placed properly and kept clean. To compare a crown, a veneer and an implant for a damaged tooth, see the guide on a broken, worn or sensitive tooth.
A gummy smile: the causes to tell apart
A “gummy smile” is a smile that shows a lot of gum. The term describes what you see, not what causes it. Before choosing a procedure, you need to understand why the teeth look short or the gum looks prominent: the same appearance can have several origins, sometimes combined.
| Possible cause | What you see | Options usually discussed |
|---|---|---|
| Gum covers too much of the crown (altered passive eruption) | Short or square-looking teeth, gum edge sitting low on the tooth | Gum contouring; crown lengthening if the bone is close to the gum edge |
| Short or very mobile upper lip | Teeth of normal length, but a wide band of gum appears when you smile | Lip-based approaches, to discuss with the practitioner |
| Excess height of the upper jaw | Gum very visible even with moderate lip movement | Orthodontic and surgical opinion; orthognathic surgery in some cases |
| Worn or shortened teeth (grinding, erosion) | Teeth shorter than they used to be, uneven edges | Treat the cause, then restore tooth height |
| Thickened or swollen gum | Bulky, red or bleeding gum | Gum assessment and treatment of the cause before any reshaping |
This table is a way to think the question through, not a diagnosis. Causes often overlap, and only watching the smile, examining the gums and teeth, and imaging can tell them apart.
Who it may suit, and who it may not
Gum contouring or crown lengthening can be discussed when
- your teeth look short because the gum covers too much of them, without marked wear or a dominant lip problem;
- your gums are healthy, with no active inflammation;
- the examination shows that the gum and bone allow the procedure being considered;
- a tooth has to be restored and its edge lies below the gum line;
- you know that taking away too much is hard to put right, and your expectations are realistic.
It is less suitable, or better postponed, when
- the gum is inflamed, bleeds or has an untreated disease;
- the main cause is the lip or the jaw, because work on the gum alone is likely to disappoint;
- teeth are worn by grinding (bruxism) that is not under control, since the cause would keep acting;
- orthodontic treatment is under way or planned, because the gum edge changes as teeth move;
- you smoke: tobacco can interfere with healing, which is discussed before any procedure.
How treatment unfolds
- Photos and examination. Your smile is observed at rest, natural and wide, along with lip movement, tooth proportions, the condition of the gums and your bite.
- Imaging. X-rays and, depending on the case, 3D imaging (CBCT) show where the bone sits in relation to the gum edge. At Dr. Türker Clinic, planning rests on CBCT and the clinical examination.
- Diagnosis of the cause and a written plan. The plan states the procedure chosen, the reasons for it and the alternatives considered.
- Preparation. Inflamed gum is treated first; smoking and medical history are discussed with the practitioner.
- Previewing the new line. A simulation or mock-up lets you discuss the intended gum line. Dr. Nazan Nuray Aksakal works from digital smile design, which serves as a preview and is not a commitment on the biological result.
- The procedure. It is usually done under local anesthesia, and the exact type is confirmed after the examination. Depending on the case, the gum is reshaped alone, or lifted so that the bone can be reshaped before the gum is put back and stitched.
- Instructions and a healing check. You receive written instructions, and a healing check is scheduled.
- Possible restorations. Veneers, crowns or composite work come in only once the gum is stable. Before agreeing to veneers, read the risks and alternatives to weigh.
Questions to ask before accepting the plan
- [ ] Has the cause of my gummy smile been identified: gum, lip, jaw or wear?
- [ ] Does the planned procedure involve the gum alone, or the gum and the bone, and why?
- [ ] What happens if the assessment during the procedure differs from the plan?
- [ ] Are my gums healthy enough for surgery?
- [ ] How will the amount of gum removed be limited and controlled?
- [ ] Have the options that avoid gum surgery been discussed?
- [ ] What instructions and check-ups will I get, and who handles follow-up once I am home?
- [ ] Does the written quote separate the gum procedure from any restorations?
On cost, Dr. Türker Clinic does not list a price for this treatment. It depends on the number of teeth, on whether the work involves gum alone or gum and bone, and on any restorations. A written quote follows an examination, and it should separate the gum procedure, the imaging, the check-ups and any restorations.
Healing and what comes next
After the procedure the gum is tender and may be swollen; some light bleeding is possible at first. You are given precise instructions on eating and on cleaning the area, and they should be followed exactly as written.
Healing is gradual. The gum settles in stages, and its final level cannot be judged on the day of the procedure. How long it takes depends on the procedure (gum alone or gum and bone), the number of teeth, hygiene and smoking. This guide quotes no timeframe: the practitioner gives one once the real extent of the work is known.
That settling matters for what follows. If veneers or crowns are planned, the team waits until the gum is stable; otherwise the edge of the restoration may no longer match the gum’s final position. For a stay in Istanbul, it is therefore the healing schedule, not the flight date, that sets the steps.
Seek advice without waiting if you have bleeding that will not stop, pain that grows instead of easing, marked swelling, fever or any discharge of pus. If you are already back home, see what to do and who to contact.
Limits, alternatives and when to postpone
Risks and limits
Like any minor surgery in the mouth, this procedure carries risks
- sensitivity of the newly exposed areas of tooth;
- taking away too much: teeth that look too long, asymmetry, a visible root, all hard to correct because the gum does not simply go back;
- dark spaces between the teeth, in some cases;
- partial return of the gum toward its original position if the bone was not taken into account;
- bleeding, swelling, pain or infection;
- slower healing with smoking or poor hygiene;
- a disappointing result when the real cause was the lip or the jaw.
No result can be promised, and a simulation does not predict the final look.
Alternatives to consider
| Option | What it changes | Limit to discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodontics, including clear aligners | Tooth position | Duration, whether it suits the cause, retention |
| Restoring worn teeth: composite, E-max or composite veneers, zirconia crown | Tooth length and shape | Irreversible preparation for some options; the gum stays unchanged |
| Lip-based approaches | How much gum shows when you smile | Specific indications; what the clinic offers is confirmed after the examination |
| Orthognathic surgery | Position of the upper jaw, when the cause is skeletal | Major surgery, reserved for specific indications |
| Doing nothing | Nothing | Sometimes the most sensible option if the concern is mostly one of perception |
At Dr. Türker Clinic, orthognathic surgery is handled by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Türker Yücesoy, and orthodontics by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Dilara Arslan. Which of them you are referred to depends on the examination.
When to postpone the decision
- Inflamed or bleeding gums, or persistent bad breath, come first for assessment: see the guide on bad breath.
- The cause of the gummy smile has not been identified.
- Orthodontic treatment is under way or planned.
- Uncontrolled grinding or erosion keeps wearing the teeth down.
- The request comes mostly from a perceived flaw and your expectations have not settled.
- A tight travel schedule is pushing you to decide quickly.
Sources
- FDI World Dental Federation: principles of minimally invasive dentistry.
- American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and European Federation of Periodontology (EFP): classification of periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions, 2017.
This article rests on general principles of aesthetic dentistry and periodontology. It cites no figures from any study and does not replace the opinion of a practitioner who has examined you.
Getting a preliminary opinion
If you are torn between gum contouring, crown lengthening and another option, you can send Dr. Türker Clinic close-up photos of your smile (relaxed and wide), your recent X-rays and what you want to achieve, through the contact page or on WhatsApp at +90 531 818 02 87. See the contact page for current opening hours. At the clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, aesthetic and restorative dentistry is the field of Dr. Nazan Nuray Aksakal, who can give you a first orientation. Consultations are available in Turkish, English and French. If you travel to Istanbul, a coordinator handles organization, translation and airport transfers.
A remote assessment is only provisional: it does not replace a clinical examination and is not a promise of any result.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gingivectomy the same as crown lengthening?
Not quite. A gingivectomy removes part of the gum tissue only. Crown lengthening exposes more of the tooth, either by removing gum alone or, when the bone sits too close to the gum edge, by also reshaping the bone. Gum contouring redraws the gum line and is often done by that same gingivectomy.
Crown lengthening vs gingivectomy: which one fixes a gummy smile?
It depends on the cause. If the gum itself covers too much of the teeth and the bone leaves room, a gingivectomy (gum contouring) may be enough; if the bone is close to the gum edge, crown lengthening is discussed. A short or very mobile lip, a tall upper jaw or worn teeth call for other options. Dr. Türker Clinic decides after examination and imaging.
Can a gingivectomy lengthen a crown without touching the bone?
In some situations, yes: when the excess gum can be removed without the bone sitting too close to the gum edge. Otherwise, removing gum alone can leave irritated or unstable tissue, and bone reshaping is discussed. Examination and imaging settle the question; it is not decided from a photo.
Is gum contouring reversible?
Not simply: gum that has been removed does not go back on demand, and taking away too much is hard to correct. That is why the intended gum line is discussed before the procedure and the work is planned with caution. A simulation helps you decide, but it does not promise the final result.
How long does healing take after a gingivectomy or crown lengthening?
No timeframe can be quoted without knowing how extensive the work is: gum alone or gum and bone, how many teeth, hygiene, smoking. Healing is gradual, and the final gum level cannot be judged on the day of the procedure. The practitioner says when the gum is stable enough, notably before any veneers or crowns.
Can a gummy smile be treated without gum surgery?
Depending on the cause, sometimes: orthodontics to reposition the teeth, restoring worn teeth to regain height, or lip-based approaches. None suits every cause. The first step is to understand why the gum shows, then to compare the options, including doing nothing.
How much does a gingivectomy cost in Turkey?
Dr. Türker Clinic does not list a price for this treatment: the cost depends on the number of teeth, whether the work involves gum alone or gum and bone, and any restorations. A written quote is issued only after an examination. Ask that it separate the gum procedure, imaging, check-ups and restorations.
Can I combine a gingivectomy with a short trip to Istanbul?
That depends on healing, not on your flight date. The gum settles in stages, and if veneers or crowns are planned they wait until it is stable. A remote opinion from close-up photos and X-rays is only provisional; the examination decides the plan. At Dr. Türker Clinic, a coordinator handles organization, translation and airport transfers.
This guide informs; it does not replace a consultation or an individual diagnosis. Every case needs a clinical examination and 3D imaging.
