Key guidance to read first

Gum line · gum graft, at a glance

What is this treatment?
Treatment to identify causes of irregular gum line or gum recession and adjust tooth-to-gum proportions. Distinguish between cases that need gum reduction and those that need reinforcement.
What concerns are addressed?
Gums show a lot when smiling; left and right gum heights differ
What precautions are there?
After treatment there can be sensitivity, pain, bleeding, gum changes, or need for retreatment. Risks and recovery for each treatment method are individually explained during the consultation.

Related clinician: Director Kang Do-wook · Periodontics · Integrated Dental Medicine specialist

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BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Preparing for your consultation

A few things to consider before booking.

Tell us during your consultation

  • The affected area, symptoms and when the discomfort began
  • Previous treatment and your main questions now
  • Dates you are available to visit

Helpful items to prepare

  • A list of your medications
  • Previous treatment records or images, if available

Questions to ask

  • Which assessments and treatment choices are relevant to my condition?
  • How can I learn about precautions, costs and appointment schedules for each option?
Contact the clinic

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The Good Morning Dental Clinic 02-969-3776

Read the related guidance
01 / YOUR CONCERNS

Do you have these concerns?

Gums show a lot when smiling
Left and right gum heights differ
Front teeth look short
Gums receded and roots are exposed
02 / UNDERSTAND YOUR CARE

What is gum line treatment and grafting?

Treatment to identify causes of irregular gum line or gum recession and adjust tooth-to-gum proportions. Distinguish between cases that need gum reduction and those that need reinforcement.

Whether to reshape gums only or adjust bone as well

Gum contouring reshapes gum form; crown lengthening adjusts bone below the gum if needed. If the cause of a gummy smile is skeletal or lip movement, a different approach is required.

If gums have receded and roots are exposed

We check whether root coverage or soft tissue grafting can improve it. Options include using the patient's palate tissue; coverage range depends on remaining alveolar bone and defect shape. Keratinized gingival grafting aims to reinforce easily maintainable tissue.

Check the gum line before making prostheses

When planning laminates or front prostheses, check left-right gum height and tooth length together. If gum treatment is needed, wait for recovery before fabricating prosthesis to match that line.

Limits and precautions to know

After treatment there can be sensitivity, pain, bleeding, gum changes, or need for retreatment. Risks and recovery for each treatment method are individually explained during the consultation.

03 / THE GOOD MORNING WAY

How The Good Morning provides care

  1. A periodontist evaluates the need for gum contouring and grafting.
  2. Plan pre-prosthetic gum line with the prosthodontist.
  3. Explain reversible range and recovery time first.
04 / STEP BY STEP

From diagnosis to aftercare: the treatment course.

  1. 01Differentiate causes: gums, bone, lips, etc.
  2. 02Stabilize gum inflammation
  3. 03Necessary contouring, crown lengthening, grafting
  4. 04Confirm recovery then proceed with required prosthesis

Actual sequence and number of visits are adjusted according to test results and recovery.

Consultation tailored to your condition
05 / YOUR QUESTIONS · 8 QUESTIONS

Questions you might have before care.

01Can receded gums be restored?
There are cases where improvement is possible. We improve by root coverage surgery that re-covers exposed roots, or grafting procedures that increase gum thickness. However, if the alveolar bone has been resorbed, the range of recovery is limited, so we first identify the cause and the condition of the remaining bone.
02Where is the gum tissue taken from?
In most cases it is harvested from the patient’s own palate (palatal tissue). Because it is the patient’s own tissue, its color and texture blend naturally with the surroundings. The donor site is covered with a protective dressing for care and usually stops hurting within 1–2 weeks.
03How long until recovery?
It usually takes 1–3 months for the grafted tissue to settle. During that time do not brush the area vigorously, and follow the care instructions provided.
04Is there a way if a lot of gum shows when I smile?
If the gums are covering the teeth excessively, gum contouring or crown lengthening can raise the visible line. However, if the cause is skeletal or due to upper lip movement rather than the gums, the approach differs and diagnosis is needed first.
05What is the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?
Gum contouring only sculpts the gum tissue, while crown lengthening adjusts the bone under the gum as well. If you simply remove gum tissue while leaving the bone as is, the appearance can revert over time.
06The gum heights on the left and right are different — can you make them match?
The achievable range depends on the cause and the condition of the remaining gum and bone. We evaluate adjacent teeth and overall proportions together and explain the expected changes and limitations.
07My gums receded after orthodontic treatment.
Gingival recession can occur after orthodontics. It can be improved with root coverage surgery that re-covers exposed roots, and if thin gums are the cause, a graft can be used to increase thickness.
08They say my gums are thin — is that a problem?
Thin gums are more likely to recede over time and can cause restoration margins (implants or prostheses) to show through. Securing thickness in advance can reduce such changes.

Explore this treatment further

Treatment questions: 8Director’s explanatory videos

Also see related treatments

Veneers +Esthetic prosthetics +Front-tooth implants +Gum treatment +Dental terms glossary +
Treatment case publication guidance

This information is for general understanding and does not replace clinician diagnosis. Treatment methods, durations, effects, and side effects vary by individual and require sufficient consultation before care.