Gummy Smile Treatment in Seoul: Gum Contouring and Other Options
A gummy smile shows more gum than you'd like above the upper teeth. When excess gum covers the teeth, gum contouring can reshape the gumline so teeth look longer and more even. At Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, gum contouring starts from ₩100,000 per tooth, and healing usually takes about a week.
Key facts
- Normal gum display is about 1–4 mm; excess is graded mild, moderate or severe (Venugopal et al., 2024).
- Treatment depends on the cause: gums, teeth, lip or jaw.
- Gum contouring at Lucid Dental Clinic has a reference fee of ₩100,000 per tooth (≈US$70 at ₩1,400/US$).
- Six upper front teeth would start from about ₩600,000.
- Cleveland Clinic reports healing in about a week or less for most people.
- Gum contouring is often done before veneers to improve tooth proportions.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist, Chief Dentist at Lucid Dental Clinic. Last reviewed 27 September 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis; individual results vary, and a consultation and exam are required.
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile means more gum than you would like shows above your upper teeth when you smile. Dentists call it excessive gingival display. It is a cosmetic concern, not a disease, though the cause is worth identifying.
A 2024 review in Seminars in Orthodontics (Venugopal and colleagues) notes that normal gum display typically ranges from about 1 to 4 millimeters, and grades excess display as mild (2–4 mm), moderate (4–8 mm) or severe (more than 8 mm). How much gum is "too much" is also personal; what matters is whether it bothers you and what is causing it.
What causes a gummy smile?
A gummy smile can come from the gums, the teeth, the lip or the jaw — or several at once. The same review stresses that treatment should be chosen by cause, not by how many millimeters show.
| Cause | What is happening | Treatment that may fit |
|---|---|---|
| Altered passive eruption | Gum still covers part of the tooth crown, so teeth look short | Gum contouring; sometimes crown lengthening that also reshapes bone |
| Gum overgrowth | Swollen or thickened gums, e.g. around braces or from inflammation | Gum treatment first, then contouring if needed |
| Short or very mobile upper lip | Lip lifts higher than average when smiling | Lip-focused treatments by a suitable specialist |
| Over-erupted front teeth | Front teeth and gums sit lower than the rest | Orthodontic intrusion |
| Vertical maxillary excess | Upper jaw is vertically long | Jaw surgery referral in severe cases |
At Lucid Dental Clinic, the in-house options are gum contouring, gum treatment and orthodontics. If your gummy smile comes mainly from the lip or jaw, Dr. Park Hyun-min will explain that honestly so you can seek the right specialist.
What is gum contouring?
Gum contouring is a minor procedure that removes a small amount of excess gum tissue and reshapes the gumline, making teeth look longer and more even. Cleveland Clinic describes it as treating excessive gingival display and uneven gumlines, performed with a scalpel or a dental laser.
It is often paired with veneers. When gum covers part of a tooth, veneers made to the short visible crown can look square; adjusting the gumline first lets LUCINATE veneers follow better proportions.
How much does gum contouring cost in Seoul?
Lucid Dental Clinic's published reference fee for gum contouring is ₩100,000 per tooth(about US$70 at roughly ₩1,400 per US$ — check today's rate).
| Teeth treated | Gum contouring (KRW, from) |
|---|---|
| 1 tooth (single uneven gumline) | ₩100,000 |
| 6 teeth (upper canine to canine) | ₩600,000 |
| 8 teeth (wider smile line) | ₩800,000 |
| 10 teeth | ₩1,000,000 |
These are reference "from" prices. If bone reshaping, graft material or other treatment is needed, the fee changes and is explained before you decide. Cosmetic gum contouring is typically not covered by NHIS.
What happens during gum contouring?
- Exam and X-rays to find the cause and check where the bone sits under the gum.
- Smile analysis with photos, measuring how much gum shows and how long the teeth are. See smile design in Seoul.
- Marking the new gumline so you can agree the shape before any change.
- Local anesthetic to numb the area.
- Reshaping of gum tissue, and bone if the plan requires it.
- Aftercare instructions and a review appointment.
How long does gum contouring take to heal?
Recovery is usually quick. Cleveland Clinic reports that healing takes about one week or less for most people, and many return to work within one to two days.
- Expect some tenderness; eat soft, lukewarm food for the first days.
- Avoid very spicy food — a real consideration in Korea — until the gums settle.
- Brush gently near the treated area as instructed.
- If veneers are planned, the dentist will tell you how long the gums should settle before final impressions.
Is gum contouring the same as crown lengthening?
Not exactly. Gum contouring reshapes soft gum tissue only, while crown lengthening also adjusts the bone beneath so the new gumline stays stable. Which one you need depends on how close the bone sits to the planned gumline.
| Gum contouring | Crown lengthening | |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue changed | Gum only | Gum and supporting bone |
| Typical use | Excess gum over healthy tooth crowns | When bone is too close to the planned gumline, or more tooth is needed for a restoration |
| Healing | Usually quicker | Usually longer |
Your X-rays and a gentle measurement under the gum tell the dentist which applies, and the plan and fee are explained before treatment.
Is the result permanent?
In most cases, yes. Cleveland Clinic notes that gum tissue can rarely grow back, especially if the underlying bone level was not addressed. That is why the exam checks the gum-to-bone relationship before contouring.
If your front teeth themselves sit too low, orthodontic options such as anterior teeth alignment may be discussed instead of, or alongside, contouring.
Can I have gum contouring during a trip to Seoul?
Gum contouring alone is a short procedure, so many visitors can fit it into a stay in Seoul, including when combined with veneers. The number of days depends on the full plan. Read our international patients guide and the veneers in Seoul page if you are planning both.
Book a consultation
A front-facing photo of your natural smile helps with a first discussion. Message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or use our WhatsApp booking link. Lucid Dental Clinic is on the 3rd–4th floors of the COWAY Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, directly in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station (Line 9). Hours: Mon & Fri 10:00–18:00, Tue–Thu 10:00–20:30, Sat and public holidays 10:00–16:00; closed Sundays.
Frequently asked questions
Does gum contouring hurt?
The area is numbed with local anesthetic, so most people feel pressure rather than sharp pain during the procedure. Afterward, tenderness for a few days is common and usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief as advised.
Can gum contouring be done at the same time as veneers?
It is often planned together with veneers, but the gums usually need some time to settle before final veneer impressions or fitting. The dentist will set the sequence based on your plan and travel dates.
Will my gums grow back after contouring?
In most cases the result is lasting. Gum can occasionally regrow, particularly when the bone underneath was too close to the new gumline, which is why X-rays and careful planning come first.
Is a gummy smile a health problem?
Usually it is a cosmetic concern. However, swollen or overgrown gums can signal inflammation or gum disease, which should be treated before any cosmetic work.
Can Botox fix a gummy smile?
Lip-relaxing injections are one approach used for gummy smiles caused mainly by a very mobile upper lip. They are not a dental procedure at Lucid Dental; if your gummy smile is lip-related, the dentist will explain your options.
How many teeth need gum contouring?
Most smile-focused cases treat the teeth visible when you smile, often six to eight upper teeth. Sometimes only one or two uneven teeth need adjusting.