Show More Teeth, Less Gum

Gummy Smile Treatment

Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London W1

Feel like too much gum shows when you smile? A 'gummy smile' is far more common than most people realise, and it can be treated. Our cosmetic dentists in Marylebone offer several approaches to reduce gum visibility and bring your teeth to the fore.

Treatment Options

Gum Contouring

from £175

✨ Love Your Smile Again - See Results Same Day

GDC Registered
Dentist-Led Care
Marylebone, W1

What is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile, clinically, excessive gingival display, means more than 3–4mm of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth when smiling. It isn't a medical problem in itself, though many people feel self-conscious about it. Happily, several effective treatments exist. The cause and severity must be clinically assessed before options can be confirmed.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Understanding the cause determines the best treatment

🦷

Excessive Gum Tissue

Too much gum covers your teeth, making them appear short. This is often genetic.

Treatment: Gum contouring / Crown lengthening
🦴

Vertical Maxillary Excess

The upper jaw bone is longer than average, causing excessive gum display.

Treatment: Orthognathic surgery (severe cases)
📏

Teeth Appear Short

Teeth didn't fully erupt, or excessive wear has made them shorter.

Treatment: Crown lengthening / Veneers
💊

Gum Overgrowth

Certain medications or conditions cause gums to enlarge over the teeth.

Treatment: Gum contouring

Gummy Smile Self-Assessment

Answer these questions to help us understand your concerns:

Do you show more than 3-4mm of gum when you smile naturally?
Do your teeth look short or 'stubby'?
Does your upper lip seem to rise very high when you smile?
Is your gumline uneven?
Do you avoid smiling in photos?

Gummy Smile Treatment Options

The right treatment depends on what's causing your gummy smile, and a combined approach often works well.

Gum Contouring (Gingivectomy)

from £350
from £350

Remove excess gum tissue to reveal more tooth structure where clinically appropriate. Outcomes and longevity vary depending on anatomy, technique, and aftercare.

Best for: Excess gum tissue covering teeth

Procedure: Surgical removal of gum tissue
Recovery: 7-10 days
Results
Long-term

Crown Lengthening

from £600
from £600

Removes both gum and bone to expose more tooth structure. Can achieve greater changes in tooth exposure compared to non-surgical options, where clinically necessary.

Best for: Teeth that appear very short

Procedure: Surgical reshaping of gum and bone
Recovery: 2-3 weeks
Results
Long-term

Veneers / Crowns

from £595
from £595

Lengthen the appearance of teeth with porcelain restorations. Often combined with gum contouring.

Best for: Short or worn teeth + smile makeover

Procedure: Custom porcelain shells bonded to teeth
Recovery: None
Results
10-15+ years

Your Treatment Journey

1

Smile Analysis

We photograph and measure your smile, identifying exactly what's causing excessive gum display.

30 mins
2

Customised Plan

Based on the cause, we recommend the most effective treatment or combination. You'll see predicted results.

Same visit
3

Treatment

Most treatments are quick, typically 30-60 minutes for gum contouring. All done under local anaesthetic.

30-90 mins
4

Reveal Your Smile

Results are often visible immediately. We'll ensure you're delighted and provide aftercare instructions.

Same day

Transformation is Possible

Same Day
Visible improvement in many cases
In-House
Assessment and treatment under one roof

Frequently Asked Questions

Usually it's a cosmetic concern rather than a health issue, though occasionally it points to underlying dental or periodontal factors that need assessing. Where excess gum stems from gum disease or medication-related overgrowth, treatment can benefit oral health too. Most patients simply want to feel less self-conscious about the amount of gum on show.

Smile Without Holding Back

Book a consultation at our Marylebone clinic and find out which gummy smile treatment suits you.

Open Monday–Saturday • Marylebone, London

Google reviews of our sister clinic, South Kensington Medical & Dental.

Registered. Regulated. Trusted.

At Wimpole Street Medical & Dental, our clinicians are registered with the relevant UK regulatory bodies, including the GDC, GMC and NMC. Our dentists, dental nurses and medical professionals deliver care that meets the highest clinical, safety and ethical standards, because our patients deserve nothing less.

General Dental Council logo
General Medical Council logo
Nursing and Midwifery Council logo

We Accept All Major Dental Insurances

We accept all major UK dental insurances, including AXA PPP Healthcare Dental Cover, Aviva Dental Insurance, Bupa Dental Cover, Cigna Dental Insurance, Vitality Dental Health Insurance, Unum and Boots Dental Plan Cover. We provide itemised receipts so you can claim back your treatment costs.

Aviva Dental Insurance accepted at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental
AXA PPP Healthcare Dental Cover accepted at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental
Bupa Dental Cover accepted at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental
Cigna Dental Insurance accepted at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental
Vitality Dental Health Insurance accepted at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental
Unum Dental Cover accepted at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental
Boots Dental Plan Cover accepted at Wimpole Street Medical & Dental
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Opening 1 October 2026
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