Gummy Smile Treatment in Walnut Creek, CA

Many Walnut Creek patients who live with a “gummy smile” describe a specific kind of self-consciousness that surfaces during the moments they should be enjoying most. Whether it’s a bright outdoor wedding photo at Heather Farm Park or a candid shot during a weekend brunch downtown, they often feel that their gums take center stage, making their teeth appear disproportionately small or “short.” In reality, the teeth are almost always a perfectly healthy, normal length—they are simply obscured by an overgrowth of gingival tissue.

The Anatomy of a Gummy Smile

In clinical terms, this is often referred to as excessive gingival display. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including the way the jaw developed, an overactive upper lip muscle, or simply the way the teeth erupted during childhood. As noted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), a balanced “aesthetic” smile typically reveals very little gum tissue above the upper teeth. When that balance is off, it can make the smile feel “heavy” or uneven.

Precision Gum Reshaping (Gingivectomy)

At Mona Lisa Smile Dental, we don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach to gum reshaping. Your dentist in Walnut Creek treats this procedure as a delicate blend of architecture and artistry. During the treatment, we gently and precisely remove the excess tissue to “lengthen” the appearance of the teeth.

The planning phase is where the “human-like” results are born. We don’t just look at the teeth in a static position; we analyze your:

Dynamic Lip Line: How high your lip moves when you are actually laughing or talking, not just posing.
Gingival Zenith: The highest point of the gumline for each individual tooth, which must be mapped correctly to ensure a symmetrical, natural-looking arch.
Tooth-to-Gum Ratio: Following the “Golden Proportion” principles to ensure your teeth look like they belong to your face shape.

The Technology of Comfort

Many patients are surprised to learn how conservative this procedure has become. High-authority resources like the Cleveland Clinic highlight that modern techniques—often involving specialized dental lasers—minimize bleeding and significantly shorten recovery times compared to traditional methods.

For our patients, this means:

Minimal Discomfort: The precision of the tools often eliminates the need for extensive suturing.
Rapid Healing: Most people return to their normal routines, like strolling through the Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market, within a day or two.
Permanent Results: Once the excess gum tissue is reshaped, it typically does not grow back, making this a lifelong enhancement to your facial balance.

Restoring Your Proportions and Confidence

The transformation is often immediate. By revealing the natural tooth structure that was already there, your smile suddenly looks more proportionate and “bright.” Patients frequently tell us that the biggest relief isn’t just the physical change, but the psychological freedom of no longer “holding back” their expressions.

Whether you’re presenting in a boardroom near Ygnacio Valley Rd or taking family portraits at Civic Park, the goal is a smile that feels balanced and authentic. You aren’t changing who you are; you’re just uncovering the smile that’s been hiding under the surface.