A gum lift or gingivectomy is a procedure that can be done to reshape the gums to provide a more pleasing smile. Gums are reshaped for numerous reasons: some people have gums that have not receded after the permanent tooth erupts, while others have lips that allow a lot of gum to show when a person smile. In some cases, gums can recede over time and expose more of the tooth surface than is desired.

Having a ‘gummy’ smile or short teeth can cause a person to be very self-conscious about their appearance. A gum lift is simply a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of the teeth by equalizing the gum levels or increasing the visible length of tooth. Gum lifts are normally only done on the front teeth as these are the ones that are most visible when a person smiles.