A cosmetic dentistry smile makeover simulation illustrating the use of gum sculpting.

Dental History: This person's smile displays an irregular gum line. It makes teeth #'s 2, 3, and 4 appear too short. One would normally expect the gum line on these teeth to be more in line with that found on tooth #1.

Treatment Plan Goals: Reposition the patient's gums (this procedure is sometimes referred to as "gum sculpting") around teeth #'s 2, 3, and 4 so a larger portion of these teeth is revealed.

Cosmetic Dentistry - Step #2: Perform the gum sculpting (a minor surgical procedure). Since teeth are usually bilaterally symmetrical in size and shape, tooth #4 will probably end up looking similar in appearance to tooth #1 after the gum reshaping. The final appearance of teeth #'s 2 and 3 might be comparable to our "after" picture, but the "real life" results would simply be dependent upon the actual shape of the teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry - Step #3: Reshape the biting edges of the lower teeth (accomplished in just a few minutes using a dental drill) so to make them more regular and even in appearance.