Author name: Erica Chafin

Do you feel like too much gum shows when you smile? If your teeth look short or hidden, even if they’re healthy, you might have what’s known as a gummy smile, and you’re not alone. At District Dental Surgery, our periodontists specialize in aesthetic crown lengthening to reshape the gumline and reveal more natural tooth structure for a balanced, confident smile. With offices in Washington, DC and Bethesda, Maryland, we help patients across DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland transform their gummy smiles with expert care. In this blog post, we’ll explain how aesthetic crown lengthening works, who it’s right for, what to expect during recovery, and how it fits into a complete smile makeover. What Is a Gummy Smile? A “gummy smile” isn’t just about how it looks. It happens when excess gum tissue and sometimes bone cover the teeth, making them appear smaller than they actually are. This can throw off the proportions of your smile and make you feel self-conscious, even if your teeth are perfectly healthy. Several factors can cause this: Extra gum tissue covering part of the teeth Teeth that didn’t fully emerge through the gums Overactive lip muscles that lift the upper lip higher Excess bone around the teeth No matter the cause, Aesthetic Crown Lengthening can help. How Aesthetic Crown Lengthening Fixes a Gummy Smile Aesthetic crown lengthening removes and reshapes the excess gum tissue (and, when needed, the bone beneath it) to uncover more of your natural tooth structure. This allows your teeth to look longer and more balanced, without changing the teeth themselves. Think of it as contouring for your gumline. In just one visit, we can significantly transform your smile and boost your confidence. This treatment is performed by a periodontist, a specialist who focuses on gums and bone support. By precisely removing excess tissue, your smile instantly looks longer and more proportioned. What to Expect After Aesthetic Crown Lengthening Recovery is usually quick and manageable. You may experience some mild swelling or tenderness for a few days, but most patients are back to their usual activities soon after treatment. We provide: Detailed aftercare instructions Follow-up visits to check healing Support from our team every step of the way Our goal is not just to improve your smile, but to make sure you feel cared for during the entire process. Watch Dr. Yousefi Explain Gummy Smiles & Crown Lengthening Want to see exactly how it works? In this video, Dr. Raha Yousefi breaks down everything you need to know about gummy smiles and how we correct them using aesthetic crown lengthening. Using two real patient cases, she explains: What a gummy smile is Why extra gum and bone tissue can make teeth look short or hidden How crown lengthening reshapes the gumline and bone for longer, more balanced teeth What you can expect during recovery https://youtu.be/HwiArkmP3t4 Is Aesthetic Crown Lengthening Right for You? If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt like your smile shows “too much gum,” this could be the perfect solution. The best part? It’s a permanent fix—once the tissue is reshaped, it won’t grow back. We recommend a consultation with our periodontist, Dr. Raha Yousefi, who will evaluate your gum and bone structure and walk you through what’s possible. Book Your Consultation Today Don’t let a gummy smile hold you back. With aesthetic crown lengthening, you can achieve a more balanced, confident, and natural-looking smile—often in just one visit. 📍 Visit us at District Dental Surgery in Washington, DC or Bethesda, MD Book Online