Facial Contouring in Finchley for a Balanced Smile

Facial contouring suits people with specific cosmetic concerns who otherwise have healthy teeth and gums. You are a good candidate if you want to address a gummy smile where excess gum tissue makes teeth look short. It also helps when the gum line is uneven across teeth. For the teeth, the enamel reshaping procedure can fix small chips, mild misalignments, and uneven tooth lengths. It is a conservative way to improve your smile without invasive work. For example, a Finchley patient arrived because one front tooth was a bit longer; a short reshaping session achieved symmetry.

Your treatment begins with a 30 minute consultation at our Finchley clinic. We discuss goals and assess teeth and gums to confirm suitability. For gum contouring, the procedure typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. We use a soft tissue laser to remove and shape excess gum tissue precisely. This is done under local anaesthetic, so you feel no pain. The laser seals the tissue as it works, resulting in minimal bleeding and faster healing. For tooth reshaping, the process is even quicker, often under 30 minutes. We use fine sanding discs and polishing tools to remove tiny amounts of enamel and reshape the tooth. No anaesthetic is needed for this, as it is painless. Often both procedures are completed in a single appointment.

Recovery from facial contouring is straightforward. After tooth reshaping, there is no recovery time and you are able to eat and drink normally immediately. After laser gum contouring, you may experience mild tenderness and swelling for the first 24 to 48 hours. This is easily managed with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. We recommend soft foods for a couple of days and avoiding anything very hot, spicy, or crunchy. You should also brush gently around the treated area for the first week. Red flags requiring a call include severe or increasing pain, significant bleeding, or signs of infection such as pus or fever. For emergencies outside these hours, call 111 or visit your nearest A&E. Office hours are Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5 and Tue/Thu 11-7.

While facial contouring suits minor adjustments, other treatments may suit different goals. Composite Bonding: If you have more significant chips, gaps, or want to change a tooth's shape more dramatically, composite bonding is a better option. It involves adding tooth coloured resin to build up the tooth structure. Porcelain Veneers: For a full smile makeover involving changes to colour, shape, and alignment of multiple teeth, veneers offer a more comprehensive and durable solution. They cover the entire front surface of the tooth. Orthodontic Treatment: If the main concern is crookedness or significant overlapping, treatments like Invisalign move the teeth into the correct position first. Contouring can then be used as a final touch-up.

To choose wisely, ask these questions during your visit, whether here or at another practice in North London: Will I be a good candidate for gum contouring, tooth reshaping, or both? How much will the procedure cost and is it part of a broader plan? What technology do you use for gum contouring such as laser or scalpel? How much enamel is removed and are there long term risks like sensitivity? Are the results permanent? Do you have before and after photos of similar cases? What aftercare steps will I need to follow?

Since facial contouring is a highly personalised cosmetic treatment, a fixed price cannot be given without a consultation. The cost depends on whether gum contouring, tooth reshaping, or both are needed, and how many teeth are involved. Tooth reshaping starts from about £150 per tooth, while laser gum contouring is usually quoted per arch. At the initial assessment we provide a detailed treatment plan with a full, transparent breakdown of costs and no hidden fees. A recent patient from Barnet combined gum contouring on her upper front teeth with minor reshaping of canines for a total of £850. As this is cosmetic work, it is not usually covered by dental insurance, but we accept plans from Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna for other treatments.