Your gums frame your smile. Let’s make the frame match the picture.
A gummy smile, an uneven gum line, or receding gums can hold back otherwise healthy teeth. Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD offers a full range of gum treatments — from gentle reshaping to the minimally invasive Pinhole Surgical Technique.
Treatments for a healthier, more symmetrical smile
Crown lengthening
Reshapes excess gum tissue to reveal more natural tooth — for a “gummy” smile, a more even gum line, or to prepare for restorative work. Results are visible immediately.
Gingivectomy
Removes swollen or enlarged gum tissue to improve aesthetics and make daily home care easier by reducing pockets between teeth and gums.
Frenectomy
Releases an oversized band of tissue that restricts the lip or tongue, affects speech or chewing, or contributes to gaps and gum recession.
Scaling & root planing
A non-surgical deep cleaning that removes tartar and bacterial toxins below the gum line — often catching gum disease before surgery is ever needed.
Pinhole Surgical Technique™
A graft-free alternative for receding gums: no cutting, no stitches, minimal post-operative symptoms, and an instant cosmetic improvement for most patients.
Not sure what you need?
Most patients aren’t. Your consultation identifies exactly what’s going on with your gums — and what it will take to fix it.
Why treating gums early matters
Gingivitis is often the first sign of gum disease. Plaque that isn’t brushed away hardens into tartar, and the bacteria in it slowly break down the connective tissue between teeth and gums, forming “pockets.” Caught at this stage, the effects are still reversible — often with a deep cleaning instead of surgery. Left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth and bone loss.
- EvaluationDr. Arielle Forbes, DMD examines your gum health and the shape of your gum line, and explains what she sees in plain language.
- A plan matched to your caseFrom a deep cleaning to precise reshaping or the Pinhole technique — the treatment fits the problem, not the other way around.
- Treatment & healingProcedures are performed under local anesthesia. Many patients see the cosmetic difference right away, with full healing over the following weeks.
Since there is no cutting or stitching, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms — and most are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement.
Gum treatment questions, answered
What is crown lengthening?
A common surgical procedure that exposes more of the natural tooth by gently reshaping or removing excess gum and bone tissue under local anesthesia. It can fix a “gummy” smile, even out the gum line, or prepare a tooth for a filling or crown. You’ll notice a wider, more symmetrical smile immediately; full healing typically takes 2–3 months.
What is a gingivectomy?
A procedure that removes excess gum tissue — either to improve aesthetics or to reduce pocket depth between teeth and gums for easier home care. The area is fully numbed, excess tissue is carefully removed, and a protective bandage covers the gums while they heal.
What is a frenectomy, and who needs one?
A frenectomy removes or loosens a band of tissue (the frenum) connecting the lip, cheek, or floor of the mouth. An oversized frenum can restrict lip or tongue movement, affect speech or chewing, contribute to a gap between front teeth, or cause gum recession — in both children and adults.
What is scaling and root planing?
A non-surgical “deep cleaning” that removes hardened tartar and bacterial toxins from below the gum line. Caught early enough, gum disease can often be treated this way — returning the supporting structures of your teeth to a healthy, maintainable state without gum surgery.
How does the Pinhole Surgical Technique treat receding gums?
Instead of traditional soft-tissue grafting, small needle-sized holes are made in the gum, and specially designed instruments loosen and guide the tissue back over the receded part of the tooth. With no cutting or stitching, patients can expect minimal post-operative symptoms — and most are pleasantly surprised by the instant cosmetic improvement. Dr. Forbes is trained and certified in the technique.
Wondering what’s possible for your gum line?
Your desired smile is closer than you think. The consultation with Dr. Arielle Forbes, DMD is free — and so is the honest assessment.
Book your free consultation