Gummy Smile Treatment in Downtown Santa Barbara
Looking for gummy smile treatment in Santa Barbara? Dr. Hlavaty offers personalized solutions with artistry and precision. Request a consultation today.
Care designed around you.
Dr. Shawn Hlavaty's path to dentistry began with a career in landscape architecture — a discipline built on proportion, balance, and natural harmony. That design-trained eye shapes every treatment at Hlavaty Dental Arts, where clinical precision and artistry work together.
New patients are always welcome at our boutique Santa Barbara practice, and our in-house membership plan offers transparent pricing — so you can explore your options with clarity and confidence.
If excess gum tissue keeps you from smiling with confidence, you are not alone — and a solution may be closer than you think. Dr. Shawn Hlavaty brings a design-trained eye and over 19 years of clinical experience to every gummy smile treatment he provides at Hlavaty Dental Arts. New patients are always welcome, and an in-house membership plan is available for those without traditional insurance.
Why Patients Choose Gummy Smile Treatment
Restore Balance and Confidence to Your Smile
A gummy smile — where a significant amount of gum tissue is visible above the upper teeth — is perfectly healthy, but many patients feel it draws attention away from their teeth. Gummy smile treatment is designed to create more balanced proportions between your gums, teeth, and lips so your smile feels like a true reflection of you. The result may help you smile more freely in photos, conversations, and everyday moments.
A Design-Trained Eye for Natural Results
Before becoming a dentist, Dr. Hlavaty worked as a landscape architect — a background that shaped how he approaches proportion, symmetry, and aesthetics. That design sensibility carries into every cosmetic dentistry procedure he performs, including gummy smile correction. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, he evaluates each patient's facial structure, lip line, and tooth dimensions to craft results that look naturally beautiful.
What Causes a Gummy Smile?
Several factors may contribute to a gummy smile. Excess gum tissue can cover too much of the tooth surface, making teeth appear short. In other cases, the upper jaw may have grown longer than average, or the upper lip may rise higher than usual when smiling. Sometimes a combination of these factors is involved. Understanding the underlying cause is essential because it determines which treatment approach will deliver the most effective, lasting outcome.
Gummy Smile Treatment Options
Dr. Hlavaty tailors every treatment plan to the individual. During your consultation, he will recommend the option — or combination of options — best suited to your anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Crown Lengthening and Gum Recontouring
Crown lengthening gently removes or reshapes excess gum tissue to reveal more of the natural tooth structure beneath. This is one of the most common approaches to a gummy smile fix and may be combined with porcelain veneers or other restorations as part of a broader smile makeover. The procedure is performed with precision and care in our comfortable, spa-like setting.
Lip Repositioning
When the gummy smile is caused primarily by how the upper lip moves, lip repositioning may be recommended. This procedure limits how far the lip rises when you smile, reducing the amount of gum tissue that shows. It is a less commonly discussed option, but it can be highly effective for the right candidate.
Gummy Smile Treatment vs. Facial Rejuvenation (Botox)
Some patients explore injectable treatments as a temporary gummy smile fix. Facial rejuvenation using Botox can relax the muscles that elevate the upper lip, reducing gum display for several months at a time. While this approach is less invasive and requires no recovery time, results are temporary and require repeat visits. Surgical options such as crown lengthening or lip repositioning are designed to deliver longer-lasting correction. Dr. Hlavaty can help you weigh the benefits of each during your visit.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Your appointment begins with a thorough evaluation. Dr. Hlavaty will examine your gum tissue, tooth proportions, bone structure, and lip dynamics. He takes the time to listen to your concerns and explain every option clearly — with no pressure and no upselling. If treatment is recommended, he will walk you through the procedure, expected timeline, and recovery so you feel fully informed before moving forward. For details about our membership plan and financing options, our team is happy to help.
Why Addressing Dental Concerns Early Matters
Small Concerns Rarely Stay Small
A minor issue today — a chip, a cavity, a missing tooth, or lingering discomfort — tends to progress over time, often becoming more complex and more involved to treat. Addressing it early usually means simpler, more comfortable, and more predictable care.
Dr. Hlavaty's advanced 3D diagnostics and unhurried consultations help identify concerns before they escalate — so you can make confident, informed decisions on your own timeline.
Gummy Smile Treatment Cost & Payment Options
The cost of your Gummy Smile Treatment treatment depends on your specific needs, the complexity of your case, and the scope of care involved. Because every patient is unique, Dr. Hlavaty provides a clear, personalized estimate during your consultation — with no pressure and no surprises.
Our in-house Hlavaty Dental Arts Membership Plan offers a transparent alternative to traditional insurance, and we provide flexible financing so cost never stands between you and the care you need.
Boutique Dentist & Designer
Why Hlavaty Dental Arts for Gummy Smile Treatment
A Design-Trained Eye & Clinical Rigor
Dr. Hlavaty's background in landscape architecture — a discipline built on proportion, balance, and aesthetic harmony — carries directly into his dentistry. Combined with his NYU training and memberships in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, his work reflects both artistic vision and clinical precision.
Spa-Like Comfort & Sedation Options
Our boutique practice is designed to feel more like a retreat than a clinical office, with noise-canceling headphones, warm towels, soft blankets, and ceiling-mounted TVs in every treatment room. For patients who need additional support, we offer sedation options ranging from nitrous oxide to IV sedation, so you can feel completely at ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few things patients often ask. Don't see your question? We'd love to hear from you.
How long does gummy smile treatment take?+
Treatment time depends on the approach recommended for your unique case. Gum recontouring may be completed in a single visit, while more involved procedures such as crown lengthening may require a short healing period before final results are visible. Dr. Hlavaty will outline a clear timeline during your consultation.
Is gummy smile surgery painful?+
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the experience is. Local anesthesia is used during the procedure, and sedation options are available for patients who prefer additional relaxation. Any mild soreness afterward is typically managed easily with over-the-counter medication.
How much does a gummy smile fix cost?+
The cost of a gummy smile fix varies based on the technique used and the extent of correction needed. Hlavaty Dental Arts offers an in-house membership plan as an alternative to traditional insurance. Request a consultation for personalized details.
Am I a candidate for gummy smile treatment?+
Most patients who feel self-conscious about excess gum tissue showing when they smile are good candidates. During your consultation, Dr. Hlavaty will evaluate your gum tissue, tooth proportions, lip movement, and bone structure to recommend the most effective approach for your goals.
Your smile, considered.
Let's start with a quiet conversation. Tell us what you're hoping for — we'll handle the rest.