The invention relates to gum shaping device having a proximal cylindrical gum shaping portion and a distal engagement portion for engagement with a threaded internal passage of a dental implant. The gum shaping device is characterised in that the proximal gum shaping portion comprises retaining means for holding the gum tissue in a desired vertical position.The invention further relates to a method for the aesthetic vertical repositioning of gum tissue in the proximity of a dental implant, characterised by comprising the steps:a) inserting a gum shaping device comprising retaining means for holding the gum tissue in a given vertical position into a dental implant implanted at an implantation site,b) attaching the gum tissue to the retaining means of the gum shaping device.