If excessive gum tissue makes your teeth look short, or an uneven gum line creates an unbalanced smile, gum contouring can transform your appearance in a single appointment. Using advanced dental laser technology, we precisely reshape your gum line to reveal more of your natural tooth structure — creating the balanced, proportionate smile you've always wanted. The laser approach means minimal bleeding, faster healing, and less discomfort than traditional methods. And for patients who feel anxious about any dental procedure, our sedation options ensure you're completely comfortable throughout.
Gum contouring — also called gingivectomy or gum reshaping — uses a specialized dental laser to remove excess gum tissue and sculpt a more aesthetically pleasing gum line. We're not changing your teeth — we're adjusting how much tooth shows when you smile by reshaping the soft tissue that frames them.
Many people don't realize that their teeth may actually be a normal size — they just appear short because excess gum tissue covers too much of the crown. By carefully removing this excess tissue, we reveal the full natural tooth underneath. The visual difference is often dramatic: teeth that looked small and stubby suddenly appear longer, more proportionate, and more attractive.
The dental laser offers significant advantages over traditional surgical methods. It removes tissue with extreme precision — working in increments as small as 0.5 millimetres — while simultaneously sealing blood vessels and nerve endings. This means less bleeding during the procedure, less post-operative pain, lower risk of infection, and faster healing. Most patients describe the recovery as surprisingly easy — mild tenderness for a few days, far less uncomfortable than having braces tightened.
Results are immediate and permanent. You'll see the difference as soon as the procedure is complete, and because gum tissue doesn't grow back the way it was, your new smile proportions are yours to keep.
Sedation options ensure you're completely comfortable — whether you need mild relaxation or deep sedation.
We take photographs and use digital imaging to map your current gum line and design your ideal smile proportions. You'll see a preview of the expected result and have input on the final design.
Local anaesthetic numbs the treatment area completely. Your chosen sedation option — nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation — ensures you're relaxed and comfortable throughout.
The dental laser precisely removes excess gum tissue, working in 0.5-1mm increments for optimal accuracy. The laser simultaneously seals blood vessels and nerve endings, minimizing bleeding and discomfort.
We verify that the gum line is symmetrical and balanced across your entire smile. Fine adjustments ensure both sides match and proportions look natural.
The procedure is complete in 30-90 minutes depending on complexity. You leave with an immediately visible improvement — more tooth showing, balanced gum line, and a more confident smile.
Recovery from laser gum contouring is straightforward, and most patients are pleasantly surprised by how easy it is. In the first 24-48 hours, you may experience mild tenderness at the treatment sites and some swelling that peaks around the second day. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient — many patients don't need any pain medication at all. Sleeping with your head slightly elevated helps minimize swelling.
During the first week, stick to soft foods — smoothies, yogurt, scrambled eggs, soup, pasta — and avoid very hot foods or beverages. Don't brush directly over the treated areas for the first few days; instead, rinse gently with the antimicrobial mouthwash we provide. Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or touching the healing tissue.
The healing timeline is encouraging. Initial healing occurs within 3-5 days, and the gum tissue looks normal within 1-2 weeks. Full tissue maturation takes about 3 months, at which point you'll see the final, polished result. Most patients return to work the day after the procedure with no visible signs of treatment.
Gum contouring is powerful on its own, but it's often most impressive when combined with other cosmetic treatments as part of a complete smile makeover.
Gum contouring combined with teeth whitening is one of our most popular combinations — reshaping and brightening in a coordinated plan that dramatically improves your smile. Gum contouring combined with porcelain veneers creates the most complete transformation — perfect gum proportions framing beautifully crafted veneers for a celebrity-calibre smile. Gum contouring with dental bonding is a more conservative option — composite bonding reshapes teeth while we perfect the gum line underneath, achieving a natural improvement without the commitment of veneers.
Our approach is holistic. We consider tooth shape, size, colour, alignment, and gum proportions together to design a result that looks natural and harmonious — not just technically correct.
Gum contouring delivers dramatic cosmetic improvement at a fraction of the cost of veneers.
Primarily cosmetic — insurance coverage is typically limited.
If medically indicated for periodontal health, partial coverage may apply.
Coverage verified before treatment.
Our patients consistently rate us 5 stars for gentle, anxiety-free care. Read verified patient experiences on Google.
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