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If your teeth look short or your smile shows more gum than you would like, laser gum contouring may help create a more balanced gumline. The treatment reshapes excess gum tissue to reveal more of the natural tooth and improve the proportions of your smile.
Is Laser Contouring Right for Every Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile can have several causes. Laser contouring works best when excess gum tissue makes otherwise healthy teeth appear shorter than they are.
Other possible causes include:
- Swollen or overgrown gum tissue
- Naturally short or worn teeth
- A short or highly mobile upper lip
- The position of the upper teeth
- The size or position of the upper jaw
- Supporting bone that sits close to the visible gumline
Before recommending treatment, we examine your gums, teeth, smile line, and facial proportions. This helps us determine whether removing soft tissue can create the desired result without exposing the roots or affecting gum health.
We also check for redness, swelling, or overgrowth related to plaque, gum disease, or medication. These concerns may need to be addressed before cosmetic gum reshaping. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without speaking with the provider who manages it.
How Laser Gum Contouring Works
Laser gum contouring uses a diode soft-tissue laser to carefully remove excess gum tissue and reshape the gumline around the teeth. As the laser works, it also helps control bleeding, and sutures may not be necessary.
Before treatment, we plan the new gumline based on your tooth proportions, smile, and the amount of healthy tooth structure that can be safely exposed. Contouring may involve just one or two teeth to improve an uneven gumline or several front teeth to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile.
Digital Smile Design may also be used to plan how the new gumline will complement the size and shape of your teeth. When appropriate, laser gum contouring can be coordinated with dental bonding, veneers, crowns, or other cosmetic treatment to create balanced smile proportions.
What To Expect During Recovery
We numb the treatment area before reshaping the gums. Afterward, you may notice mild tenderness, redness, or swelling for several days. Recovery time depends on how much tissue we treated and how many teeth were involved.
During the first few days, we may recommend that you:
- Choose soft foods that will not irritate the gums
- Avoid spicy, crunchy, or very hot foods
- Brush gently around the treated area
- Use a recommended mouth rinse as directed
- Avoid smoking while the tissue heals
- Contact our office if pain, swelling, or bleeding becomes worse
The gumline can look uneven or fuller while the swelling subsides. Although the area may feel better within approximately one week, the tissue will continue to settle afterward. We assess the final contour once healing has progressed.
What Helps the Results Last?
Careful planning and healthy gums support a stable result. Factors that can affect the gumline over time include:
- Gum inflammation: Plaque buildup can cause swelling and make the gums appear larger.
- Oral hygiene: Gentle brushing, daily flossing, and regular cleanings help maintain healthy tissue.
- Gum thickness: Thicker gum tissue may move more as it heals.
- Medication-related overgrowth: Certain medications can cause the gums to enlarge again.
- Changes to the teeth: Wear, shifting, or later restorative treatment can alter the appearance of the smile.
Long-term results also depend on careful treatment planning. The goal is to expose an appropriate amount of natural tooth structure while maintaining a healthy, even gumline.
Can Gums Grow Back After Laser Gum Contouring?
Some gum tissue can move back toward its previous position as the area heals. This is known as gingival rebound, and it does not happen after every laser gum contouring procedure.
The likelihood of rebound depends partly on the relationship between the new gumline and the bone supporting the teeth. The gums need enough space to maintain a healthy attachment around each tooth. If the underlying bone is too close to the newly shaped gumline, some tissue may gradually move back over the tooth.
Gum thickness, inflammation, and the original cause of the gummy smile can also influence the final result. If the gumline changes noticeably after healing, we can evaluate the area to determine why it occurred and whether additional treatment would be appropriate.
Find Out if Laser Gum Contouring Is Right for You
A gummy smile can have several causes, and laser gum contouring is most effective when excess gum tissue is contributing to the appearance of short or uneven teeth. At Morris Dental Solutions, we evaluate your gum health, tooth proportions, and smile before determining whether reshaping the gumline is an appropriate option.
If you are considering laser gum contouring, schedule a consultation to learn what may be contributing to your gummy smile and which treatment options may help you achieve the result you are looking for.
To schedule an appointment at our dental office in Buffalo Grove, IL, call (847) 215-1511 or visit us at 195 N Arlington Heights Rd Ste 160, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089.
FAQs
The results can be long-lasting or permanent when excess soft tissue causes the gummy appearance and the gumline heals in a stable position. Some patients experience a degree of tissue rebound.
Initial tenderness and swelling often improve within approximately one week. The gums continue to settle after the surface heals, so we may wait several weeks before assessing the final result.
We numb the treatment area before reshaping the gums. You may experience mild tenderness afterward, but the laser controls bleeding as it works and recovery is generally manageable.
It works best when excess gum tissue covers healthy tooth structure. Gum display caused mainly by the upper lip, tooth position, jaw anatomy, or underlying bone may require a different or combined treatment.
