Excessive or Uneven Gums
Reshape gummy smiles and uneven gum lines with gentle laser contouring — a comfortable, single-visit fix with permanent results and no stitches.
Reshaping Your Smile, One Detail at a Time
Sometimes the thing that bothers you about your smile isn't your teeth — it's your gums. Maybe you feel like you show too much gum when you smile. Maybe your gum line is uneven, with one tooth looking longer than the others. Maybe one tooth has too much gum covering it, making it look short and stubby compared to its neighbors.
These are real concerns, and they're fixable. Dr. Carroll uses gentle laser-based gum contouring to reshape and even out your gum line, giving your smile a more balanced, proportionate look. The procedure is quick, comfortable, and the results are permanent.
What Can Gum Reshaping Fix?
Gum contouring works for several common cosmetic concerns:
- A gummy smile (when too much gum shows above your top teeth)
- An uneven gum line where one tooth looks shorter than the others
- Gums that cover too much of a tooth, making it look small or square
- Asymmetry from one side of your smile to the other
- Exposing more tooth structure to make room for a crown or veneer
What to Expect
The process is quicker and more comfortable than people expect — usually done in a single visit:
- 1Dr. Carroll starts by listening to what you'd like to change. We'll talk through your goals and look at your smile together to figure out the best approach.
- 2The area is gently numbed so you don't feel anything during the procedure.
- 3Using a soft tissue laser, Dr. Carroll carefully reshapes the gum line, removing excess tissue and creating a more even contour. The laser seals as it cuts, so there's minimal bleeding and faster healing.
- 4After a quick check to make sure everything looks right, you're done. Most patients are in and out in under an hour.
You'll see the new shape right away. Some mild tenderness for a day or two is normal, but most patients are back to normal within a few days.
Why Laser Treatment Is Better
Old-school gum surgery meant scalpels, stitches, and a longer recovery. Modern dental lasers like ours are a different experience entirely:
- Far less bleeding — the laser seals tissue as it works
- No stitches needed in most cases
- Less swelling and discomfort afterward
- Faster healing and recovery
- More precise reshaping
Dr. Carroll uses a Biolase dental laser for soft tissue procedures like this — gentler, faster, and more comfortable than traditional methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does gum reshaping hurt?
No. Dr. Carroll uses local anesthesia to numb the area, and the laser-based approach is much gentler than traditional gum surgery. Most patients are surprised at how easy it is. Some mild tenderness afterward is normal but goes away within a few days.
How long does it take to heal?
Most patients feel back to normal within a week. The gum tissue heals quickly when treated with a laser, with much less swelling and discomfort than traditional surgery.
Are the results permanent?
Yes. Once the gum line is reshaped, it stays that way. The new contour is permanent.
Will my insurance cover this?
Most cosmetic gum contouring is not covered by insurance because it's elective. However, if there's a functional reason (like exposing more tooth structure for a crown), it may be partially covered. We're happy to help you check.
If a gummy smile or uneven gum line has been bothering you for years — and you didn't realize it was something we could fix — give us a call. We'll take a look and talk through your options.
Schedule a Consultation
Bothered by your gum line? Let's take a look together and see what's possible.
Book AppointmentQuick Facts
• Single visit, under an hour
• Gentle laser-based treatment
• Minimal bleeding, no stitches
• Permanent results
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