Your gums play a big role in how your smile looks. If they sit too low, look uneven, or cover too much of your teeth, it's easy to feel self-conscious. You might hold back a laugh or avoid photos — even when you have every reason to smile. The good news is that gum contouring can help, and it's far more comfortable than most people expect.
At Paramount Dental Arts, we want you to feel calm and informed before you ever sit in our chair. We use the Solea laser — an FDA-cleared CO2 laser built to treat both teeth and gum tissue — as part of our approach to laser dentistry. Below, we walk you through exactly what gum contouring involves, why we love using the Solea for it, and what your experience will look like from start to finish.
What Gum Contouring Is and Who It Helps
Reshaping the Frame of Your Smile
Gum contouring is a simple cosmetic procedure that reshapes your gumline to look more even and balanced. You may also hear it called gum reshaping or gingivoplasty. Most of the time, we remove a small amount of extra gum tissue and sculpt what remains into a smooth, natural curve. Once we do, more of your tooth surface shows — your teeth look longer, your gumline looks more even, and your whole smile feels more proportional.
Common Reasons Patients Choose Gum Contouring
Patients come to us for gum contouring for many reasons. Some people are born with a "gummy smile," where extra gum tissue makes their teeth look shorter than they are. Others notice their gumline sits higher on some teeth than others, giving their smile an uneven look. Some medications — including certain drugs for blood pressure, seizures, or immune conditions — can cause gum tissue to grow more than it should.
Gum contouring removes excess tissue, so it differs from a gum graft, which adds tissue back when gums have receded. During your exam, we also check whether your bone sits too close to the gumline. If it does, you may need a related procedure called crown lengthening — and we walk you through every option so nothing feels like a surprise.
Why We Use Lasers for Gum Contouring
How the Solea Laser Works
The Solea laser may sound technical, but the idea behind it is simple. It sends a focused beam of light that gently removes gum tissue with high precision. As it works, it also seals the tiny blood vessels in the area—meaning less bleeding and, for many patients, no stitches at all. Convergent Dental, the maker of Solea, earned the first FDA clearance for a CO2 laser that treats both teeth and soft tissue so that we can use it for a wide range of treatments beyond gum contouring. Patients often notice the difference compared to a traditional scalpel right away.
Benefits You Can Feel
Most patients tell us the Solea experience feels much gentler than they expected. Because the laser seals blood vessels as it goes, the procedure causes very little bleeding. Many people need few or no stitches. The laser also reduces bacteria in the treated area, which helps your gums heal cleanly. Swelling and soreness after treatment are usually mild. Because the Solea works with such precision, we can shape your gumline carefully for a natural-looking result. Whether you come to us for gum contouring or another treatment, we use the same gentle approach every time.
What Happens Before, During, and After Your Procedure
Your Consultation and Treatment Day
Everything starts with a conversation. At your consultation, we take a close look at your teeth and gums, go over your health history and any medications you take, and talk through what you'd like to change about your smile. We may take X-rays to check your bone levels and confirm that gum contouring suits your needs. Once we land on a plan you feel good about, we schedule your treatment.
On the day of your procedure, we numb the area with a local anesthetic so you stay comfortable the whole time. Most gum contouring appointments wrap up in about an hour or less, depending on how many teeth we treat. You head home the same day.
Healing and Aftercare
Most patients recover smoothly after laser gum contouring. You may feel mild tenderness for a few days, and most people manage that just fine with over-the-counter pain relievers. Your gums may look a little red or slightly white while they heal — that's completely normal. We recommend sticking to soft, cool foods like yogurt, eggs, and smoothies for the first few days, and avoiding anything spicy, acidic, crunchy, or very hot until things settle down. Brush gently around the treated area and follow any rinse instructions we send home with you. Many patients feel ready to return to work or school the next day, and most people reach full healing within a few weeks.
Your Path to a More Balanced Smile
A healthy, even gumline can do a lot for how you feel about your smile. Laser gum contouring gives us a comfortable, precise way to get you there. From your first visit to your last follow-up, we take time to answer your questions and make sure you feel at home with us. We work hard to keep every appointment relaxed and focused on what matters most — your goals. If you've been wondering whether gum contouring might be right for you, we'd love to talk it through. See us, and let's find out together.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Dentistry
Does laser gum contouring hurt?
Most patients feel very little during the procedure. We numb the area with a local anesthetic before we begin, so you stay comfortable throughout. Afterward, you may notice mild soreness for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers usually help. Patients also tend to report less discomfort after laser treatment than after traditional surgical methods.
How long does recovery take after laser gum treatment?
Recovery varies from person to person, but many patients feel like themselves again within just a few days. Your gums continue healing over the weeks that follow. Eating soft foods, brushing gently, and following our aftercare instructions all make a real difference in how quickly things settle down.
Is laser dentistry safe?
Yes. The FDA has cleared dental lasers — including the Solea — for use on both soft and hard tissue. We take safety seriously: you and our team both wear protective eyewear during treatment, and our dentists complete specific laser training to keep every procedure smooth and precise.
Does dental insurance cover laser gum contouring?
Coverage depends on your plan and the reason for the procedure. Most insurance plans treat cosmetic gum contouring as elective and don't cover it. That said, some plans may contribute when gum reshaping addresses a health issue, like excess growth caused by medication. Our team is happy to help you explore your coverage before you commit to anything.
What other treatments can dentists perform with lasers?
The Solea does a lot more than reshape gums. Because it treats both teeth and soft tissue, we use it for many everyday procedures—like removing decay before placing a filling, contouring gum tissue for a crown, treating gum disease, and releasing a tight tongue or lip tie (a frenectomy). We can also use it to collect a small tissue sample when we need a closer look. One gentle tool handles many needs — and you get the same comfortable experience every time.
At Paramount Dental Arts, we strive to give every patient a comfortable, welcoming experience paired with thoughtful, high-quality dental care. We serve individuals and families who want healthy, confident smiles — offering everything from routine checkups to cosmetic treatments like gum contouring. If you have questions or want to schedule a visit, please reach out.