Gum Contouring London: Laser Gum Reshaping.

If excess gum tissue makes your teeth appear short or your smile appear "gummy," laser gum contouring can gently reshape the gum line to reveal more of your natural tooth structure.

Investment

Per ToothFrom £200

Member Price (Per Tooth)From £100

Membership£20/month

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Laser gum contouring at Smile Dentist, South Kensington

Understanding Gum Contouring

What Is Gum Contouring?

An attractive smile is not only about the teeth — it is equally about the frame they sit in. If your gums cover too much of your enamel, your teeth may appear short, square, or uneven, even if they are the correct length underneath.

Gum contouring (also called gum reshaping or gingivectomy) is a procedure that removes a small amount of excess gum tissue to expose more of the natural tooth crown. Using a precision laser, we sculpt the gum line into a more symmetrical, balanced shape.

Who May Benefit?

Excessive Gum Display

You show a significant amount of gum tissue when you smile, sometimes called a "gummy smile."

Uneven Gum Line

One or more teeth appear shorter because the gum margin sits at different levels, creating asymmetry.

Pre-Veneer Preparation

Gum contouring is often performed before veneers or bonding to create a symmetrical foundation.

Suitability for gum contouring depends on the relationship between the gum tissue and the underlying bone. An X-ray assessment during your consultation will determine whether laser gum contouring alone is appropriate, or whether a more involved approach is needed.

The Laser Approach

We use a precision dental laser rather than traditional scalpel techniques.

Cauterises Instantly

The laser seals blood vessels as it works, resulting in minimal bleeding during the procedure.

Reduced Infection Risk

The laser energy has a sterilising effect on the tissue, helping to reduce the risk of post-operative infection.

Precision Control

Tissue is removed millimetre by millimetre, allowing precise sculpting of the gum line.

Faster Recovery

Most patients experience quicker healing compared to scalpel techniques, with less post-operative swelling.

The Treatment Process

Laser gum contouring is typically completed in a single appointment.

Design & Planning

We mark the new gum line position on your gums. You can check the proposed symmetry in a mirror before we begin.

Local Anaesthetic

The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. You should not feel pain during the procedure.

Laser Sculpting

Excess gum tissue is gently removed with the laser. The process is precise and typically takes 20 to 60 minutes.

Review

We rinse the area and you can see the immediate result. A follow-up appointment is scheduled to check healing.

Aftercare & Recovery

Recovery from laser gum contouring is typically straightforward. Most patients can resume normal activities the same day.

First 24 Hours

Mild tenderness and sensitivity. Avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods. Soft diet recommended.

Days 2–5

Tenderness subsides. Gums may appear slightly swollen or red. Continue gentle oral hygiene.

1–2 Weeks

Gums typically healed. Final result visible once any residual swelling resolves.

Do

Rinse gently with warm salt water from 24 hours after treatment
Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed
Eat soft, cool foods for the first day
Brush teeth gently, avoiding the treated gum area initially
Attend the follow-up appointment

Avoid

✕ Spicy, acidic, or very hot foods for 24–48 hours
✕ Smoking — this can delay healing significantly
✕ Touching or prodding the treated area
✕ Vigorous brushing around the treated gums for the first few days
✕ Alcohol-based mouthwash which may cause irritation

Risks & Considerations

Gum contouring is generally a low-risk procedure, but all treatments carry some considerations.

Sensitivity

Newly exposed tooth surfaces may be temporarily sensitive to hot and cold. This typically resolves within a few weeks as the area acclimatises.

Irreversibility

Once gum tissue is removed, it does not regrow in most cases. This is why careful planning and design before the procedure is essential.

Uneven Healing

Occasionally the gums may heal slightly unevenly, requiring minor touch-up treatment. A follow-up appointment allows us to assess healing and make any adjustments.

Bone Considerations

If the bone level is close to the surface, gum contouring alone may not achieve the desired result. Crown lengthening (a surgical procedure) may be recommended instead.

All risks, alternatives, and expected outcomes are discussed during your consultation. A written treatment plan is provided before any treatment begins.

Transparent Pricing

Gum Contouring Costs

The total cost depends on the number of teeth being treated. A full written estimate is provided after your consultation.

Membership Savings

Join our membership for £20/month and receive 50% off all treatment fees. Learn more.

Book Consultation View Full Fee Guide

Treatment	Standard	Member
Gum Contouring (Per Tooth)	From £200	From £100
Full Smile Gum Lift (6+ Teeth)	Quote	50% Off

Final costs depend on the number of teeth treated. A full written estimate is provided before treatment begins.

A Foundation for Veneers & Bonding

Gum contouring is frequently the first step in a smile makeover. If veneers or composite bonding are placed on an uneven gum line, the restorations may appear asymmetrical. By reshaping the gums first, we create a balanced foundation so that subsequent treatments look natural and proportionate.

Learn about Smile Makeovers

Patient Experiences

Gummy Smile Correction

Concern: Patient was self-conscious about showing too much gum tissue when smiling and felt her teeth looked short.

Treatment: Laser gum contouring on 6 upper front teeth to expose more of the natural tooth structure.

Outcome: The patient was pleased with the improved proportion between her teeth and gums and felt more confident smiling.

Individual results may vary. A clinical assessment is required to determine suitability.

Pre-Veneer Gum Alignment

Concern: Patient wanted porcelain veneers but had an uneven gum line that would affect the symmetry of the final result.

Treatment: Gum contouring on 4 teeth to create an even gum line, followed by veneer placement after healing.

Outcome: The combined approach achieved a balanced, natural-looking result that the patient was happy with.

Individual results may vary. A clinical assessment is required to determine suitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Real Results

Smile Gallery

See the remarkable improvements we've achieved for our patients

BEFORE

AFTER

Restoring a Chipped Front Tooth

Composite Bonding

BEFORE

AFTER

Transforming Discoloured & Chipped Teeth

Composite Bonding

Visit Smile Dentist

Conveniently located in the heart of South Kensington.

Address

20 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington
London, SW7 3DL

Phone

020 7183 2362

Opening Hours

Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm
Sat–Sun: 10am–4pm

Considering Gum Contouring?

Book a consultation to find out whether laser gum contouring is suitable for your smile. We will assess your gum line, discuss options, and provide a written treatment plan.

Book Consultation 020 7183 2362

20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3DL

Compliance & Safety

Registered & Regulated

Our team are fully registered and regulated for practice in the United Kingdom. Our patients should expect nothing less.

General Dental Council (GDC) - UK dental regulatory body

Expert Dental Care

Meet The Experts

Our hand-picked team of clinicians is dedicated to the art and science of your smile.

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Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi

Principal Dentist & Clinical Director

GDC: 195843

Meticulous preventative care meets high-quality cosmetic dentistry. Yasha offers complicated surgical extractions, complex treatments, and smile makeovers.

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Dr. Kamran Yazdi

Dentist

GDC: 197926

Conservative dentistry specialist with postgraduate degrees from UCL Eastman. Believes in preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.

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Dr. Andreia Phipps

Dentist

GDC: 229601

Friendly and enthusiastic dentist passionate about cosmetic and aesthetic restorative dentistry. Patient-centred care is at the heart of everything she does.

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