Laser Gum Recontouring in Kitchener
The shape and position of the gums play an important role in the proportions of a smile. When excess gum tissue covers part of the teeth or the gumline is uneven from one tooth to another, the teeth can appear shorter or less symmetrical than they actually are.
At MI Dental in Kitchener, we use a CO₂ dental laser for selected gum recontouring procedures. The laser allows us to carefully remove and reshape small amounts of gingival tissue while providing excellent control of the treatment area and bleeding.
The goal is not simply to remove gum tissue. It is to create a gumline that complements the natural shape, position and proportions of the teeth.
What Is Laser Gum Recontouring?
Laser gum recontouring, sometimes called laser gum contouring or gum reshaping, is a procedure used to change the outline of the gum tissue surrounding one or more teeth.
Small amounts of excess gingiva can be removed to expose more of the natural tooth surface or to create better symmetry between neighbouring teeth.
Depending on the situation, gum recontouring may be used to:
- Correct an uneven gumline
- Reduce small areas of excess gum tissue
- Improve the proportions of teeth that appear unusually short
- Create greater symmetry between corresponding teeth
- Refine the gumline as part of a broader cosmetic or restorative treatment plan
The appropriate amount of tissue removal is determined by the anatomy of the teeth, gums and supporting bone—not simply by how much tooth a patient would like to see.
When Can Gum Recontouring Improve a Smile?
A natural gumline is not perfectly identical around every tooth, but noticeable differences in height or contour can sometimes affect the balance of a smile.
For example, laser gum recontouring may be considered when:
One Tooth Has a Different Gumline
If the gum around one tooth sits noticeably lower than the corresponding tooth on the opposite side, carefully reshaping the tissue may improve symmetry.
Excess Gum Covers Part of the Teeth
Some teeth may appear short or square because more of their natural crown is covered by gum tissue. In selected cases, removing a small amount of excess gingiva can reveal more of the tooth.
The Gumline Is Irregular
Small variations in gingival contour can make otherwise healthy teeth look uneven. Recontouring selected areas can create a smoother transition from one tooth to the next.
Gum Contouring Is Part of a Smile Treatment Plan
The relationship between the gums and teeth may also be considered when planning treatments such as bonding, veneers or crowns. Establishing appropriate gingival proportions first can sometimes improve the overall restorative result.
Not Every Gummy Smile Should Be Treated by Removing Gum Tissue
This is an important distinction.
Teeth can appear short or a smile can show considerable gum tissue for several different reasons. The cause may involve:
- Excess gingival tissue
- The position of the supporting bone
- The way the teeth erupted
- Naturally short tooth proportions
- Upper-lip movement when smiling
- The position of the teeth or jaws
Laser gum recontouring is most useful when the desired change can safely be accomplished within the soft tissue.
If the underlying bone is too close to the proposed new gumline, simply removing additional gingiva may not produce a stable or healthy result. A different periodontal or restorative approach may be necessary.
This is why the first step is an examination rather than deciding in advance how much gum tissue should be removed.
Why We Use a CO₂ Laser
At MI Dental, selected soft-tissue procedures are performed using a CO₂ dental laser.
CO₂ laser energy is strongly absorbed by water within soft tissue, allowing the dentist to precisely remove or reshape gingiva while limiting penetration into deeper tissues.
One of its useful characteristics in gum recontouring is hemostasis. Small blood vessels are coagulated as the tissue is treated, which can provide a relatively clear and controlled surgical field.
For patients interested in how the technology itself works and its other applications in dentistry, visit our CO₂ Laser Dentistry page.
What Happens During Laser Gum Recontouring?
Treatment begins with an examination of the teeth and gums and a discussion about what you would like to change.
Before reshaping the tissue, we evaluate the existing gumline, tooth proportions and the amount of gingiva that can be appropriately altered.
Local anesthetic is typically used to keep the area comfortable.
The CO₂ laser is then used to carefully contour selected areas of gum tissue. Because the treatment is performed incrementally, the developing shape of the gumline can be assessed throughout the procedure rather than simply removing a predetermined amount of tissue.
The length of the appointment depends on how many teeth are being treated and the extent of the recontouring required.
Benefits of Laser Gum Recontouring
When appropriately planned, laser gum recontouring can offer several advantages:
- Precise tissue reshaping around individual teeth
- Good control of bleeding during treatment
- Treatment focused on selected areas of excess tissue
- Improved gumline symmetry
- Better visual proportions between the teeth and gums
- Often little or no need for sutures
- The ability to integrate gum contouring into a broader cosmetic treatment plan
The objective is a gumline that looks natural with the patient’s existing teeth rather than an artificially uniform contour.
Recovery After Laser Gum Recontouring
Most patients can return to routine activities relatively quickly, although the treated gum tissue still requires time to heal.
Some tenderness, sensitivity or temporary changes in the appearance of the gum tissue can occur following treatment. The amount and duration vary according to the extent of the procedure and the individual patient’s healing response.
We provide specific instructions for cleaning and caring for the treated area while it heals.
Although patients may feel comfortable soon after treatment, comfort and complete tissue healing are not the same thing. The gums continue to heal and mature after the initial procedure, and the final contour is assessed after this process has progressed.
Healthy Gums Come First
Cosmetic reshaping should be performed on healthy, appropriately diagnosed gum tissue.
Redness, swelling or enlargement caused by active gum disease should not simply be treated by removing tissue for cosmetic reasons. The underlying inflammation and its cause need to be evaluated first.
Once gingival health is established, we can determine whether residual excess or uneven tissue would benefit from recontouring.
Considering Laser Gum Recontouring?
If excessive or uneven gum tissue is affecting the proportions of your smile, we can evaluate whether laser gum recontouring is appropriate for you.
At MI Dental in Kitchener, treatment planning begins by determining why the gumline looks the way it does and whether changing the soft tissue alone can produce a healthy, stable and natural-looking result.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and the treatment options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does laser gum recontouring hurt?
Local anesthetic is generally used during the procedure, so the treatment area should remain comfortable. Some tenderness or sensitivity can occur afterward, although the amount varies with the extent of treatment.
How long does laser gum recontouring take to heal?
Patients may feel comfortable relatively quickly, but the gum tissue continues to heal and mature beyond the first day or two. Healing time varies according to the amount of tissue treated, the location and the individual’s healing response.
Can laser gum recontouring fix a gummy smile?
Sometimes. A gummy smile can have several causes, including excess gum tissue, tooth and bone relationships, tooth position and upper-lip movement. Laser recontouring is appropriate when excess soft tissue is an important part of the problem and can be safely reshaped.
Are the results permanent?
Gum tissue that has been appropriately removed does not simply return immediately to its original position. However, long-term stability depends on proper treatment planning, periodontal health and the underlying anatomy of the teeth and supporting tissues.
Can gum recontouring make my teeth look longer?
Yes, in selected cases. If part of the natural tooth crown is covered by excess gum tissue, recontouring may expose more of the tooth and improve its visible proportions. An examination is required to determine whether enough tissue can safely be removed.
Is CO₂ laser gum recontouring safe?
CO₂ lasers are established tools for oral soft-tissue surgery. As with any surgical dental procedure, appropriate diagnosis, treatment planning, laser safety precautions and careful control of the treated tissue are important.
