Every smile has its own proportions. When the gum line sits too low or sits unevenly, teeth can look shorter than they really are, and many people end up closing their lips in photos because of it. That imbalance is often the difference between a smile that feels finished and one you hide.
At All Smiles Dentistry, we help Lake Stevens patients correct a gummy smile through gum contouring, also called gum reshaping or laser gum recontouring. This precise soft tissue procedure reshapes the gum line without the long healing time of traditional gum surgery. It is one of the services we provide through our cosmetic dentistry team, led by Dr. Jason Steinhubel and supported by a Board Certified Periodontist.
A gummy smile happens when gum tissue extends further down the teeth than it should, covering more enamel than is ideal for the proportions of your smile. It often makes teeth look small even when they are a normal, healthy size. These are the most common reasons it happens.
Laser gum recontouring uses a focused beam of light to remove or reshape excess gum tissue with a level of control that is hard to match with a scalpel. The laser helps seal small blood vessels as it works, so bleeding is typically minimal. A 2025 study on laser-assisted esthetic crown lengthening looked at patient-reported anxiety, pain, swelling, and bleeding with laser techniques, which is part of why many patients ask about this approach.
You may see several names for similar procedures. This quick guide can help you sort them out, and your periodontist will explain which applies to you.
| Procedure | Gum Contouring | Gingivectomy | Crown Lengthening |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Reshapes the gum line for a balanced smile | Removes excess gum tissue | Reshapes gum tissue, and sometimes bone, to expose more of the tooth |
| Common reason | Gummy smile or uneven gumline | Overgrown or swollen gum tissue | Cosmetic smile correction or to prepare a tooth for a restoration |
| Laser option | Often performed with a laser | Can be performed with a laser or a scalpel | Can be performed with a laser or traditional instruments |
Because every mouth is different, Dr. Ashour reviews your gum tissue and overall oral health before recommending an approach.
Not everyone with a gummy smile needs the same approach, so a short consultation is the best way to find out whether gum contouring fits your smile. In general, good candidates have healthy gum tissue with no active gum disease, because an infection usually needs to be treated first through care like our gum disease treatment. Patients who feel their teeth look shorter than they are, or who feel self-conscious about how much gum shows when they smile, are often reasonable candidates as well.
Dr. Ashour may suggest a different type of periodontal care first if your case calls for it, and our team will explain why before anything begins.
Laser gum recontouring at our office is provided by Dr. Izoh Ashour, our visiting Board Certified Periodontist and implantologist. Dr. Ashour trained in Europe and the United States and takes a detail-oriented approach to every case, using digital treatment planning alongside laser technology to map out exactly how much tissue needs to be adjusted before treatment begins.
That planning matters because gum tissue does not grow back once it is removed. Dr. Ashour’s background in esthetic crown lengthening and minimally invasive periodontal care means the gum line is shaped with the final smile in mind. Our general dentistry team coordinates with Dr. Ashour, so restorative work like a crown or composite bonding can be planned around the new gum line. You can read more about our laser technology on our laser dentistry page.
Most laser gum recontouring appointments are completed in a single visit. Before we start, we numb the treatment area so you stay comfortable. The laser then sculpts the gum line according to the plan mapped out ahead of time. Because the laser seals tissue as it works, there is usually little bleeding, and most patients do not need stitches.
Swelling is minimal for most patients, and many feel comfortable returning to normal activities the same day or the day after.
Finding a periodontist within Lake Stevens is not always simple, and many patients in our area have traveled to Mill Creek, Everett, or Seattle for gum care like this. Having Dr. Ashour on our team means you do not have to coordinate between a general dentist and an outside office to get a cohesive treatment plan. We also use technology that supports precise, comfortable care, including laser dentistry and 3D cone beam imaging for detailed planning, which you can see on our office page.
Because gum contouring is usually considered a cosmetic procedure, dental insurance may not cover it, although coverage varies by plan. All Smiles Dentistry is in network with Delta Dental, Regents, and Premera, and we accept out-of-network benefits from many other carriers, so our team can review your benefits with you. See our insurance page for details.
To make treatment more manageable, we offer Cherry financing as our primary option, along with CareCredit and in-house payment plans. Visit our payment plans page to learn more, and we will give you a clear estimate at your consultation.
A gummy smile does not have to be something you simply live with, and correcting it does not require a lengthy or uncomfortable process. With laser gum recontouring, our team can reshape your gum line with precision and give your smile the balance it has been missing.
Dr. Jason Steinhubel and our team have served Lake Stevens for more than two decades, and we built this practice on the belief that advanced care should be easy to reach close to home. If a gummy smile has been on your mind, contact our office or call 425-335-1111 to schedule a consultation and find out whether laser gum recontouring is the right fit for you.
Gum contouring, also called gum reshaping or laser gum recontouring, reshapes the gum line to reduce the amount of gum tissue covering your teeth. It is often used to correct a gummy smile so the teeth look more proportional. Crown lengthening is a related procedure that can also involve reshaping bone to expose more of the tooth, and our periodontist will explain which fits your case.
Most patients find gum contouring fairly comfortable because the treatment area is numbed before the laser is used. Some mild tenderness may be felt for a few days afterward, which is typically manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
Gum contouring is usually completed in a single office visit, and many patients are finished in about an hour, depending on how much tissue needs to be reshaped. Recovery is typically brief, and many patients feel comfortable returning to normal activities the same day or the next. A soft food diet for a day or two is generally recommended.
Gum tissue does not grow back once it has been removed, so the results are generally long lasting. That is why careful planning matters, and why we map out the amount of tissue to adjust before treatment begins.
Good candidates generally have healthy gum tissue and no active gum disease, since an infection typically needs to be treated first. A consultation with Dr. Ashour at All Smiles Dentistry in Lake Stevens is the most reliable way to find out whether gum contouring is appropriate for your smile.
Because gum contouring is usually considered cosmetic, dental insurance may not cover it, though coverage varies by plan. Our team can review your benefits and discuss Cherry financing, CareCredit, and in-house payment plans.
Our team always listens to your concerns and gets to know you before customizing your experience to your needs. We want to ensure your comfort while bringing you the best treatments modern family dentistry has to offer.
Feel relaxed at your Lake Stevens dentist as our team takes great care of you. If you’re feeling nervous, our nitrous oxide or conscious sedation options can put you at ease. We’re in good hands here. Feel relaxed at your Lake Stevens dentist
Each time you visit, expect the same level of high-quality care with modern technology and your own dedicated provider. Discover more effective and gentle dentistry with digital imaging, lasers, same-day crowns, and more.
Dr. Jason Steinhubel opened All Smiles Dentistry in Lake Stevens in 2004 to give the community he loves a better dental experience. A member of the American Dental Association, he brings a background in forensics, dental assisting, and dental lab work to a technology-forward, family-focused practice built on prevention, education, and comprehensive care under one roof.
View Dr. Steinhubel's full profile