Gum contouring: what it is, laser or scalpel, and healing

Gum contouring is a procedure that removes or reshapes excess gum tissue so more of each tooth shows. It's most often done for a gummy smile, where extra gum makes the teeth look short or boxy. Dentists call the procedures gingivectomy (removing gum) and gingivoplasty (reshaping the gum line). It's done under local anaesthetic, usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, and gums usually heal in about a week, according to Cleveland Clinic.

If bone also needs reshaping, the procedure is called crown lengthening, which takes longer to heal. This guide explains the difference, laser and scalpel methods, healing and aftercare, and how gum contouring fits around veneers and a trip to Vietnam.

Gum contouring or crown lengthening?

	Gum contouring (gingivectomy or gingivoplasty)	Crown lengthening
What's removed	Gum tissue only	Gum, and often some bone
Why	Gummy smile, uneven gum line, overgrown gums	More tooth needed above the gum, or a gummy smile caused by bone level
Typical initial healing	About a week (Cleveland Clinic)	2 to 6 weeks with an open flap; 1 to 2 weeks with flapless methods (2026 review)
Gum line settles	Ask your dentist; laser-assisted margins often stabilise within a month (2026 review)	Within 6 months (2026 review)

The 2026 review by Yaneva and colleagues explains why bone sometimes has to be reshaped. The gum attaches to the tooth above the bone with a band of tissue, which dentists call the supracrestal tissue attachment. Bone is reshaped to give that tissue room and to leave enough tooth for the edge of a crown or veneer. Dentists usually aim for about 3 mm between the edge of a restoration and the bone.

Your dentist will decide which procedure you need after an examination and X-rays.

Laser or scalpel

	Laser	Scalpel
How it works	Removes tissue and seals it at the same time (Cleveland Clinic)	Cuts tissue with a blade, sometimes with a small amount of bone (Cleveland Clinic)
Stitches	May not be needed	Often used
Healing	Laser-assisted gum margins often stabilise within a month (2026 review)	Open-flap surgery takes longer to heal

A 2023 review found that low-level laser therapy after gingivectomy gave better healing scores and less pain on days 3 and 7, but it was based on only two studies for each outcome. The authors call it promising rather than proven.

Ask your dentist why they recommend one method for your gums. Either can give a good result when it suits the case.

What happens on the day

1. The dentist numbs your gums with local anaesthetic. Some clinics also offer a sedative to help you relax.
2. The dentist marks out the new gum line.
3. Excess gum is removed with a laser or scalpel, and bone is reshaped if needed.
4. Stitches are placed if needed.
5. You go home the same day. Most procedures take 30 to 60 minutes, longer for several teeth.

Healing and aftercare

Cleveland Clinic's recovery advice:

Time	What to expect
First 48 hours	Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting
Days 1 to 4	Soreness, bruising, swelling and sensitivity, usually fading within three to four days
About 1 week	Gums usually healed on the surface
4 to 6 weeks	Complete healing of the wound (2023 review)
Up to 6 months	The gum line finishes settling, especially after crown lengthening (2026 review)

Looking after your gums:

• Brush the treated area gently and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.
• Brush and floss the rest of your teeth as normal.
• Take any medicine exactly as prescribed. Over-the-counter painkillers usually manage the pain.
• Use a cold compress on the outside of your jaw for swelling.
• Don't touch the area with your fingers or tongue.

What to eat

Start with liquids or soft food, then add softer solids after a few days, and avoid hard and crunchy food for at least a week. Soft Vietnamese dishes such as cháo (rice porridge), cooled phở and steamed egg work well. See what to eat after dental work for more ideas and phrases for ordering.

When to call the clinic

Cleveland Clinic advises contacting your dentist straight away for:

• a fever above 38.3°C (101°F)
• bleeding that won't stop
• pus or discharge from the area
• pain that doesn't improve with painkillers

Gum contouring with veneers or crowns

Gum contouring is often part of a smile makeover with porcelain veneers or crowns. The gum line frames the teeth, so it's usually corrected first.

The catch is timing. The 2026 review advises waiting until the gum margin has stabilised before making final restorations: at least 3 months for back teeth and up to 6 months for front teeth after crown lengthening. Making veneers too soon risks the gum line moving after they're fitted, leaving a visible edge.

The American Dental Association also says gum disease must be treated before veneers, because veneers over unhealthy teeth and gums can make problems worse.

Planning gum contouring around a trip to Vietnam

Plan	What it means for the trip
Gum contouring only	One trip. Allow rest and soft food for a few days and a check before you fly.
Gum contouring and veneers, simple gum reshaping	Ask the dentist whether both can be done on one trip, and how long they want to wait between them
Crown lengthening and veneers	Often two trips: gum surgery first, then veneers once the gum line has settled. Temporary veneers may bridge the gap.

Questions to ask the clinic:

• Do I need gum contouring or crown lengthening?
• Will you use a laser or a scalpel, and why?
• Will I need stitches, and when do they come out?
• How long should I wait before veneers or crowns?
• Can the gum line be checked by a dentist at home?

Porcelain veneers usually take one trip of 7 to 10 days. Planning your visits shows day-by-day examples, and the trip planner builds a sample trip around your treatment and city.