Gum Contouring in Beverly Hills and Northridge

A beautiful smile is about more than just your teeth. The shape and position of your gumline plays a significant role in how balanced and proportionate your smile appears. If you feel that your gums are too prominent, uneven, or that your teeth look too short, gum contouring may be exactly the solution you are looking for. At Beverly Wilshire Dental Group in Beverly Hills and Northridge, CA, Dr. Mehryar Ebrahimi performs precise laser gum contouring to create a more symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing gumline — often in a single appointment.

What Is Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring — also called a gum lift or gingival contouring — is a cosmetic dental procedure that reshapes the gumline by removing or repositioning excess gum tissue. The result is a gumline that frames the teeth more attractively, exposing more of the tooth surface and creating a longer, more proportionate appearance.

Dr. Ebrahimi performs gum contouring using a soft-tissue dental laser, which offers significant advantages over traditional scalpel-based techniques:

• Greater precision — the laser sculpts tissue with exceptional accuracy
• Reduced bleeding during the procedure
• Faster healing compared to traditional surgical methods
• Lower risk of infection
• Little to no sutures required in most cases
• More comfortable recovery for most patients

Who Is a Candidate for Gum Contouring?

Gum contouring is appropriate for patients who are bothered by the appearance of their gumline and whose concerns are cosmetic in nature. Common reasons patients seek gum contouring include:

Gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure and is not appropriate for treating gum disease or periodontal concerns. If you have active gum disease, Dr. Ebrahimi will recommend periodontal therapy before any cosmetic gum work is performed.

Laser Gum Contouring at Beverly Wilshire Dental Group

Dr. Ebrahimi has advanced training in soft-tissue laser dentistry, which sets Beverly Wilshire Dental Group apart for this procedure. The laser delivers a concentrated beam of light energy that precisely removes or reshapes gum tissue while simultaneously sealing the tissue as it works.

For patients, this means:

• The procedure is typically completed in a single appointment
• Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable throughout
• Minimal bleeding makes the procedure cleaner and easier
• The treated tissue seals as the laser works, reducing post-procedure sensitivity
• Most patients return to normal activities within one to two days

What to Expect During Gum Contouring

Consultation

Dr. Ebrahimi will examine your gumline, discuss your cosmetic goals, and use digital photographs to map out the proposed new gumline. This planning stage ensures the result is symmetrical, proportionate, and aligned with your expectations before any treatment begins.

The Procedure

Local anesthesia is administered to ensure you are completely comfortable. Dr. Ebrahimi then uses the soft-tissue laser to carefully sculpt the gumline, removing excess tissue and reshaping it to the planned contour. The procedure typically takes between 30 minutes and one hour depending on how many teeth are being treated.

Recovery

Most patients experience mild tenderness and some swelling in the treated area for a few days following the procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient for any discomfort. Dr. Ebrahimi will provide specific aftercare instructions, which typically include eating soft foods for several days and rinsing gently with warm salt water to support healing.

Final Results

The final shape of your gumline will be visible once healing is complete, typically within one to two weeks. The results of laser gum contouring are permanent — the removed tissue does not grow back. If veneers or other restorations are planned as part of a smile makeover, they are typically placed after the gums have fully healed.

Gum Contouring as Part of a Smile Makeover

Gum contouring is frequently performed as one component of a comprehensive smile makeover. Because the gumline frames the teeth, correcting its shape before placing veneers, crowns, or other restorations ensures the final result looks cohesive and natural.

Common smile makeover combinations that include gum contouring:

• Gum contouring followed by porcelain veneers for a complete gumline and tooth transformation
• Gum contouring combined with teeth whitening for a brighter, more balanced smile
• Gum contouring as preparation before crown placement to ensure symmetrical margins
• Gum contouring after Invisalign to refine the final appearance once alignment is complete

Dr. Ebrahimi will design a sequenced treatment plan that addresses each aspect of your smile in the correct order for the best possible outcome.

Gum Contouring Cost in Beverly Hills and Northridge

The cost of gum contouring depends on the number of teeth being treated and the extent of reshaping required. Because gum contouring is a cosmetic procedure, it is generally not covered by dental insurance. Beverly Wilshire Dental Group offers flexible financing options to help make treatment accessible.

Contact our Beverly Hills or Northridge office to schedule a consultation and receive a transparent, itemized cost estimate before any treatment begins.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Contouring