Is laser gum contouring painful?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure is. A topical anesthetic is applied before treatment, and the laser’s precision means far less trauma to surrounding tissue than traditional surgery. Any tenderness afterward is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers for 24 to 48 hours.

Will my gums grow back after contouring?

No. Once excess gum tissue is removed with the laser, the results are permanent. The newly sculpted gumline will not regrow, provided you maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.

Am I a candidate for gummy smile treatment?

Most adults who are bothered by excessive gum display are candidates for laser gum contouring or crown lengthening. The best way to know is a consultation with Dr. Ajmo, who will assess your specific anatomy, gum health, and aesthetic goals. In some cases, gummy smiles are driven by jaw structure, which may require a different approach.

Gummy Smile Treatment

Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist Who Can Make Your Smile Goals a Reality

If you feel like your gums steal the show every time you smile, you’re not alone, but you also don’t have to live with it. A gummy smile, where excess gum tissue makes teeth appear short or uneven, is one of the most common cosmetic concerns Dr. Jay Ajmo corrects at PGA Dentistry. With more than 35 years of experience in aesthetic dentistry and advanced training from some of the world’s most recognized smile designers, Dr. Ajmo offers minimally invasive laser gum contouring and precision gum reshaping right here in Palm Beach Gardens, often completed in a single visit.

If you’re ready to start working towards your smile goals, choose our cosmetic dentists in Palm Beach Gardens at PGA Dentistry. Call our team today at (561) 627-8666. Your consultation awaits!

What Is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile occurs when more than 3 to 4mm of gum tissue is visible when you smile. For most people, this is simply a matter of proportion where the gums overshadow the teeth, making them appear shorter, wider, or less prominent than they actually are.

Common causes include:

Genetics: excess gum tissue that developed during tooth eruption
Incomplete tooth eruption: teeth that didn’t fully emerge from the gumline
Overgrowth of the upper jaw (vertical maxillary excess)
A hyperactive upper lip that lifts higher than normal when smiling
Gum tissue that never receded naturally after adult teeth came in

Most gummy smiles respond exceptionally well to treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Ajmo identifies the specific cause driving yours and recommends the most direct, conservative path to the result you want.

Gummy Smile Treatments at PGA Dentistry

Laser Gum Contouring (Our Most Popular Approach)

Using the Biolase® ezlase™ diode laser, one of the most precise soft-tissue instruments in clinical dentistry, Dr. Ajmo gently sculpts and removes excess gum tissue to reveal the full natural length of your teeth. The laser simultaneously cauterizes blood vessels, which means minimal bleeding, minimal discomfort, and a dramatically faster recovery than traditional gum surgery.

What sets laser gum contouring apart:
- Completed in a single visit in most cases
- Topical anesthetic is typically sufficient with no needles required
- Virtually no bleeding during treatment
- Most patients return to normal activities the same day
- Results are permanent; reshaped gumlines do not grow back
Crown Lengthening For More Complex Cases

When excess gum tissue extends into the underlying bone structure, laser contouring alone may not achieve the desired result. Crown lengthening precisely reshapes both gum tissue and supporting bone to expose more of the tooth’s natural crown. This approach is ideal when teeth appear uniformly short across the entire smile arch, or when gum contouring needs to be combined with restorative work like porcelain veneers.

After 35 years of performing these procedures, Dr. Ajmo combines both techniques when necessary to achieve outcomes that are not only cosmetically stunning, but functionally sound and long-lasting.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Ajmo for Gummy Smile Treatment

Correcting a gummy smile requires both artistic precision and clinical expertise — the ability to see the ideal smile proportions and the technical skill to achieve them. Dr. Ajmo has spent more than three decades developing both.

Credentials that matter for cosmetic gum work:

Masters Level certification from the Rosenthal Institute for Aesthetic Dentistry: Dr. Ajmo trained directly under Dr. Larry Rosenthal, one of the most celebrated smile designers in the world
Named “South Florida’s Most Distinguished Cosmetic Dentist” by The Best of South Florida
Member, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
35+ years of advanced cosmetic and restorative experience in Palm Beach Gardens
Uses the Biolase® ezlase™ diode laser, a clinical-grade system that delivers consistent, precise results with significantly less discomfort than conventional surgical techniques

Dr. Ajmo’s philosophy is simple: “I’m given the opportunity to change someone’s life by giving them a beautiful, healthy smile.” Gum contouring may be one of the most straightforward procedures in cosmetic dentistry, but the impact it has on patients’ confidence is anything but small.

What to Expect for Your Gummy Smile Consultation & Results

Dr. Jay Ajmo with a patient at PGA Dentistry

Every gummy smile treatment at PGA Dentistry begins with a thorough consultation. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

Consultation & Smile Assessment: Our dentists start by evaluating your gum-to-tooth ratio, lip position, and facial symmetry. They’ll explain exactly what’s causing your gummy smile and walk you through the recommended treatment, expected results, and what the procedure involves.
Custom Treatment Planning: If laser gum contouring is the right fit, your appointment can often be scheduled within days. For cases combining contouring with veneers or crowns, Dr. Ajmo maps the full smile design before any treatment begins.
Laser Gum Reshaping: On treatment day, a topical anesthetic is applied to ensure your comfort. Dr. Ajmo uses the Biolase® ezlase™ laser to precisely sculpt the gumline, removing only the tissue needed to achieve ideal proportions. Most sessions take less than an hour.
Immediate Results, Minimal Downtime: The difference is visible immediately. Mild tenderness for 24 to 48 hours is typical. Most patients manage comfortably with over-the-counter pain relief and return to normal activity the same day.
Follow-Up & Final Review: We’ll schedule a follow-up to confirm healing is progressing well and that the final result meets your expectations. If veneers or additional cosmetic work are part of your plan, those are completed once the tissue has fully healed.

Combining Gum Contouring with a Full Smile Makeover

Laser gum contouring works beautifully on its own, but for patients who want to address multiple cosmetic concerns at once, it’s often the foundation of a broader smile transformation. At PGA Dentistry, Dr. Ajmo frequently combines gum reshaping with:

Porcelain veneers to perfect tooth shape, color, and length after the gumline is corrected
Teeth whitening to brighten the newly revealed tooth surface
Dental bonding to refine any minor chips or irregularities

Frequently Asked Questions About Gummy Smile Treatment

Is laser gum contouring painful?

Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the procedure is. A topical anesthetic is applied before treatment, and the laser’s precision means far less trauma to surrounding tissue than traditional surgery. Any tenderness afterward is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers for 24 to 48 hours.
Will my gums grow back after contouring?

No. Once excess gum tissue is removed with the laser, the results are permanent. The newly sculpted gumline will not regrow, provided you maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
Am I a candidate for gummy smile treatment?

Most adults who are bothered by excessive gum display are candidates for laser gum contouring or crown lengthening. The best way to know is a consultation with Dr. Ajmo, who will assess your specific anatomy, gum health, and aesthetic goals. In some cases, gummy smiles are driven by jaw structure, which may require a different approach.

Visit PGA Dentistry Today!

If you’ve been self-conscious about a gummy smile, our team in Palm Beach Gardens is ready to help you find out exactly what’s possible. Most patients leave their consultation with a clear treatment plan and a lot more confidence in what’s coming. Call PGA Dentistry at (561) 627-8666 or request a consultation online, and finally see the smile that’s been there all along.

PGA Dentistry serves patients from Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Singer Island, and surrounding communities throughout Palm Beach County.