Gum contouring in Dubai — aesthetic gum correction for an uneven gum line

Key facts

• Reshapes excess gum for a more even smile
• Cause must be excess gum, not recession
• Laser or scalpel technique, under local anaesthetic
• Initial healing about 1–2 weeks
• Often planned with whitening or veneers

What causes an uneven gum line

An uneven gum line can have several causes. Some people simply have more gum tissue covering parts of their teeth, a condition sometimes called altered passive eruption, where the gum did not move back fully as the adult teeth came in. Gum can also overgrow because of inflammation, braces or certain medicines. In other cases one tooth has receded while its neighbour has not, or a tooth is positioned higher or lower than the others. Worn or broken teeth can make the gum appear relatively high. Identifying the cause is essential because removing gum only helps when excess gum, rather than recession or tooth position, is the real problem.

How gum contouring is done

After a local anaesthetic, the dentist marks the planned new gum line, often guided by photographs and a digital smile plan so the result suits your lips and face. Excess gum is then removed and sculpted with a laser or a fine scalpel. A laser seals small blood vessels as it works, so there is typically little bleeding and often no stitches. Treating a few front teeth usually takes under an hour. If the bone sits too close to the new gum line, simply trimming gum can lead to it growing back, and a crown-lengthening procedure that also reshapes bone may be recommended instead. Your dentist confirms the technique at assessment.

Who is suitable for gum contouring

Good candidates have healthy gums with no active gum disease, excess gum tissue covering part of otherwise healthy teeth, and realistic expectations. Contouring is often combined with whitening, bonding or veneers when the overall smile is being improved, and it is sometimes performed before veneers so the new restorations have even, symmetrical margins. It is not the right treatment for receding gums, which need the opposite approach of covering roots, or for a gummy smile caused mainly by an overgrown upper jaw or a very active upper lip. A careful examination, X-rays and smile analysis determine whether contouring alone will give the desired result.

Healing and aftercare

Most people feel mild tenderness for a few days, managed with ordinary pain relief. The gum may look white or slightly raw as it heals; this is normal. For the first day or two, choose soft, lukewarm foods and avoid spicy, acidic, very hot and crunchy foods, and avoid smoking. Brush gently around the area with a soft brush and use the rinse your dentist recommends. Initial healing takes around one to two weeks, and the gum line continues to mature and settle over several weeks, so final shade matching for any veneers or crowns is usually planned after this. Contact the clinic if bleeding or swelling increases.

Planning your result at Manhal

A natural result depends on proportions: the height of each front tooth relative to its width, the symmetry between left and right, and how much gum shows when you smile. At Manhal Medical Center, Dr. Fariba Alnoory examines your gum health, takes photographs and X-rays, and discusses what can realistically be achieved. If your plan also involves veneers or a larger smile makeover, she coordinates with Dr. Manhal Helfawee’s aesthetic planning so gum and teeth are designed together. You receive a written plan explaining the steps, healing time and what to expect before agreeing to treatment. Results depend on the examination and your gum biology.

Gum disease starts as gingivitis — red, bleeding gums — and can progress to periodontitis, where bone support is lost and teeth loosen. Early treatment stops the progression.

Prepared by the Manhal Medical Center editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-18 · Treating specialist: Dr. Fariba Alnoory

This page is general information and does not replace a consultation. Suitability, risks and results vary between patients.