Gum Contouring in
Richmond, TX
If your smile shows more gum than tooth, it's usually a pretty straightforward fix. Dr. Jasmine Naderi uses advanced laser technology to reshape your gum line in a single visit - results you can see the same day you come in.
Schedule Your ConsultationWhat Is Gum Contouring?
A lot of people don't realize their gums are the problem. They spend years thinking their teeth are too short, or that something is just a little off about their smile - and it turns out there's nothing wrong with the teeth at all. There's just too much gum tissue covering them. Gum contouring removes that excess tissue, and the difference is usually pretty striking.
The technical term is gingival sculpting - it's a cosmetic dental procedure that reshapes the gum line by removing excess tissue that makes teeth look short or creates an uneven, lopsided look when you smile. At Best Dental, Dr. Jasmine Naderi does this with an advanced dental laser rather than a scalpel, which means less bleeding, less discomfort, and a much faster recovery than older methods.
Worth knowing: this isn't just cosmetic. Extra gum tissue creates pockets where bacteria collect, which raises your risk of gum disease. So there's actually a health argument for addressing it too, not just an aesthetic one. Dr. Naderi will walk you through which applies to your situation during your consultation.
"Excessive gingival display is an aesthetic concern that interferes with patients' self-esteem and psychological status. Gummy smiles can be a cause of embarrassment, leading patients to hide or control their smiles."
Who Needs Gum Contouring?
It comes up more often than you'd think. A few of the most common situations we see at Best Dental:
Common Reasons Patients Come In
The consultation is the right first step. Dr. Naderi evaluates your gums, looks at bone structure where needed, and tells you honestly whether contouring alone will get you where you want to be - or whether combining it with other cosmetic treatments makes more sense for your situation.
Why Laser Gum Contouring Works So Well
The laser changes everything about how this procedure feels and heals. Here's what that actually means for you.
You See Results the Same Day
Most dental procedures make you wait through a healing period before you see the result. Not this one. The change is visible as soon as the procedure is done - patients see their new gum line before they leave the office.
One Appointment, Usually
Start to finish, the procedure runs 30-60 minutes depending on how many teeth are being treated. Most patients are done in a single visit and back to their normal schedule the same day.
Precise Reshaping
Lasers allow Dr. Naderi to remove exactly the right amount of tissue with a level of control that scalpel surgery just can't match. That precision is what makes the result look natural and symmetrical rather than obvious.
Minimal Bleeding
The laser cauterizes tissue as it removes it, so there's very little bleeding during the procedure. Much less swelling afterward too. Patients are routinely surprised by how comfortable it is compared to what they expected.
Recovery Is Quick
Healing typically takes 1-2 weeks. Most patients need minimal pain relief - ibuprofen for a day or two is usually all it takes. Compare that to traditional gum surgery, which can mean a week of real discomfort.
The Results Don't Come Back
Removed gum tissue doesn't grow back. Keep up with regular cleanings and good daily hygiene, and the result is permanent. You do this once.
What Actually Happens During the Procedure
Five steps, most of them fast. Here's what to expect from start to finish.
Consultation and Smile Planning
Dr. Naderi looks at your gums, asks what's been bothering you about your smile, and uses digital imaging to show you what your gum line could look like after treatment. You'll see a preview of the result before agreeing to anything. This is also where she maps exactly how much tissue needs to come off to hit the proportions you're going for.
Numbing - Then You're Set
Local anesthetic goes on first. It takes a few minutes to kick in and then your gums are completely numb - you'll feel pressure during the procedure but nothing sharp. Most patients say it's a lot more comfortable than they were expecting going in.
Laser Reshaping
Dr. Naderi uses the laser to remove excess tissue and reshape the gum line according to the plan. The laser cuts and cauterizes at the same time, which keeps bleeding minimal. Depending on how many teeth are involved, this stage usually runs 30-60 minutes.
Final Check and Adjustments
Once reshaping is done, Dr. Naderi steps back and evaluates symmetry and proportions before finishing. Any last adjustments get made here. You'll see the result immediately - the whole gum line, right there in the chair.
Aftercare Instructions
Before you leave, we walk you through exactly what to do for the next few days - what to eat, what to avoid, how to keep the area clean. It's straightforward. Most people go back to work the same day or the next morning with no issues.
Laser vs Traditional Surgery
There's really no comparison when you lay it out side by side.
Recovery & Aftercare
Mild tenderness for 24-48 hours, soft foods for a couple days, back to normal life quickly. That's the typical experience.
First 24 Hours
Soft and cool - yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes. Avoid anything hot, spicy, or crunchy while the area is still tender. After that, most people are back to eating normally.
Oral Hygiene
Keep brushing, but go gentle around the treated area for the first few days. Rinse with whatever mouthwash we prescribe - it keeps the site clean while it heals.
Pain Management
Ibuprofen as needed, usually just for the first day or two. Laser contouring is genuinely not that painful post-procedure - most patients are surprised by how manageable it is.
Activity
You can go back to work the same day in most cases. Skip intense exercise for the first 24-48 hours to keep swelling down, then resume as normal.
Follow-Up Visit
We schedule a follow-up to check how you're healing and confirm the result is coming in the way we planned. Full healing takes about 1-2 weeks.
Long-Term Maintenance
Regular cleanings every six months and good daily hygiene are what keep the result looking great long-term. That's it.
Cost, Insurance & Financing
Flat-rate pricing, written estimates before treatment, and real options to make it work financially.
Pricing at Best Dental
Gum contouring is $250 per tooth - flat rate, no tiers, no material upcharges. Treating the full front section of 6-8 teeth runs $1,500-$2,000 total. You'll get an exact written quote before anything starts.
What Affects the Total
Mainly the number of teeth being treated. More teeth means more time and more tissue removed. Whether it's part of a larger smile makeover can also affect how we sequence and price the overall plan.
Insurance
Cosmetic procedures generally aren't covered. But if your contouring has a functional component - treating gum disease, or preparing for necessary restorative work - your PPO plan may contribute. We check before treatment starts.
Financing Options
CareCredit with low monthly payments, in-house payment plans for select cases, and our Dental Discount Plan for uninsured patients. Our team walks through all of this at your consultation.
Affordable Gum Contouring Near You in Richmond, TX
The thing people don't always realize about specialist dental work is how much of the price is just the referral. A periodontist charges differently than a general dentist, and by the time you've paid for the specialist consultation and the procedure itself, the number is a lot higher than it needs to be for a procedure like gum contouring.
At Best Dental, Dr. Jasmine Naderi performs all laser gum contouring in-house. Same laser technology as a specialty periodontal office. No referral, no split billing, no specialist markup. $250 per tooth, written estimate before you commit, no surprise charges when you're done. That's the whole thing.
For patients without insurance coverage, CareCredit spreads the cost over monthly payments - often 0% interest for qualified applicants. Our in-house Dental Discount Plan is another option for uninsured patients that reduces overall costs across all treatments, not just contouring.
$250 Per Tooth
Flat rate. No tiers or upcharges. Written estimate before treatment so you know the exact total going in.
Full Front Section
6-8 teeth treated in one appointment. Full gummy smile correction with transparent upfront pricing.
No Specialist Referral
All contouring done in-house by Dr. Naderi. Specialist-level laser technology, general practice pricing.
CareCredit Financing
0% interest promotional financing available. Dental Discount Plan for uninsured patients. No surprises at checkout.
Zip Codes We Serve
Best Dental is located at 22377 Bellaire Blvd, Suite 400 in Richmond, TX - right off Grand Parkway (TX-99). We see patients from across Fort Bend County and southwest Houston. Here are the zip codes we regularly serve:
Located at 22377 Bellaire Blvd, Suite 400 - right off Grand Parkway (TX-99). Patients from outside these zip codes are welcome too. Call us at (281) 215-3065 or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways About Gum Contouring
Serving Richmond & Surrounding Areas
Best Dental serves patients from across Richmond and Fort Bend County. Click your neighborhood to learn more.
See What Your Smile Looks Like Without the Extra Gum
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jasmine Naderi. You'll see a digital preview of your result before committing to anything - and leave with a clear cost breakdown and a plan you're actually comfortable with.
