Gum Contouring in
Richmond, TX
Does your smile show more gum than tooth? The fix is pretty simple. Dr. Jasmine Naderi uses a dental laser to reshape your gum line. One visit. You see the result the same day you come in.
📅 Schedule Your ConsultationWhat Is Gum Contouring?
A lot of people do not realize their gums are the problem. They spend years thinking their teeth look too short, or that something is just a little off about their smile. It turns out nothing is wrong with the teeth — there is just too much gum tissue covering them. Gum contouring takes off that extra tissue. The change is usually pretty big.
The technical name is gingival sculpting. In Richmond, patients often ask about it as a "gummy smile" fix or a "gum lift." It is a kind of cosmetic dental treatment that reshapes the gum line. At Best Dental, Dr. Jasmine Naderi uses a dental laser instead of a scalpel — less bleeding, less pain, and much faster healing than older ways.
A gummy smile affects 10 to 30% of adults based on peer-reviewed research. Fort Bend families in Richmond, Aliana, Pecan Grove, and Harvest Green often look for this treatment close to home. Worth knowing: this is not just cosmetic. Extra gum tissue creates pockets where bacteria build up, raising your risk of gum disease. So there is a health reason to fix it too.
Gum Contouring at Best Dental — See How It Works
Dr. Jasmine Naderi walks through laser gum contouring at Best Dental in Richmond, TX.
"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."StatPearls [NCBI], Excessive Gingival Display. Research shows gummy smiles affect 10 to 30% of the general population. Gingival display over 3 to 4mm is generally considered excessive. Read the full clinical review →
What Gum Contouring Actually Looks Like
The change is usually clear right away. Here is what a typical gummy smile fix looks like before and after laser contouring at Best Dental.
Results vary by patient. Dr. Naderi can show you digital previews of your specific result at your visit.
Who Needs Gum Contouring?
It comes up more often than you would think. Here are the most common reasons we see at Best Dental.
Common Reasons Patients Come In
Dr. Naderi checks your gums, looks at bone structure if needed, and tells you straight whether contouring alone will get you where you want to be — or whether mixing it with other aesthetic dentistry services makes more sense.
Why Laser Gum Contouring Works So Well
The laser changes how this feels and heals. Here is what that means for you.
What Actually Happens During the Procedure
Five steps. Most of them fast. Here is what to expect from start to finish.
Consultation and Smile Planning
Dr. Naderi looks at your gums, asks what has been bothering you about your smile, then uses digital imaging to show you what your gum line could look like after treatment. You see a preview before you agree to anything.
Numbing. Then You Are Set.
Local numbing goes on first and takes a few minutes to kick in. Then your gums are fully numb. You will feel some pressure during the work — but nothing sharp. Sedation options are available if dental anxiety is a factor.
Laser Reshaping
Dr. Naderi uses the laser to take off extra tissue and reshape the gum line based on the plan. The laser cuts and seals at the same time, keeping bleeding low. This part takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how many teeth are involved.
Final Check and Adjustments
Once reshaping is done, Dr. Naderi checks symmetry and proportions. Any last tweaks get made here. You see the result right away — 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. Most people go back to work the same day or the next morning.
Laser vs Traditional Surgery
There is really no comparison when you lay it out side by side.
Gum Contouring Pairs Well With Other Treatments
About half the patients who come in for gum contouring combine it with something else. The gum line sets the frame — then other cosmetic work fills in the picture.
Porcelain Veneers
Once the gum line is reshaped, veneers can be designed to the right size. Most patients do contouring first, then veneers 2 to 3 weeks later once healing is done.
Explore porcelain smile veneers →Professional Teeth Whitening
When the gum line is balanced, whiter teeth have more surface to show. Most patients add in-office whitening during or right after contouring.
See whitening treatment →Complete Smile Makeover
For a full change, Dr. Naderi puts contouring, whitening, veneers, and any orthodontic work into one plan. Gum reshaping is usually phase one.
Explore smile makeover →Full Mouth Reconstruction
When gum overgrowth has changed the size of many teeth, contouring gets built into the rebuild plan along with crowns and bridges.
See full-mouth rehabilitation →Cosmetic Bonding
For patients who want a budget-friendly option instead of veneers, bonding with gum reshaping can still make a big smile change at a much lower price.
Learn about cosmetic bonding →Invisalign or Orthodontics
Some patients need alignment fixed before gum contouring so the final proportions look right. Dr. Naderi will plan both together if that fits your case.
Explore Invisalign →Recovery & Aftercare
Mild tenderness for 24 to 48 hours. Soft foods for a couple days. Back to normal life quickly. That is the typical experience.
First 24 Hours
Soft and cool — yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes. Skip 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 give you to keep the spot clean while it heals.
Pain Management
Ibuprofen as needed — usually just for the first day or two. Laser contouring is not that painful after. Most patients are surprised by how easy it is.
Activity
You can go back to work the same day in most cases. Skip hard workouts for 24 to 48 hours to keep swelling down. Then go back to normal.
Follow-Up Visit
We set up a follow-up to check how you are healing and make sure the result is coming in the way we planned. Full healing takes about 1 to 2 weeks.
Long-Term Maintenance
Regular routine dental cleanings every six months and good daily care. That is what keeps the result looking great. That is it.
Cost, Insurance & Financing
Flat-rate pricing. Written estimates before treatment. 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 to 8 teeth runs $1,500 to $2,000 total. You will 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 is part of a larger complete smile redesign can also affect how we plan and price the full work.
Insurance
Cosmetic work is usually not covered. But if your contouring has a health component — like treating gum disease or prepping for needed restorative work — your PPO dental insurance plan may pay part of it. We check before treatment starts.
Financing Options
CareCredit and Cherry financing with low monthly payments. In-house payment plans for some cases. And our Dental Discount Plan for uninsured patients. Our team walks through all of this at your visit.
Affordable Gum Contouring Near You in Richmond, TX
The thing people do not always realize about specialist dental work is how much of the price is just the referral. A periodontist charges more than a general dentist. By the time you pay for the specialist visit and the work itself, the total is a lot higher than it needs to be.
At Best Dental, Dr. Jasmine Naderi does all laser gum contouring in-house. Same laser tech as a specialty gum office. No referral. No split billing. No specialist markup. $250 per tooth. Written estimate before you commit. No surprise charges when you are done.
For patients without insurance, CareCredit spreads the cost over monthly payments — often at 0% interest for qualified applicants. Our in-house Dental Discount Plan is another option for uninsured patients.
$250 Per Tooth
Flat rate. Written estimate before treatment so you know the exact total going in.
Full Front Section
6 to 8 teeth in one visit. Full gummy smile fix with clear upfront pricing.
No Specialist Referral
All contouring done in-house by Dr. Naderi. Specialist-level laser tech, general practice pricing.
CareCredit Financing
0% interest promotional financing available. Dental Discount Plan for uninsured patients.
Zip Codes We Serve
Best Dental is 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.
Patients from outside these zip codes are welcome too. Call us at (281) 215-3065 or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gum contouring painful?▾
Not during the work. Local numbing makes the gums completely numb before anything starts. You will feel pressure but no pain. After the numbing wears off, most patients feel mild soreness for a day or two — ibuprofen handles it. The laser causes much less pain after than old-style scalpel surgery.
How long does gum contouring take?▾
The work takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how many teeth are being treated. For most patients it is one visit. You will see the result the same day. Healing takes 1 to 2 weeks, but the change in your gum line shows up right after the work is done.
Are gum contouring results permanent?▾
Yes. Gum tissue that has been taken off does not grow back. The result stays as long as you keep up good oral health — regular professional dental cleaning, brushing and flossing every day, and keeping gum disease under control.
Can gum contouring be combined with other cosmetic treatments?▾
Yes, and it is pretty common. Gum contouring with in-office whitening or custom-fitted veneers gives you a more complete change. Dr. Naderi can put a combined plan together. A full multi-procedure smile makeover often starts with contouring as phase one.
What is the difference between gum contouring and crown lengthening?▾
Gum contouring is cosmetic — it takes off extra soft tissue to improve how things look. Crown lengthening goes further, taking off both gum tissue and sometimes bone to expose more tooth. Crown lengthening is usually done before placing a crown when there is not enough tooth showing, or as part of treating some gum disease cases.
Can gum contouring fix receding gums?▾
No. These are opposite problems. Contouring takes off extra tissue. Receding gums have too little tissue. If your gum line has pulled away from your teeth, that is usually fixed with a gum grafting procedure instead.
How do I know if I am a good candidate?▾
The main thing is good overall oral health — healthy gums, no active gum disease, enough bone. Dr. Naderi checks all of this at your visit, including X-rays if needed to check bone levels. She will tell you straight whether contouring makes sense or whether something else would give you a better result.
Where can I find affordable gum contouring near me in Richmond, TX?▾
Best Dental is at 22377 Bellaire Blvd, Suite 400 in Richmond, TX — right off Grand Parkway. Laser gum contouring is $250 per tooth, done in-house by Dr. Jasmine Naderi using the same laser tech as specialty gum offices, without the specialist referral or price. CareCredit financing and an in-house Dental Discount Plan are available. Book a visit online or call (281) 215-3065.
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 visit with Dr. Jasmine Naderi. You will see a digital preview of your result before you commit — and leave with a clear cost breakdown and a plan you are actually okay with.
