A Balanced Smile — Without Hiding Your Teeth
If your gum line has always made you self-conscious, there's a gentle, precise solution available right here in Kenilworth. Dr. Sonal Deshpande uses laser techniques to reshape and even out your gum line in a single visit — with minimal discomfort and results you'll notice immediately.
- Visible results in a single visit
- Minimal downtime, back to routine quickly
- Even, natural-looking gum contours
Laser Gum Reshaping
Precise laser contouring gently removes excess gum tissue to reveal more of your natural tooth structure.
Same-Visit Procedure
Most gingivoplasty treatments are completed in a single appointment with no sutures required.
Anxiety-Free Environment
Dr. Deshpande explains every step before she begins so you always know what to expect.
Quick Facts
Essential information about this procedure
“Your gum line frames your entire smile — and reshaping it takes less time than most people expect.”
Why Your Gum Line Matters More Than You Think
A lot of people focus on the color or alignment of their teeth when they think about their smile — but the gum line frames everything. When gums sit too high, too low, or unevenly across your teeth, it can make even straight, healthy teeth look off-balance.
Gingivoplasty is the clinical name for gum contouring — a procedure that reshapes the soft tissue along your gum line to expose more of your natural tooth structure and create symmetry across your smile. It's not about fixing something broken. It's about revealing the smile that was always there.
At Brilliant Smiles, Dr. Deshpande performs this with a precise dental laser rather than a scalpel. That means the margins are cleaner, healing is faster, and you're more comfortable during and after the procedure. There are no stitches in most cases, and the results are visible immediately.
If you've spent years smiling with your lips closed in photos, or you've been told your smile looks "gummy" — this is a straightforward, one-visit procedure that can genuinely change how you feel about showing your teeth.
What to Expect, Start to Finish
From your first conversation with Dr. Deshpande to the moment you see your result — here's exactly how it goes.
Day 1
Consultation & Planning
Dr. Deshpande evaluates your gum line, discusses your goals, and maps out the new contour before anything begins. You'll see the planned result digitally before any treatment takes place.
Same Visit
Laser Contouring Procedure
Using a precise dental laser, Dr. Deshpande gently removes and reshapes excess gum tissue. The area is numbed first — most patients describe feeling pressure but no pain.
Days 2–7
Easy Recovery at Home
Some mild tenderness and slight swelling is normal and resolves within a week. Soft foods and gentle rinsing are recommended — no stitches to worry about in most cases.
Week 2+
Your Full Result
Once any initial swelling subsides, you'll see the final, even contour of your gum line — and the fuller, more balanced smile it frames.
Day 1
Consultation & Planning
Dr. Deshpande evaluates your gum line, discusses your goals, and maps out the new contour before anything begins. You'll see the planned result digitally before any treatment takes place.
Same Visit
Laser Contouring Procedure
Using a precise dental laser, Dr. Deshpande gently removes and reshapes excess gum tissue. The area is numbed first — most patients describe feeling pressure but no pain.
Days 2–7
Easy Recovery at Home
Some mild tenderness and slight swelling is normal and resolves within a week. Soft foods and gentle rinsing are recommended — no stitches to worry about in most cases.
Week 2+
Your Full Result
Once any initial swelling subsides, you'll see the final, even contour of your gum line — and the fuller, more balanced smile it frames.
How Gum Contouring Works — 3 Simple Steps
The procedure sounds more involved than it is. Most patients are surprised by how straightforward the experience turns out to be.
Book Your Consultation
Call or request an appointment online — we offer morning, evening, and Saturday slots so you don't have to rearrange your week. Dr. Deshpande will review your gum line and show you what's possible.
We Handle the Precision
Using a dental laser, Dr. Deshpande carefully sculpts your gum line to the planned contour while you stay comfortable and informed throughout. The procedure typically takes under 90 minutes.
You Leave with a New Smile
Results are visible immediately. A few days of mild recovery, and the full effect is clear — an even, balanced gum line that lets your teeth do the talking.
Patients Who Were Nervous — Until They Weren't
These are real accounts from people in Kenilworth, Summit, and New Providence who came in hesitant and left relieved.
“Dr. Deshpande and her team made me feel completely at ease during my Invisalign consultation. I'm three months in and already seeing amazing results. The entire process has been smooth from start to finish.”
“I had been putting off getting a dental implant for years because I was nervous. Turns out the procedure was way easier than I expected. The implant looks and feels exactly like my real tooth. Highly recommend this practice.”
“The Zoom whitening was incredible — my teeth went from yellowed to bright white in about an hour. The staff was so friendly and professional. I've already recommended Brilliant Smiles to all my friends.”
Procedures That Complement Your Treatment
Zoom! Teeth Whitening
Professional Zoom whitening brightens your smile up to 8 shades in a single comfortable office visit.
Learn more
Porcelain Veneers
Ultra-thin porcelain veneers correct chips, gaps, discoloration, and uneven teeth for a flawless smile.
Learn more
Cosmetic Bonding
Dental bonding repairs chips, closes small gaps, and reshapes teeth in a single visit — no lab work needed.
Learn moreQuestions We Hear About Gum Contouring
What is gum contouring and who is it actually for?
Gum contouring — also called gingivoplasty — is a procedure that reshapes the gumline to create a more balanced, proportional smile. It's most commonly sought by people who feel self-conscious about a "gummy smile," where too much gum is visible when they smile, or by patients who have an uneven gumline that makes teeth look different lengths. If you've always felt like your smile looks slightly off and couldn't quite put your finger on why, the gumline is often the reason.
Is gum contouring painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you won't feel it during treatment. Afterward, there's usually some tenderness for a few days — most patients manage it comfortably with over-the-counter pain relief. Dr. Deshpande will explain exactly what to expect before you start so there are no surprises during recovery.
How long does the procedure take, and will I need time off?
Most gum contouring procedures are completed in a single appointment lasting about 1 to 2 hours depending on the extent of reshaping needed. Most patients return to work the next day, though you may want to stick to soft foods for a few days while the tissue heals. We offer evening and Saturday appointments if you'd prefer to time it around your week.
Is the result permanent?
Yes — once gum tissue is removed, it doesn't grow back. That makes it a very durable solution, but it also means Dr. Deshpande takes a conservative, precise approach to make sure the final result is exactly right before any tissue is removed. You'll have a detailed consultation beforehand where you can see what the outcome will look like.
Can I combine gum contouring with other cosmetic work?
Absolutely — gum contouring is often done as part of a broader smile makeover alongside veneers, bonding, or whitening. In fact, reshaping the gumline first often changes the entire frame of the smile, which affects how other cosmetic work is planned. Dr. Deshpande will help you think through the right sequence if you're considering combining treatments.
The patients I enjoy helping most are the ones who come in convinced they have to live with something — and leave realizing they never did.
Dr. Sonal Deshpande, DDS
General & Cosmetic Dentist · Kenilworth, NJ
Gum contouring is one of those procedures that surprises people — not because it's complicated, but because the change is immediate and the process is far gentler than they expected. Most patients tell Dr. Deshpande they wish they'd asked about it years earlier.
A Balanced Smile — Without Hiding Your Teeth
One consultation with Dr. Deshpande is all it takes to find out whether gum contouring is right for you — and what your result could look like.
Your consultation includes a full evaluation of your gum line, a conversation about your goals, and a clear explanation of the procedure, timeline, and cost — before you commit to anything. We accept most major dental plans and can usually see new patients within the week.