01 Gum Contouring
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Periodontist & Implantologist
Gum contouring reshapes the gum tissue itself, not the teeth, removing or redistributing excess gum to reveal more natural tooth and create an even, symmetrical gumline for a gummy smile or uneven gum levels.
At Clarus Dental Specialities in Koregaon Park, gum contouring is planned and delivered directly by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist.
Patients usually choose this for: a gummy smile an uneven or asymmetric gumline gum changes after orthodontics a quick outpatient procedure
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Quick answer: Gum contouring reshapes the gum tissue around your teeth, removing or redistributing excess gum, usually with a laser, to reveal more natural tooth and create an even, symmetrical gumline. It addresses a gummy smile or uneven gum levels, and is a soft-tissue procedure, not a change to the teeth themselves. In Koregaon Park, Pune, gum contouring is assessed and performed directly by Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar, a US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist.
Before You Book
But if you want treatment backed by science and done by a US Board Certified Specialist, you're in the right chair.
02 Overview
Every tooth-focused cosmetic option on this site, whitening, bonding, veneers, changes something about the tooth itself. Gum contouring works on a different dimension entirely: the soft tissue framing the teeth. Excess or uneven gum tissue can make teeth look shorter or a smile look asymmetric, even when the teeth themselves are perfectly healthy.
The procedure removes or reshapes this excess gum tissue, most often with a laser, to reveal more of the natural tooth crown underneath and create a smoother, more even gumline from tooth to tooth.
Because Dr. Neel is a periodontist, a specialist in gum and supporting tissue, gum contouring here starts with a genuine periodontal health assessment, not just a cosmetic trim, so any underlying gum issues are identified before reshaping begins.
03 Candidacy
Gum contouring works best when the concern is genuinely about gum tissue level and shape, not the teeth or bone underneath.
04 Background
Because gum contouring is often marketed as a purely cosmetic "gum trim," it's easy to overlook that gum tissue health and reshaping are closely connected. Reshaping gum tissue that's inflamed or diseased can lead to a less predictable, less stable result.
A periodontist's assessment, checking for inflammation, gum thickness, and the underlying bone level, helps determine both how much tissue can be safely reshaped and whether soft tissue contouring alone will achieve the look you want.
In some cases, what looks like excess gum is partly related to bone position, not just soft tissue, and may call for a different conversation, sometimes involving a combined approach, addressed honestly at your consultation rather than assumed.
05 Options
The technique is matched to the extent of reshaping needed and your gum tissue's condition.
A dental laser precisely reshapes gum tissue with typically minimal bleeding and a faster healing process than traditional methods.
A conventional surgical approach to reshaping gum tissue, used in select cases based on individual assessment.
When more of the tooth needs to be revealed than soft tissue alone allows, minor reshaping of the underlying bone is combined with gum contouring.
06 Procedure
Gum tissue, thickness, and underlying bone level are assessed before any reshaping is planned.
The treatment area is numbed so the procedure is comfortable throughout.
Excess gum tissue is precisely removed or reshaped using a laser, or a scalpel in select cases.
Tissue is shaped tooth by tooth to create a smooth, symmetrical gumline overall.
A follow-up check confirms the gum tissue is healing well and settling into its final shape.
07 Cost Factors
Cost depends on individual case factors and is discussed only after examination, once the following are known:
A specific estimate is only meaningful after a clinical evaluation. This section is informational and is not a quotation.
If gum contouring has been suggested elsewhere, Dr. Neel, a periodontist by specialty, is available to review your gum tissue and confirm whether soft tissue reshaping alone will achieve your goal.
08 Aftercare
Mild swelling or tenderness is common, and softer foods are recommended during this period.
Gum tissue is actively healing, gentle brushing near the treated area is advised.
The gumline gradually settles into its final, healed shape.
Regular hygiene visits help maintain the result and overall gum health.
09 Limits
Being upfront about the trade-offs matters:
10 Your Visit
Your visit starts with an examination of your gum tissue, its thickness, and the underlying bone level, followed by a clear explanation of whether your case is a good fit for soft tissue reshaping alone or needs a broader conversation.
11 Why This Clinic
BDS (Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai) · Postgraduate periodontology training, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA · Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology (2008) · ITI Fellow, International Team for Implantology (2009)
Because Dr. Neel is Pune's only US Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist, and one of only two in India, gum contouring at this clinic is performed by a specialist in gum tissue itself, not treated as a general cosmetic add-on.
Gum health and bone position are assessed before any reshaping is planned.
Typically minimal bleeding and a faster healing process than traditional methods.
If bone position is part of the picture, that's explained rather than treated as a simple trim.
The only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai.
Patients can also read independent reviews on Google and Practo.
12 Visit Us
This dentist and dental clinic in Koregaon Park also treats patients from nearby areas of Pune. See the full Koregaon Park clinic page →
13 International Patients
Clarus Dental Specialities is the only dental clinic in Pune listed by the US Consulate Mumbai, and Dr. Neel holds a dual US-India dental license, giving NRI and overseas patients confidence in the standard of cosmetic dental care available here.
Laser-assisted gum contouring is typically completed in a single outpatient visit with a manageable healing period, making it straightforward to plan within a visit to Pune.
14 FAQ
The area is numbed with local anesthesia beforehand, so the procedure itself is generally comfortable, with mild tenderness possible for a day or two after.
Initial healing is typically within one to two weeks, with the gumline settling into its final shape over two to four weeks.
The reshaping itself is generally long-lasting, though results depend on maintaining healthy gum tissue over time.
It can significantly improve a gummy smile caused by excess soft tissue; cases where bone position also contributes may need a broader approach.
Laser-assisted contouring is the most common approach here, typically offering more precision and faster healing than traditional methods.
Some minor settling can occur, but properly reshaped, healthy gum tissue generally holds its new shape well over time.
Yes, it's often combined with whitening, bonding, or veneers as part of a broader smile makeover plan.
1. Clinical literature on laser-assisted gingival contouring and periodontal outcomes, indexed on PubMed Central. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc
2. Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar's peer-reviewed publications, indexed on PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Call or WhatsApp the clinic directly to ask questions or set up a cosmetic dentistry consultation with Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar.
This page provides general dental information and does not constitute a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical advice. Outcomes vary by individual case. No specific results, costs, or timelines are guaranteed. Please consult Dr. Neel Bhatavadekar or a qualified specialist for advice specific to your condition.
