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Gum Contouring in Monterey, CA
Refine your gum line. Reveal your best smile.
At Dr. Sarah Frahm’s Monterey dental office, we offer expert gum contouring to help patients achieve a more symmetrical, attractive smile. When you make an appointment with us, you receive the following benefits:
- Holistic cosmetic dentistry
- Precision laser technology
- Personalized treatment planning
Gum contouring by Dr. Frahm can make a dramatic difference, all with minimal discomfort and beautiful, natural-looking results. Schedule an appointment with us today for gentle gum contouring.
What is Gum Contouring?
Cosmetic gum contouring, also known as gum reshaping, tissue sculpting, or gingival contouring, is a cosmetic and dental procedure that corrects uneven or excessive gum lines. Whether performed for aesthetic reasons or to support better oral health, this form of cosmetic gum surgery can dramatically improve your smile’s balance and reduce the risk of gum-related issues.
At Dr. Sarah Frahm’s Monterey dental office, we take a personalized approach to gum contouring, helping you achieve a healthier, more balanced smile with precision, comfort, and care.
What Happens When You Undergo Dental Gum Contouring
When your smile feels balanced, confidence follows naturally. Dental gum contouring and reshaping offers the following benefits, including:
- Creates a more symmetrical smile
- Makes teeth appear longer and more proportionate
- Improves overall facial harmony
- Often completed in one visit
A cosmetic procedure like gum line contouring often creates a cascading effect throughout your smile. When the gumline is gently reshaped into better symmetry, the teeth appear more balanced, which naturally enhances your overall appearance.
Who Is a Candidate for Gum Sculpting?
People who can benefit from a gum reduction procedure are candidates who:
- Feel their smile shows too much gum
- Have uneven gumlines
- Want to improve the look of short teeth
- Are planning veneers, crowns or other cosmetic treatments
- Have healthy gums and teeth
Gum sculpting gently reshapes the gumline to create a better balance between your gums and the height of your teeth. This subtle refinement enhances the overall harmony of your smile and also prepares the teeth so that veneers or crowns can fit naturally and beautifully.
Why Choose Us for Gum Contouring?
- Laser-assisted for precision and faster healing
- Minimally invasive with little to no downtime
- Custom results that look natural and balanced
- Can improve both aesthetics and gum health
- Performed in-office in about 1–2 hours
What to Expect: Before, During & After
After a thorough consultation, Dr. Frahm will numb the area and gently remove or sculpt gum tissue using a soft tissue laser. For gum recession cases, grafting may be recommended to restore the gum line.
Post-procedure, expect some mild soreness — easily managed with over-the-counter medication. Stick to soft foods and be gentle with brushing for a few days. Most patients resume normal routines quickly.
Before Gum Contouring
- A conversation on what you’d like to improve for your smile.
- A thorough dental checkup to ensure healthy teeth and gums.
- Dr. Frahm checks the gum-to-tooth ratio to determine how much gum to remove, considering lip position, tooth wear, bone levels around each tooth, and other factors.
- Taking photographs of your smile so you and Dr. Frahm can work on a treatment plan together.
- Discuss if you need sedation dentistry options for your comfort during the procedure. If so, plan to have a driver take you home right after the gum trimming procedure.
What Happens During Gum Contouring
- Dr. Frahm will provide local anesthesia to numb your gums.
- She will gently remove gum tissue using a soft tissue laser.
- The remaining gum tissue is reshaped for a more balanced, uniform appearance.
- In cases of gum recession, grafting may be recommended to restore the gum line.
After Gum Contouring
- Expect mild soreness after anesthesia wears off.
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications for pain relief.
- Stick to soft foods and be gentle with brushing for a few days.
- Most patients resume normal routines quickly.
Results are permanent — and with proper care, your new gum line will last for years.
What Patients Are Saying
This dental practice is friendly, personable, professional and takes time to provide comforting details. And I had the best teeth cleaning that I can ever remember having. Would not hesitate to recommend.
I feel I am in good hands with Dr. Sarah. She is gentle, kind and informative. She has the energy of a healer. The staff is wonderful. They even give you a heated neck pillow and a blanket for your comfort and relieve any anxiousness one might have being in the dentist chair.
Stacy Russo is the very best dental hygienist I’ve had! She’s thorough, efficient, and has a wicked sense of humor woven into the mix. She apologizes if she hurts me, and quickly continues her work. With one eye on the clock, she finishes on time. Every time. I hope she never retires (sorry Stacy)! ❤️❤️❤️
Stacey is a fantastic hygienist. I've been seeing her for 25 years as has my husband. Dr Frahm has owned this practice for 3 years. She is very caring. Matter of fact, the entire staff is top notch. They are all caring, pleasant and diligent. I highly recommend this dental practice.
This is, hands down, the VERY BEST DENTIST I have ever experienced in my entire life! And I say that with emphasis.
Immediately just by walking into the office, it's already different. And the way every single person treats you, it almost feels like it's out of a movie. It doesn't seem real. Almost too good to be true...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gum Contouring Painful?
Not at all. The area is numbed beforehand, and most patients report only mild discomfort afterward.
Will Insurance Cover Gum Contouring?
It depends. If the procedure is deemed medically necessary, insurance may cover part of the cost. We’ll go over your benefits and options with you before any treatment.
How Long Does Healing Take for Gum Contouring?
For most people, healing after gum laser treatment can take 1 week or less. The recovery timeline depends on your health and the number of teeth requiring treatment.
How Much Does Gum Contouring Cost?
Gum contouring in Monterey for each tooth can cost from $50 to $350. Actual costs will depend on how a treatment is tailored to the individual patient, as well as other factors such as expertise and location. For a more accurate estimate, schedule a checkup today.
Can Gum Contouring be Combined with Veneers or Whitening?
It’s possible to perform gum contouring along with other cosmetic dental treatments, such as teeth whitening and veneer placement, in a single appointment.
Proudly Serving Patients Throughout Monterey, Carmel & Pacific Grove
Whether you’re looking to enhance your smile or improve gum health, you’re in expert hands with Dr. Sarah Frahm and our compassionate dental team.
We proudly welcome patients from Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and surrounding areas.
Ready to Transform Your Smile?
Let’s help you feel great about your gums — with precision, comfort, and care.
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Contact Us
Let our team of dental care experts help you find your most vibrant smile. Please call (831)-372-8011 today. You can also contact our care concierge to schedule your dentistry consultation with Dr. Sarah Frahm. We serve patients throughout the communities of Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach