Quick answer
Laser crown lengthening removes or reshapes gum tissue with a laser. It is a soft-tissue procedure and cannot remove bone, so it works only when the bone level is already correct. It costs about $400–$1,200 and heals faster than a flap, but it is not a substitute for osseous crown lengthening.
At a glance
- What the laser cuts
- Gum tissue only
- Bone removal
- No
- Typical cost
- $400–$1,200
- Best for
- Excess gum with a normal bone level
“Laser crown lengthening” is one of the most searched terms in cosmetic dentistry, and one of the most oversold. A laser is a tool, not a procedure. It can remove gum precisely and with less bleeding, but it cannot remove the bone that limits how much tooth can be exposed.
That single limitation decides who is a candidate.
What the laser actually does
A dental soft-tissue laser delivers energy that cuts or vaporises gum tissue. The surgeon uses it to:
- Trim an uneven gum line.
- Remove excess gum over a tooth.
- Reshape the gum around a restoration.
- Reduce the gum margin in a gum-only crown lengthening.
The laser seals small blood vessels as it cuts, so the site often bleeds less and may feel less raw than a scalpel gingivectomy. It does not remove bone, and it does not change the attachment level.
Laser vs surgical crown lengthening
The distinction is anatomical:
- Laser gingivectomy removes gum only. It is appropriate when the bone is already at the correct level and only the gum is excess.
- Surgical crown lengthening raises a flap and reduces bone. It is required when the tooth is short because the bone sits high, or when a crown margin would sit too close to the bone.
If a practice advertises “laser crown lengthening” for a tooth that is short because of the bone, ask what happens to the bone. If the answer is “the laser takes care of it”, the plan is incomplete. A soft-tissue laser cannot create the 3 mm of tooth-to-bone space that a restoration needs.
Who is a good candidate
A good candidate has:
- Excess gum over teeth that are otherwise a normal length.
- A bone level that is already correct or has been reduced.
- Healthy gums without active periodontal disease.
- An uneven gum line that needs precision contouring.
- Realistic expectations: the change is in the gum, not the tooth.
A poor candidate has:
- Short teeth caused by a high bone level.
- A crown margin that sits below the gum and close to the bone.
- Active gum disease or poor hygiene.
- A gummy smile caused by a hypermobile lip or a long upper jaw.
- A tooth that is fractured below the bone.
The crown lengthening vs gingivectomy guide explains why the bone level decides the procedure.
The appointment
Laser contouring is usually quick — 15 to 45 minutes for a small area. The gum is numbed with local anaesthetic. The surgeon marks the new gum line, removes the excess tissue with the laser and checks the contour.
There are often no sutures. A protective dressing may be placed, or the site may be left to heal openly. You leave with instructions for gentle brushing, rinsing and a soft diet.
Recovery
The gum surface typically closes within one to two weeks. Discomfort is usually mild, and many patients return to work the same day or the next. The gum line may look uneven for a few weeks as it settles.
Compare that with a flap and bone recontour: sutures for 7 to 14 days, more swelling, and a gum line that takes two to three months to mature. The laser recovery is easier because the procedure is smaller, not because the laser is magic.
What it costs
A gum-only laser contouring procedure commonly falls between $400 and $1,200. The range depends on the number of teeth, the city and whether the procedure is bundled with other treatment.
A flap with bone recontouring is $700 to $1,800 for one tooth and $2,000 to $5,000 for an aesthetic case across four to six teeth. Insurance usually treats laser contouring as cosmetic and excludes it.
The cheaper price is only a saving if the procedure is the right one. A laser gum lift on a bone case may look good for a few months and then rebound.
The risks
Laser contouring carries the same basic risks as a gingivectomy:
- Bleeding, usually mild.
- Swelling and soreness.
- Infection, uncommon but possible.
- Sensitivity as the gum recedes.
- An uneven gum line that needs a touch-up.
- Gum rebound if the bone is high.
- A change in the smile that does not match the mock-up.
A trained clinician using the correct settings limits the risk of collateral tissue damage. Ask who performs the procedure and how often they use the laser for this purpose.
What to ask
- Is my bone level correct, or does it need to be reduced?
- Is this a laser gingivectomy or a surgical crown lengthening?
- How many teeth will be treated?
- Can I see a mock-up of the planned gum line?
- What happens if the gum grows back?
- What is the total cost, including any restoration afterwards?
If the practice cannot answer the bone question, get a second opinion from a periodontist. The periodontist directory lists practices by state and city.
The bottom line
Laser crown lengthening is a good procedure for the right case: excess gum, normal bone, a healthy mouth and a precise contour. It is not a substitute for bone surgery, and it should not be sold as one. The diagnosis comes first; the laser is just the instrument.
Laser gum contouring vs surgical crown lengthening
| Aspect | Laser | Surgery with bone |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue treated | Gum only | Gum and bone |
| Anaesthesia | Local; often minimal | Local; sedation optional |
| Bleeding | Usually less | Normal surgical bleeding |
| Sutures | Often none | Yes, 7–14 days |
| Gum rebound | Higher if the bone is high | Lower when bone is correctly reduced |
Frequently asked questions
Is laser crown lengthening the same as surgical crown lengthening?
No. A laser removes soft tissue. Surgical crown lengthening that involves bone requires a flap and a rotary instrument. The laser is appropriate for gum-only contouring when the bone level is already correct.
Does laser crown lengthening hurt?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself should not hurt. Afterwards, the gum is sore and may feel tight for a few days. Most patients manage with over-the-counter pain relief and a soft diet.
How much does laser crown lengthening cost?
A planning range is $400 to $1,200 for a gum-only laser procedure, depending on how many teeth and the city. It is usually less than a flap with bone recontouring because it is a shorter, simpler procedure.
Can a laser remove bone?
A soft-tissue laser used in dentistry does not remove bone. Some laser wavelengths can interact with bone, but that is not the standard crown lengthening procedure. If bone has to be reduced, the surgeon uses a flap and a rotary instrument.
Will the gum grow back after laser contouring?
It can, if the bone sits high and the gum was the only tissue removed. The gum tends to return toward its original level. When the bone is correctly reduced, the new gum line is more stable.
How long is recovery after laser gum contouring?
The gum surface usually closes within one to two weeks, and many patients return to normal eating within a few days. The gum line continues to settle for several weeks. It is faster than a flap with bone recontouring.