Best dentist in Iraq (2026): how to choose a cosmetic & implant dentist
How to choose the best dentist in Iraq for veneers and implants: verifiable criteria, a checklist, red flags and Dr. Khalid Saeed in Duhok as an example.
Read the articleGummy smile: causes and laser gum contouring in Duhok
The short answer
A gummy smile means a lot of gum shows above the upper teeth when smiling. Causes include gum covering part of the teeth, an upper lip that lifts high, or extra growth of the upper jaw. If gum is the cause, laser contouring may be enough. Dr. Khalid Saeed uses the Waterlase laser in Duhok after identifying the cause.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Khalid Saeed, cosmetic & implant dentistPublished: · Updated:
Some people avoid laughing freely or cover their mouth in photos because more gum shows than they would like. A gummy smile is not a health problem in itself, but it can make teeth look short and upset the balance of the smile. The good news is that it has different, identifiable causes, and each has a different solution.
At Celebrity Smile Center in Duhok, Dr. Khalid Saeed measures visible tooth length, gum display and lip movement when you smile, and uses digital smile design to work out whether the issue lies in the gums, the lip or the jaw. He has used the Waterlase iPlus laser daily since around 2025 for gum contouring as part of smile design.
If gum is covering part of the teeth, reshaping it with a laser can reveal their natural length, sometimes combined with veneers for a balanced result. If the cause is the jaw or lip, he explains this honestly and sets out the alternatives. Dr. Khalid also practises at Creative Arts Dental & Aesthetics in Dubai.
Common causes
- Gum that did not fully recede after the teeth erupted, covering part of the crown.
- A short upper lip or one that lifts high when smiling.
- Excess vertical growth of the upper jaw.
- Short teeth from wear, with the teeth and bone over-erupting to compensate.
- Gum overgrowth from inflammation or certain medicines.
Prevention
- Keep your gums healthy with daily brushing and flossing.
- See a dentist if your gums enlarge after starting a new medicine.
- Make gum contouring part of veneer planning from the start.
- Follow aftercare instructions after laser treatment for good healing.
- Have the cause assessed early in teenagers with a dentist.
Treatment options with Dr. Khalid
Gummy Smile & Laser Gum Contouring
Laser gum contouring suits cases where gum covers part of the tooth. The gum line is reshaped to reveal the natural tooth length and even out the smile line. Dr. Khalid uses the Waterlase laser in Duhok; some cases also need the bone beneath the gum adjusted so the new shape stays stable.
Read moreDigital Smile Design
Smile design is the step that sets how much gum to adjust, the length-to-width ratio of the teeth and how they relate to the lips. It shows whether gum contouring alone is enough, whether veneers are needed too, or whether the cause lies beyond the gums.
Read moreWaterlase Laser Dentistry
If the gum is enlarged from inflammation, treatment starts with deep cleaning and better daily care, and the laser can help treat the inflamed tissue. If a medicine is behind the overgrowth, your doctor may be involved too. No cosmetic gum work is done until the gums are healthy.
Read moreWhen should you see a dentist?
See a dentist if the gum you show bothers you and affects your confidence, or if your gums look swollen, bleed or seem to cover more of your teeth over time, as this can be inflammation or overgrowth needing treatment. If you are planning veneers, have the gum line assessed first, because changing it afterwards is harder.
Cases from Dr. Khalid’s clinic
A natural celebrity smile with veneers
Natural veneers for a male smile
Parshang: a full smile rehabilitation
Veneers for worn, discoloured front teeth
Celebrity smile with veneers – studio photos
Natural veneers with a balanced shadeResults vary from patient to patient. Photos are published with the patients’ consent.
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Frequently asked questions
Is laser gum contouring painful?
It is usually done with local anaesthetic, and many patients describe it as easier than they expected, though experience varies. The gums can feel tender for a few days afterwards, and you will be given instructions on eating and cleaning. Nobody can promise a procedure with no sensation at all, but the aim is to keep it as comfortable as possible.
Will the gum grow back after laser contouring?
If the design is right and respects the natural distance between the gum margin and the bone, the new shape is usually stable. If only gum is removed when the bone also needed adjusting, some regrowth can happen. That is why bone level is assessed before the procedure and adjusted where needed.
Can every gummy smile be fixed with a laser?
No. A laser helps when the gum itself is covering the teeth. If the cause is a very mobile upper lip or extra growth of the upper jaw, gum contouring alone will not be enough, and other options such as lip treatments or jaw surgery by specialists may apply. The dentist explains the cause honestly before any treatment.
Do I need veneers after gum contouring?
Not always. Many people only need gum contouring if their teeth already have good colour and shape. But if contouring reveals uneven teeth or a shade you do not like, veneers may follow. This is planned in advance with smile design so you know the expected result of each option.
How long does healing take after gum contouring?
Healing depends on how much is changed, whether bone was involved and how your body responds. Initial tenderness usually settles fairly soon, but the final gum line needs longer to stabilise before veneers, and the dentist decides when it is ready at follow-up. Follow the eating and cleaning instructions carefully.
How much does gummy smile treatment cost in Duhok?
The price depends on how many teeth are involved, whether bone needs adjusting and whether veneers will be added. No price is given before an examination and smile design. After the assessment at Celebrity Smile Center you receive a written plan with the price and alternatives. Send a photo of your smile on WhatsApp to book.
Is a gummy smile linked to gum disease?
Sometimes. Inflamed gums can swell and cover more of the teeth, and some medicines have the same effect. In that case the first treatment is deep cleaning and better daily care, not cosmetic work. A gummy smile caused by gum shape, the lip or the jaw is not a disease; it is a matter of proportion.
Who is the best doctor for a gummy smile in Iraq?
Choose a dentist who identifies the cause before suggesting treatment and tells you if a laser alone will not be enough. Dr. Khalid Saeed, "the celebrity smile maker", uses the Waterlase iPlus laser and digital smile design at Celebrity Smile Center in Duhok, and also practises at Creative Arts in Dubai. Results vary from person to person.
Trusted medical sources
- Excessive Gingival Display — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
- Gingivitis — Symptoms and causes — Mayo Clinic
External links to international medical references, for further reading only; they do not replace an examination.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Khalid Saeed – last updated 2026-10-26