Disposable gate structures are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A planarization dielectric layer is deposited over the disposable gate structures and planarized to provide a top surface that is coplanar with top surface of the disposable gate structures. The planarization dielectric layer at this point includes gap-fill keyholes between narrowly spaced disposable gate structures. A printable dielectric layer is deposited over the planarization dielectric layer to fill the gap-fill keyholes. Areas of the printable dielectric layer over the gap-fill keyholes are illuminated with radiation that cross-links cross-linkable bonds in the material of the printable dielectric layer. Non-crosslinked portions of the printable dielectric layer are subsequently removed selective to crosslinked portions of the printable dielectric layer, which fills at least the upper portion of each gate-fill keyhole. The disposable gate structures are removed to form gate cavities. The gate cavities are filled with a gate dielectric and a gate electrode.