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A close-up of an even gum line framing the upper front teeth

Finesse Dental · Rancho Cucamonga

Gum contouring in Rancho Cucamonga

When it’s the gums,
not the teeth.

Some smiles look uneven because of the gum line rather than the teeth themselves — too much gum showing, or one tooth that looks shorter than its neighbor. Reshaping the gum can even that out. Whether it suits you depends on what is causing it.

  • Assessed before anything is recommended
  • Often combined with other cosmetic work
Book a Gum AssessmentCall (909) 852-6787

Not sure whether it is your gums or your teeth? We can tell you at a consultation.

Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Upland and Ontario · caring for RC since 2004

One dentist, start to finishDr. Moqattash assesses and treats
Health checked firstGum disease is treated before any cosmetic reshaping
Honest about suitabilityNot every gummy smile is a gum problem
Costs explained upfrontCareCredit available

The part most pages skip

Not every gummy smile
is fixed by gum surgery.

A smile can show a lot of gum for several different reasons, and they need different answers. Sometimes there is genuinely excess gum tissue covering the teeth, and reshaping helps. But a short upper lip, a lip that moves a long way when you smile, teeth that did not fully erupt, or the position of the upper jaw itself can all produce the same appearance — and contouring the gum would not fix any of them. Working out which one you have is the entire point of the assessment.

Book a gum assessmentMeet Dr. Moqattash
Dr. Alexander Moqattash of Finesse Dental
Dr. Alexander MoqattashDDS · New York University College of Dentistry

What contouring can address

When the gum line
is the problem.

These are the situations where reshaping the gum tissue genuinely changes the result.

An uneven gum lineOne or two teeth where the gum sits lower than its neighbors, making them look shorter or asymmetric.
Excess tissue over the teethWhere gum genuinely covers more of the tooth than it should, so the teeth look small relative to the smile.
Teeth that look shortSometimes the tooth is the right size and the gum is simply sitting too low over it.
Preparing for veneers or crownsGum position frames the final result. Where it needs adjusting, that happens before the restorations are made.
Asymmetry you notice in photosA gum line that is slightly off on one side can be the thing you keep noticing without being able to name it.
Where it will not helpIf the cause is your lip, your jaw position or unerupted teeth, reshaping the gum will not change the appearance. You need to know that first.

This one really does need looking at. The causes look similar in a mirror and behave very differently. An assessment is the only way to know which applies to you.

Options & suitability

What the assessment
actually looks at.

Before anything is recommended, we need to establish what is creating the appearance you do not like.

That means looking at gum health first — inflammation and gum disease are treated before any cosmetic reshaping, because reshaping inflamed tissue does not hold. Then how much tooth is actually covered, how your lip moves when you smile, where the bone sits relative to the teeth, and whether the teeth erupted fully.

Depending on what we find, reshaping the gum may be the answer, part of the answer alongside other work, or not the answer at all. In some cases the appropriate route is a referral to a specialist. We would rather tell you that than perform a procedure that will not achieve what you are after.

All cosmetic options

Worth understanding first

  • Gum tissue that is removed does not grow back — this is not reversible.
  • Healthy gums are a prerequisite, not an afterthought.
  • Some cases need bone assessment, not just soft tissue reshaping.
  • Some causes of a gummy smile are not treatable by contouring at all.
  • Healing takes time before the final appearance settles.

Related treatments

Gum contouring often sits alongside restorative work rather than standing alone.

Smile makeoverWhen the gum line is one of several things you would like addressed together. Porcelain veneersGum position frames veneers, so where both are planned the sequence matters. Exams & cleaningGum health comes first. Sometimes treating inflammation changes the appearance on its own.

What to expect

Assessment first.
Then a recommendation.

  1. Assessment

    We examine your gums, teeth and how your lip moves when you smile, and establish what is actually causing the appearance. You will get a straight answer about whether contouring would help.

  2. The plan, and the honest version of it

    If contouring suits your case we explain what is involved, what it will and will not change, and what it costs. If it does not suit, we tell you what would.

  3. Treatment and healing

    The reshaping itself, followed by a healing period before the final appearance settles. If other cosmetic work is planned, we sequence it around this.

Book a Gum Assessment

Before you book

Gum contouring,
explained.

How much does gum contouring cost?

It depends on how many teeth are involved and whether the case is soft tissue alone or needs more. We will give you the cost after the assessment, before anything goes ahead. Call (909) 852-6787 to ask.

Will it fix my gummy smile?

Sometimes — it depends what is causing it. If there is genuinely excess gum tissue over the teeth, reshaping can help a great deal. If the cause is your lip, the position of your upper jaw, or teeth that did not fully erupt, contouring the gum will not change the appearance. The assessment is what tells us which you have.

Does it grow back?

Gum tissue that is removed does not return. That makes this an irreversible procedure, which is why the assessment matters and why we will not recommend it unless it genuinely addresses what is bothering you.

Is it painful?

The area is numbed for the procedure. Some tenderness afterwards while the tissue heals is normal, and we will tell you what to expect and how to manage it. We would rather set that expectation honestly than describe it as nothing at all.

How long does healing take?

The gum needs time to settle before the final shape is apparent, so it is not an instant result. We will give you a realistic timeframe for your case, and if restorative work is planned on top, we sequence it around the healing rather than rushing it.

Can it be done at the same time as veneers?

It is often planned together, because gum position frames how the veneers will look. The usual approach is to address the gum line first and allow healing before the final restorations are made, so the result is designed around the settled tissue.

What if my gums bleed or are sore?

Then that comes first. Bleeding or sore gums usually indicate inflammation or gum disease, and cosmetic reshaping of inflamed tissue does not hold. Treating the health issue sometimes improves the appearance on its own. See exams and cleaning.

Will my insurance cover it?

When the purpose is cosmetic, generally not — elective treatment is excluded by most plans. Where a procedure has a functional or periodontal purpose the position can differ. We will tell you which applies rather than assuming.

Cost & payment

What does
it cost?

It depends on how many teeth are involved and what the assessment finds. We will give you a figure once we know what we are dealing with, and before anything is scheduled.

Cosmetic treatment is elective, so most dental plans do not cover it. We will tell you which parts of a plan might qualify rather than assuming either way, and CareCredit is available if you would rather spread the cost.

Payment & CareCredit information

No commitment at the assessment

  • Cost given after the assessment, before treatment is scheduled.
  • If contouring will not help your case, we will say so.
  • Where other work is planned, costs are set out stage by stage.
  • CareCredit available for larger cosmetic plans.
Ask About Cost

Find out whether it’s your gums or your teeth.

Finesse Dental · 8906 San Bernardino Rd, Suite 130
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
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