Dental Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that exposes more tooth structure by repositioning the gumline and, when necessary, reshaping a small amount of supporting bone. It can be performed for restorative reasons or, in selected cases, to change the appearance of a gummy or uneven smile.

Why might crown lengthening be needed before a crown?

If decay or a fracture extends close to or below the gumline, there may not be enough healthy tooth structure available for a predictable restoration. Crown lengthening can create access to sound tooth structure and help provide room for the margin of a future dental crown while respecting the tissues that attach around the tooth.

Can crown lengthening be cosmetic?

Yes. In selected patients, periodontal surgery can expose more of the natural tooth and change an uneven gumline. Before recommending the procedure, the relationship between the teeth, gums, lip position and underlying bone should be evaluated because not every gummy smile has the same cause.

What happens during the procedure?

The area is numbed with local anesthetic. The gum tissue is carefully repositioned and, when required, a small amount of bone is reshaped around the tooth. The tissue is then sutured into its new position. The extent of treatment depends on the reason for the procedure and the anatomy of the site.

What is recovery like?

Temporary soreness, swelling and sensitivity can occur during healing. Detailed postoperative instructions are provided based on the procedure performed. The gums continue to mature after the initial healing phase, so the timing of a final crown or other restoration is individualized rather than based on one fixed number of weeks.

Will the gum ever move again?

Gum position can change as tissues heal and mature, and some rebound is possible. That is one reason careful planning and appropriate healing time matter. Crown lengthening should not be presented as a guarantee that the gumline will never change.

What are the tradeoffs?

Exposing more tooth structure can improve restorability, but it may also make a tooth look longer, create temporary root sensitivity or alter the contour between neighboring teeth. For some teeth, extraction or another restorative approach may provide a better prognosis. The decision depends on the individual tooth and the overall treatment plan.

Crown lengthening in Palo Alto

Dr. Sharma can evaluate whether additional tooth structure needs to be exposed and whether crown lengthening is appropriate. When specialist periodontal care is preferred, we can coordinate treatment with a periodontist.

Learn more about periodontal care or request an appointment.