Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening reshapes the gum and bone tissue around a tooth to reveal more of its natural surface. 

What Is Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that removes or recontours gum tissue and a small amount of bone, to reveal more of a tooth’s natural structure. This exposure creates the space needed for restorative work, such as crowns or fillings, and helps improve both function and appearance.

It’s often recommended when:

• A tooth is too short for a crown or filling to fit properly
• Decay or damage extends below the gumline
• There’s excessive gum tissue creating a gummy smile

By adjusting the gum-to-tooth ratio, crown lengthening restores a healthy tooth area for treatment and helps prevent trapped foods, inflammation, and recurrent tooth decay.

Crown Lengthening vs. Gingivectomy

While both procedures reshape gum tissue, a gingivectomy removes only soft tissue around the teeth. 

Crown lengthening may also involve reshaping the underlying bone to expose enough healthy tooth structure for restorative work or to improve smile balance.

Procedure	Ideal For	What It Involves	Benefits
Crown Lengthening	Teeth needing crowns or restorations; uneven gumline.	Removes gum and bone to expose more tooth.	Improves tooth access for fillings or crowns, enhances appearance.
Gingivectomy	Overgrown gums, early gum disease, gummy smiles.	Removes excess gum tissue only.	Reduces pocket depth, improves gum contour.

Why Crown Lengthening Is Needed

This procedure supports many aspects of oral health and restorative dentistry:

• Restorative preparation: Provides a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, or fillings.
• Tooth preservation: Helps save a tooth that would otherwise need extraction.
• Improved oral hygiene: Reduces areas where plaque and bacteria collect.
• Aesthetic balance: Corrects uneven gumlines for a more natural smile.

It may be combined with other periodontal procedures, such as scaling and root planing or gum grafting, for optimal results.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your comfort and safety are our priority. Here’s what typically happens during a crown lengthening procedure:

1. Local anesthesia: The area is numbed to keep you comfortable.
2. Tissue adjustment: The gum tissue is gently lifted, and small amounts of bone may be reshaped.
3. Exposure of tooth structure: Enough tooth surface is revealed to allow proper crown placement or cosmetic balance.
4. Sutures and healing: The gums are repositioned and sutured for optimal healing. Most patients return to their regular routines within a few days, with full soft-tissue healing in about two weeks.

Recovery and Aftercare

After the procedure, you may experience mild tenderness or swelling, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

To support healing:

• Avoid hard/sharp foods or small seeds for the first 2 weeks.
• Brush gently around the surgical area after the first 1-2 weeks.
• Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash as directed.
• Attend follow-up visits so your periodontist can monitor healing and confirm that the tooth is properly exposed for restorative work.

Why Patients Choose Periodontal Associates

For nearly 50 years, Periodontal Associates has provided advanced periodontal and implant care across Centennial and Aurora, CO. Our board-certified specialists use 3D imaging and laser-assisted techniques for precision, comfort, and predictable results.

Patients choose us because we:

• Specialize in surgical periodontal procedures and restorative collaboration
• Offer compassionate, patient-centered care in a supportive environment
• Work closely with your dentist to maintain long-term function and aesthetics
• Provide comprehensive treatment planning using advanced diagnostic tools

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