What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a precise periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum line, and sometimes the underlying bone, to expose more of the natural tooth. It is performed for two main reasons: cosmetic improvement of a gummy smile or short-looking teeth, and functional support for crowns, fillings, or other restorations when insufficient tooth is visible above the gum.
We recommend crown lengthening when teeth appear too short or too covered by gum tissue, when a tooth is broken or decayed below the gum line, or when a crown or filling cannot be properly placed without first exposing more of the tooth structure. The result is a healthier, more balanced, and more confident smile.
Patients typically come to us for crown lengthening when they feel self-conscious about a gummy smile, when their general dentist refers them before placing a crown or veneer, or when they want a specialist who can deliver predictable, aesthetic, and long-lasting results.
Benefits, Why MD Periodontics
- Transforms gummy smiles, even small adjustments to the gum line dramatically improve the proportion and beauty of your smile
- Makes restoration possible, exposing more tooth structure allows your dentist to place strong, lasting crowns, veneers, or fillings on teeth that were previously not restorable
- Protects long-term tooth health. Proper crown lengthening prevents future gum inflammation, decay, and crown failure caused by margins placed too close to the bone
- Specialist level precision, we use digital smile design, precise surgical techniques, and microsurgical instruments for results that look natural and balanced
- Whole body wellness perspective, healthier gum margins reduce chronic inflammation and support long-term oral and systemic health
- Beverly Hills specialist expertise, Dr. Moshrefi has decades of advanced surgical and aesthetic training, and Dr. Daneshmand brings USC-trained precision and a holistic philosophy to every smile we design together
Who Is a Candidate?
Most patients with a gummy smile, short-looking teeth, or a tooth that needs restoration but lacks visible structure are candidates for crown lengthening. The right approach depends on your gum and bone anatomy, the goal of the procedure, and your overall health, all of which we evaluate carefully.
You may be an ideal candidate if you:
- Feel your smile shows too much gum, or your teeth look too short
- Have uneven gum lines that make your smile look asymmetric
- Have a tooth that is broken, decayed, or fractured below the gum line
- Need a new crown, veneer, or large filling, but not enough tooth is visible
- Are preparing for cosmetic dental work and want an optimal gum frame
- Are in generally good health and have healthy gums
Patients with active gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy grinding habits, certain medications affecting healing, or active tobacco use may need preparatory treatment or additional evaluation before surgery.
The Process
- Consultation and Smile Evaluation. We begin with a comprehensive exam, full medical history review, photographs, and digital smile analysis. For cosmetic cases, we map out the ideal gum line proportions for your face, lips, and teeth.
- Personalized Treatment Plan. Together, we map out your case, including whether the procedure is purely gum reshaping or also involves contouring the underlying bone for a stable, long-lasting result. We clearly review the timeline, comfort options, and expected outcomes, often with a preview of your new smile.
- The Procedure. Using precise surgical techniques and microsurgical instruments, we carefully reshape the gum and, when needed, the bone to expose the proper amount of tooth. Most procedures are completed comfortably under local anesthesia, with sedation available.
- Healing and Tissue Maturation. The gums heal over 1 to 2 weeks for soft tissue work and 3 to 6 months for cases involving bone contouring, where the final shape continues to refine. We monitor your healing at follow-up visits to confirm everything is settling beautifully.
- Final Restoration or Final Result. For cosmetic cases, your new smile is your final result. For functional cases, your general dentist places the final crown, veneer, or restoration once the gums have fully matured, completing your treatment.
Recovery and What to Expect
Most patients return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. Mild swelling and tenderness are common for the first few days and respond well to ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Discomfort is typically much less than patients expect.
Aftercare basics:
- Stick to soft foods for the first several days to a week
- Avoid the treated area when brushing for several days, then resume gentle cleaning with the tools we provide
- Rinse with warm salt water or prescribed antimicrobial rinse as we direct
- Skip strenuous exercise for 3 to 5 days
- Avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods that can irritate healing gums
- Avoid smoking, which significantly slows healing and affects aesthetic results
- Keep all follow-up appointments so we can monitor healing
Call our office if you experience heavy bleeding that does not slow within an hour, severe pain not relieved by medication, fever over 101°F, persistent numbness, drainage from the site, or swelling that worsens after day three.
FAQ
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report far less discomfort than they expected. We offer sedation options for patients who prefer extra comfort or for larger cases.
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report far less discomfort than they expected. We offer sedation options for patients who prefer extra comfort or for larger cases.
Most crown lengthening procedures take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on how many teeth are involved and whether bone contouring is included. Cosmetic cases involving multiple front teeth often fall within that range.
Many dental insurance plans offer partial coverage when the procedure is functionally necessary for a restoration. Coverage for purely cosmetic cases is less common. Our team verifies your benefits and explains your out-of-pocket costs clearly before treatment begins.
Soft tissue healing is essentially complete within 1 to 2 weeks. When bone is reshaped, the gum line continues to refine over 3 to 6 months, which is why we wait before placing final cosmetic restorations on those cases.
Yes, in most cases. A gummy smile is one of the most common reasons patients seek crown lengthening. We carefully analyze your lip position, tooth proportions, and gum levels to design a result that looks natural and balanced.
Yes, that is the goal. We expose the proper amount of natural tooth that was previously hidden by gum tissue, creating the proportions your smile was meant to show. The change is often dramatic but always looks natural when planned carefully.
Yes. With proper healing and ongoing oral hygiene, the new gum line is stable and long-lasting. We design every case with long-term stability in mind, including proper bone contouring when needed to support permanent results.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal specialty procedure, especially when bone reshaping is involved. Periodontists are trained in the precise anatomy of the gum, bone, and supporting tissues. The aesthetic and functional outcomes consistently benefit from specialist hands.
Yes. Crown lengthening is often planned in coordination with cosmetic dentistry to optimize the gum frame before veneers are placed. We work closely with your general or cosmetic dentist to ensure the final result is harmonious.
Yes. You see a noticeable change as soon as the procedure is complete, although some swelling is normal for the first few days. The final aesthetic result becomes fully apparent as the tissue matures over the following weeks to months.
Yes. Properly contoured gum margins are easier to keep clean, reduce chronic inflammation, and lower the risk of decay and gum disease at the gum line. Healthier gums support broader whole-body wellness by reducing chronic infection and inflammation.
Aesthetic crown lengthening requires the eye of an artist and the hands of a surgeon. Dr. Moshrefi has decades of advanced surgical and aesthetic training, and Dr. Daneshmand brings USC-trained precision and a holistic approach to every smile we design together at MD Periodontics.
