Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that recontours the gum and the underlying bone to make the amount of tooth visible above the gumline longer.

1. Functional crown lengthening is often performed to help restore damaged or decayed tooth and to expose more of the tooth structure, allowing for better access and retention of dental restoration. In order for a filling or a crown restoration to be placed properly, adequate tooth crown height above the gumline is required. In addition, adequate distance is needed between the restoration and the underlying bone.
2. Esthetic Crown Lengthening is also performed to improve the appearance of a “gummy smile,” characterized by an excessive display of gums that cover a significant portion of the teeth. This condition can make the teeth appear shorter due to the underlying bony architecture. To achieve a more balanced and visually appealing gumline, it is necessary to recontour the gum and the underlying bone. This helps establish a more harmonious gumline resulting in an improved esthetic outcome that remains stable over time.