Crown LengtheningIn Shelton
At Waypoint Periodontics, our team performs crown lengthening with careful attention to the surrounding tissue and bone.
Making necessary treatment possible
What is crown lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure in which the gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of underlying bone, is repositioned to expose more of the tooth's surface. It is performed for two distinct purposes: functional and esthetic. Functional crown lengthening is done when a tooth needs a crown or other restoration but there is not enough tooth structure above the gumline for the restoration to properly attach, often because a tooth has broken down significantly due to decay or fracture. Esthetic crown lengthening, sometimes called a gum lift, is performed when a patient has a gummy smile or an uneven gumline that they would like to improve. At Waypoint Periodontics, crown lengthening is performed as a referral-based procedure for patients sent by their general dentists, as well as for patients seeking esthetic improvement to their smile. While functional crown lengthening requires the removal of healthy tissue — something our team is always mindful of — every case is approached with the same precision and care that defines all of our surgical work. When the procedure is clinically indicated, we ensure it is done thoughtfully and correctly, with the patient's long-term outcome always in view.
A more balanced smile starts here
Crown lengthening serves both the health of your mouth and the appearance of your smile, depending on the reason for the procedure. Whether it is enabling your restorative dentist to complete necessary dental work or giving you a gumline you feel good about, the benefits of a well-executed crown lengthening are meaningful and lasting.
Enables critical restorative work
When a tooth has insufficient structure above the gumline for a crown or other restoration to fit properly, crown lengthening creates the necessary access. Without it, your restorative dentist may not be able to place a crown that fits correctly, functions well, or holds up over time.
Improves the appearance of a gummy smile
For patients who feel that their teeth look short or that too much gum shows when they smile, esthetic crown lengthening can reshape the gumline to create better proportion and symmetry. The result is a more balanced, natural-looking smile that many patients find genuinely transformative.
Supports better long-term oral hygiene
A properly contoured gumline is easier to clean effectively and reduces the likelihood of bacteria accumulating in hard-to-reach areas. Crown lengthening that creates a healthy gingival architecture contributes to better oral hygiene outcomes in the long run.
Functional crown lengthening
Functional crown lengthening is performed when a tooth that needs a crown or other restoration does not have enough visible tooth structure above the gumline for the restoration to be properly placed. This can happen when a tooth has broken at or near the gumline, or when decay has extended below the gum margin. By gently removing a small amount of gum tissue and, when necessary, the supporting bone, we expose enough of the tooth to give your restorative dentist a solid foundation to work with. The procedure is typically coordinated between our team and your general dentist or prosthodontist to make sure the amount of tooth exposed meets the specific requirements of the planned restoration. We perform functional crown lengthening carefully and with full respect for the tissue being managed, because even when removing healthy tissue is clinically necessary, it deserves to be done with precision and intention.
Esthetic crown lengthening (gum lift)
Esthetic crown lengthening, often referred to as a gum lift or gum contouring, is performed to improve the appearance of a smile where excess gum tissue makes the teeth look shorter than they are, or where the gumline is uneven across the smile. During the procedure, our team carefully removes and repositions the gum tissue to reveal more of each tooth's natural crown and create a more symmetrical, proportionate gumline. The level of artistry involved in esthetic crown lengthening is significant, as the final result depends on precise tissue removal and contouring that looks natural and complements the individual patient's smile. Our background in esthetic soft tissue surgery, combined with a careful attention to detail and biology-driven approach, makes Waypoint Periodontics well-suited for this type of work. Many patients who have lived with a gummy smile for years are genuinely surprised by how much of a difference the procedure makes.
The crown lengthening process
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Frequently asked questions
Find clear answers to the questions we hear most often about crown lengthening below.
Crown lengthening and gum grafting are essentially opposite procedures in terms of what they accomplish. Crown lengthening removes or repositions gum tissue to expose more of the tooth surface, while gum grafting adds tissue to cover areas where the gums have receded. Crown lengthening is used when there is excess gum tissue, either for esthetic reasons or to expose enough tooth structure for a restoration. Gum grafting is used when recession has left roots exposed and vulnerable. Our team performs both, and the right procedure depends entirely on what your specific situation calls for, which she will assess carefully at your consultation.
Once crown lengthening has been performed and the tissue has healed, the gumline generally remains stable. In some cases, particularly when only soft tissue is removed without any bone recontouring, there is a possibility that the gum tissue may partially rebound over time. Our team takes this into account during the planning and execution of the procedure to help ensure that the result is durable and that any risk of relapse is minimized. We will discuss what to expect for your specific case during your consultation.
Most patients experience mild to moderate tenderness and swelling for the first few days to one week following crown lengthening, with full soft tissue healing typically occurring within four to six weeks. If the procedure involves bone recontouring, the complete healing process may take longer, and a waiting period of several weeks to a few months may be required before restorative work can proceed. We will give you a clear recovery timeline based on your specific case, along with detailed post-operative instructions to help keep you comfortable and support the best possible healing outcome.
Still Have Questions?
We are happy to talk through anything that is on your mind. Give us a call to get more information or to schedule your consultation.