Crown Lengthening

Crown Lengthening as a Corrective or Cosmetic Measure

Crown lengthening is a form of periodontal surgery performed with the goal of getting more tooth structure for the dentist to make a proper crown. When the tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient structure for a crown, crown lengthening is necessary and prepares the patient for the restorative procedure.

A crown lengthening procedure can also improve a gummy smile in which the teeth, which are actually the proper length, appear too short because of too much gum tissue. Known as a gingivectomy or esthetic gingival recontouring (EGR), this leaves a patient with a more beautiful, aesthetic smile. This procedure reshapes the excess gum and bone tissue, adjusting their levels to expose more of your natural tooth "whether just one or several teeth" to create a more even smile and gum line.