A crown lengthening procedure serves various purposes, including addressing a gummy smile, promoting gum health, or preparing for another dental procedure. A gummy smile occurs when teeth are overshadowed by excess gum tissue, resulting in shorter-looking teeth and a less appealing smile. This procedure involves reshaping or contouring the gum tissue and bone around the problematic tooth, establishing a new relationship between the gum and the tooth, thereby transforming the smile. Crown lengthening can be performed on a single tooth, multiple teeth, or the entire gum line.

Crown lengthening becomes necessary when a tooth requires a new crown or other restoration, and the edge to be restored is situated below the gum tissue, making it challenging to access. The procedure allows adequate access to the restoration edge, ensuring a proper fit and providing sufficient tooth structure for the new restoration, preventing future loosening. This, in turn, aids in reaching the restoration edge during brushing, reducing the risk of gum disease and general tooth decay.

Typically, crown lengthening is a relatively short procedure lasting about an hour, contingent on the number of teeth involved and the extent of bone removal required. Local anesthesia is used daily, and the process involves making small incisions around the tissue to separate the gums from the teeth. Even if performed for a single tooth, adjacent teeth may be affected to achieve more balanced reshaping, and in some cases, a minor bone extraction may be necessary.

Upon ensuring the teeth have the necessary exposure, the procedure concludes with cleaning incisions using a sterile water solution. Sutures and a bandage are applied to protect the newly established relationship between the gums and the tooth. The effects of the procedure become evident post-surgery as the gums are repositioned. A follow-up appointment after about a week is crucial for suture removal, assessing healing progress, and addressing concerns. Complete recovery typically spans one to three months after the initial crown lengthening procedure.