Gum care
Crown lengthening
Crown lengthening reshapes the gum, and sometimes a little bone, so that enough healthy tooth shows above the gum for your dentist to place a crown or a filling. It is also used when a tooth has broken at the gumline.
Your dentist usually asks for it, and we send a note back when it is done. It affects one tooth or several, and it is planned with your dentist first.
Who it is for
A tooth broken at the gumline
Too little tooth above the gum for a crown
A dentist's request before restorative work
What happens
Plan on one visit with us and one check afterward.
- 01
Step 1: Your dentist's note
We read it with the X-rays and talk through what your dentist needs.
- 02
Step 2: The visit
The area is numbed. Plan on about an hour for one to a few teeth.
- 03
Step 3: Healing
The gum needs a few weeks to settle before your dentist finishes the work. We check it first.
- 04
Step 4: Back to your dentist
We send a note, and your dentist places the crown or filling.
A temporary crown from your dentist usually stays in place meanwhile.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
The area is numbed with a local anesthetic. Most people feel pressure during the visit and some soreness for a few days. We stop whenever you ask.
If you wait
A tooth with too little above the gum can be hard to restore well. If you wait, the tooth may break further. There are options, including taking the tooth out, and Dr. Wade goes through them with you and your dentist.
Risks and after-care
Gums can swell and bleed a little, teeth can feel more sensitive, and the tooth can look longer once the gum settles. We tell you how to care for the area, and to call us for swelling that grows or bleeding that won't stop.
How it's billed
Plans cover this in different ways. We file the claim and give you a written estimate first; your dentist's office bills the crown or filling.
How fees work
Questions about crown lengthening
Is crown lengthening a cosmetic procedure?
It can change how a tooth looks, but its purpose here is to let your dentist restore a tooth that couldn't otherwise be restored.
How long before my dentist can finish?
Usually a few weeks. We tell your dentist when the gum has settled.
Do I need to go through my dentist?
Usually the request comes from them, but you can book with us first. We'll talk with your dentist with your permission.
Provided by a periodontist
Dr. Etta Wade, DDS, licensed in Missouri. The practice is limited to periodontics.