Cosmetic Dentistry

Crown Lengthening & Gum Contouring

Reshape a 'gummy' smile or expose more healthy tooth structure for a restoration — minimally invasive, with a real impact on how your smile looks.

Visit time60–90 min
FrequencySingle visit
AnesthesiaLocal
InsuranceSometimes covered
Hero photo · crown lengthening & gum contouring
Overview

What it actually is.

Crown lengthening removes a small amount of gum tissue — and sometimes a thin layer of bone — to expose more of the underlying tooth. It serves both cosmetic and functional purposes.

Cosmetically, it evens out a "gummy" smile or makes short-looking teeth appear properly proportioned. Functionally, it gives the dentist enough tooth structure to place a strong, predictable crown or restoration.

A small change at the gumline can rebalance an entire smile — and it's reversible if you change your mind.

What to Expect

How the visit goes.

Every patient gets the same unhurried, step-by-step process. No surprises, no fine print — you know what's happening before it happens.

01 Step 01

Smile design

We map out the new gum line on a model or photo of your smile so you can preview the change before any procedure.

02 Step 02

Local anesthesia

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia — most patients feel nothing beyond mild pressure.

03 Step 03

Reshape

Excess gum tissue is precisely removed and contoured. In some cases a small amount of bone is recontoured as well.

04 Step 04

Healing

Most patients are back to normal activities the next day. Final tissue settling takes a few weeks.

Why It Matters

What you get out of it.

The benefits aren't theoretical. Here's what changes for you in the weeks and months after treatment.

01

More balanced smile

Evens out an uneven gumline or reduces the appearance of excess gum tissue when you smile.

02

Make teeth look longer

Teeth that look short or "stubby" can appear properly proportioned with even a small adjustment.

03

Enable restorations

When a tooth has fractured at or below the gumline, lengthening exposes enough structure for a crown.

04

Quick recovery

Most patients return to normal activity the next day; the final aesthetic result takes a few weeks to settle.

Insurance & Pricing

Cosmetic — transparent pricing.

Crown lengthening is sometimes covered when medically necessary (e.g. preparing a tooth for a crown). For purely cosmetic cases, we quote a flat price in writing and accept CareCredit financing.

Questions

The things everyone asks.

Is it painful?
The procedure is done under local anesthesia and is comfortable. Mild soreness for 2–3 days afterward is normal and easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
Will my gums grow back?
When done conservatively and correctly, the new gum position is stable. There can be very minor settling in the first few weeks.
Can I see the result before I commit?
Yes. We use a wax-up, a digital simulation, or trial impressions so you can preview the new smile before treatment.
Related Services

Often paired with this.

Treatments that frequently come up alongside Crown Lengthening & Gum Contouring — explore what's relevant to your case.

Ready to begin?

Walk-ins welcome. Or call ahead for the shortest wait.

(469) 759-6964