Crown Lengthening

Crown Lengthening is a surgical procedure in which excess gum tissue and bone are removed to expose more of the teeth. A new gum line is created by contouring and shaping the gum and bone around the teeth.
Crown lengthening makes a tooth or teeth appear to be longer. It is performed for a number of reasons. It may be performed to improve the health of the gum tissue. If gum tissue does not recede normally to expose adult teeth as a person matures, pockets can form in the gum tissue and trap food and bacteria, resulting in periodontal disease.

It may also be performed to prepare for a restorative procedure.
Severe decay or a broken tooth may leave too little of the tooth remaining to successfully restore the tooth with a crown or veneer. Crown lengthening exposes more of the tooth’s surface to provide an anchor and allow for a proper seal around a restoration.

Crown lengthening may be performed for cosmetic reasons.
If someone shows too much gum tissue when they smile, they have what is known as a “gummy” smile. It can be corrected or improved with crown lengthening.