In some cases, periodontal procedures help lay the groundwork for restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or improve the esthetics of your gum line. If you have a "gummy" smile because your teeth appear short, it is possible that your teeth may be the right length, but are covered by excessive gum tissue. Crown lengthening corrects this condition.

Crown lengthening involves reshaping excess gum and bone tissue in order to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth, to even your gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.

Crown lengthening often makes a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. This is especially true if you have a tooth that is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored.