Crown Lengthening in Simi Valley
A tooth that breaks near the gumline, a crown that will not stay put, or a smile that shows more gum than you would like can all make everyday moments harder, from chewing comfortably to feeling at ease in photos. Crown lengthening is often the step that makes a lasting repair or a balanced smile possible. At 805 Dentistry, our family, general, and cosmetic practice in Thousand Oaks, we welcome patients from Simi Valley who want this care handled thoughtfully and under one roof.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum tissue, and sometimes the supporting bone, so that more of a tooth's surface is exposed. Your teeth may be healthy and strong, but if too little tooth sits above the gums, a crown or filling may have nothing secure to hold onto. Gently adjusting the tissue around the tooth creates the room needed for a dependable restoration.
At our office, a board-certified periodontist on our team performs crown-lengthening procedures. That matters because the gums and bone around your teeth are a periodontist's area of focus. Simi Valley patients can also come to us without a referral, so you do not need to visit another office first before scheduling a consultation.
Patients come to us for crown lengthening for several different reasons, and understanding yours helps us plan care that fits. Some of the most common situations we see include:
- A tooth broken at or below the gumline, leaving too little structure for a crown
- Decay that extends under the gums, which needs to be reached before it can be restored
- Short teeth that cannot securely hold a crown or bridge, even when the tooth itself is sound
- A "gummy" smile, where extra gum tissue makes teeth look short or uneven
For restorative cases, crown lengthening is usually one part of a larger plan. Because we also provide crowns, bridges, and other restorative dentistry, and we have an on-site dental lab, we can coordinate the gum procedure and your final restoration as one connected treatment rather than sending you between offices. For cosmetic concerns, crown lengthening sits alongside services such as gum contouring and porcelain veneers. This lets us talk through which approach best suits the look you have in mind.
Am I a good candidate for crown lengthening?
You may be a good candidate if a tooth needs a restoration but lacks enough exposed structure, or if excess gum tissue affects the appearance of your smile. The only way to know for certain is an examination, where we look closely at your gums, your bite, and the tooth in question.
During your visit, we may use our 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT imaging when appropriate, to evaluate the bone and roots beneath the gums. This helps us understand whether crown lengthening is the right choice or whether another option, such as a different restoration or a tooth replacement like a dental implant, would serve you better. We will walk you through what we find and answer your questions before anything is scheduled.
What happens during the procedure, and is it uncomfortable?
Crown lengthening is performed in our office, and the area is numbed so you can stay comfortable throughout. Our periodontist carefully reshapes the gum tissue, and if needed the surrounding bone, to expose the right amount of tooth. The specific steps depend on how many teeth are involved and whether the goal is restorative, cosmetic, or both.
If dental visits make you anxious, you are not alone, and we have options to help. A board-certified dental anesthesiologist is on our staff, and we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. We will talk with you about which level of comfort support makes sense for your procedure and your needs.
How do I care for my gums afterward?
After crown lengthening, your gums need time to heal before a final restoration is placed. We will give you clear, personalized aftercare instructions covering eating, cleaning the area gently, and managing any tenderness, and we will schedule follow-up visits to check your progress.
Once the tissue has settled, we move forward with the next phase of your plan, such as a crown or other restoration. Ongoing care through regular cleanings and, when appropriate, periodontal maintenance helps keep your gums healthy over the long term. If anything unexpected comes up during healing, our team offers emergency dental appointments, so Simi Valley patients have someone to call.
How can I pay for crown lengthening?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and because our periodontics care is billed as specialist treatment, we will help you understand how your plan applies before you begin. We are happy to review your benefits with you during your consultation.
We also welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available for those who would like to spread out the cost of care. If you live in Simi Valley and want to find out whether crown lengthening is right for you, reach out to 805 Dentistry to schedule a visit. Our team will take the time to explain your options clearly.