Crown Lengthening in Newbury Park
If a dentist has told you a tooth doesn't have enough structure left above the gumline to hold a crown, or if your smile shows more gum than you'd like, you may be wondering what comes next. For many patients in Newbury Park, the answer is crown lengthening, a precise gum and tooth-reshaping procedure that we perform in our Thousand Oaks office. Our team includes a board-certified periodontist, so you can receive this specialized care from the same practice that already looks after your family's checkups, cleanings, and restorations.
Crown lengthening exposes more of a tooth's natural surface by carefully reshaping the gum tissue and, when needed, the supporting bone. A dentist may recommend it when a tooth has broken off near the gumline or has decay that extends below the gums. In these cases, there isn't enough exposed tooth for a new crown or filling to grip securely. Crown lengthening creates that room, which can help a restoration fit properly and stay sealed.
The procedure is also used for cosmetic reasons. Some patients have teeth that look short because gum tissue covers more of the tooth than usual, sometimes called a "gummy smile." Here, crown lengthening works alongside our cosmetic gum contouring services to create a more balanced gumline. Whether your goal is to save a damaged tooth or refine the look of your smile, we tailor the plan to your specific needs.
Your first visit begins with a thorough exam and imaging. We offer 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT imaging, which lets us see the relationship between your gums, bone, and tooth roots in detail. This information helps our periodontist determine how much tissue needs to be reshaped and whether bone adjustment is part of the plan.
We'll also talk through the bigger picture. Crown lengthening is often one step in a larger treatment plan, typically followed by a crown, bridge, or other restoration. Because we provide restorative dentistry, periodontics, and an on-site dental lab under one roof, we can coordinate each stage with fewer handoffs between offices. Newbury Park patients don't need a referral to see our periodontist. You can contact us directly to schedule a consultation.
Who is a good candidate for crown lengthening?
Good candidates are generally patients who need more exposed tooth structure for a restoration or who want to improve an uneven or gummy smile. Common situations include:
- A tooth that has fractured at or below the gumline
- Decay extending beneath the gums that needs to be restored
- A crown or filling that needs replacing but has too little tooth to anchor to
- Teeth that appear short because of excess gum tissue
- An uneven gumline that affects the symmetry of your smile
During your consultation, we'll evaluate your gum health, bone support, and overall oral condition. If you have active gum disease, we may recommend treating it first with services such as scaling and root planing so the tissue is healthy before surgery. Our goal is to recommend crown lengthening only when it is the right fit for you.
What happens during the procedure, and is it uncomfortable?
We perform crown lengthening with the area fully numbed, so you should feel pressure rather than pain during treatment. Our periodontist gently reshapes the gum tissue and, if needed, recontours a small amount of bone to expose the right amount of tooth. The length of the visit depends on how many teeth are involved.
If dental visits make you anxious, you have options. We offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia, and a board-certified dental anesthesiologist is part of our team. Many Newbury Park patients find that knowing these options are available makes it much easier to move forward with care they've been putting off.
What should I expect during recovery?
Most patients can expect some tenderness and mild swelling for a short time after treatment. We'll give you clear aftercare instructions, which typically cover keeping the area clean, choosing softer foods while the tissue heals, and managing discomfort.
We'll schedule follow-up visits to check your healing. Once the gums have settled, we'll move on to your final restoration, often fabricated with the help of our on-site dental lab. If anything feels unusual while you're healing, call us. We also offer emergency dental appointments for concerns that can't wait.
How can I pay for crown lengthening?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and welcome self-pay patients. Our periodontics services are filed with insurance as specialist care, and our team will help you understand how your plan applies before treatment begins.
For patients who want to spread out the cost, financing is available. We'll walk through your options during your consultation so you can make a decision that works for your budget. If you live in Newbury Park and have been told you need crown lengthening, or you're simply curious whether it could help, we'd be glad to meet you and talk through your options.