Services
Crown Lengthening
Our board-certified periodontist gently reshapes gum and bone to reveal more tooth for restorations or a balanced smile.
Why choose us
Benefits of Crown Lengthening
Saves More Teeth
Exposing more healthy tooth structure can give us what we need to restore a tooth with a crown or filling instead of removing it.
Better-Fitting Restorations
With more tooth available, we can place crowns and bridges that fit securely and seal well.
Balanced, Even Smile
Reshaping the gumline can reduce a gummy look and help your teeth appear more proportional.
Specialist-Level Care
Our board-certified periodontist performs crown lengthening right here in our office, and no referral is needed.
Comfort Options Available
If you feel anxious about treatment, we offer sedation options, including nitrous, oral, and IV sedation.
If your dentist has told you a tooth needs a crown but there isn't quite enough tooth showing above the gums to hold one, or if your smile shows more gum than you would like, you may be hearing the term crown lengthening for the first time. At 805 Dentistry in Thousand Oaks, our board-certified periodontist performs this procedure in the same office where we provide your crowns, cleanings, and everyday care. You can move from diagnosis to restoration without bouncing between practices.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum tissue, and sometimes the underlying bone, so more of a tooth's natural structure is exposed. The word "crown" refers to the part of the tooth visible above the gumline. When that visible portion is too short, the procedure gives your dentist more surface to work with, or gives your smile a more balanced look.
The procedure most often comes up for restorative reasons. A tooth may have broken off near or below the gumline. Decay may have reached under the gums. Or an older filling or crown may have failed in a spot that is hard to reach. In each case, a new crown needs a healthy band of tooth structure to grip, and crown lengthening creates that space. Other patients come to us for cosmetic reasons, such as teeth that look short or a "gummy" smile. Because we also offer cosmetic gum contouring, our periodontist can help determine which approach fits your goals.
Good candidates generally have a tooth worth saving and healthy enough gums to heal well. During your evaluation, our team looks at the tooth itself, the surrounding gums, and how the procedure would fit with the rest of your treatment plan. Since we offer 2D and 3D imaging, including CBCT, we can look closely at the tooth and bone before recommending anything.
Crown lengthening is not always the right answer. Sometimes a tooth is too damaged to restore predictably, and our team will talk with you openly about alternatives such as extraction followed by a dental implant or bridge. Common situations we evaluate include:
- A tooth that has fractured at or below the gumline
- Decay that extends beneath the gum tissue
- A failing crown or filling that needs replacement with more support
- Short-looking teeth or excess gum display when smiling
- Uneven gumlines across the front teeth
Who performs the procedure, and do I need a referral?
The procedure is performed by our board-certified periodontist, a specialist in the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Our periodontics office accepts patients without a referral, so you can contact us directly whether your general dentist recommended the procedure or you are exploring options on your own.
Keeping specialty care under one roof makes a practical difference. Our periodontist can coordinate closely with Dr. Dar Radfar and our restorative team, and our on-site dental lab supports the crowns that often follow. Patients from Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and nearby communities appreciate keeping their care in one familiar place.
Will I be comfortable during crown lengthening?
Yes, we take comfort seriously, and you have options. A board-certified dental anesthesiologist is on our staff, and we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia depending on your needs and health history.
If dental visits make you anxious, please tell us when you schedule. We would much rather plan ahead for your comfort than have you put off a procedure that protects your tooth. We will review which sedation choices make sense for you and what preparation each one involves.
What is recovery like, and when can I get my crown?
Recovery involves letting the gums heal and settle before your final restoration is placed. Our team will give you aftercare instructions tailored to your procedure, covering eating, cleaning the area gently, and managing any tenderness.
How long you wait before the final crown depends on your individual healing and the extent of the treatment, so we will set that timeline with you rather than guess. Follow-up visits let our periodontist check the tissue. Once it is ready, our restorative team moves ahead with your crown, which our on-site lab helps support. Keeping up with cleanings and periodontal maintenance afterward helps protect both the gums and the new restoration.
How can I pay for crown lengthening?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our periodontics office files claims as a specialist. Our team can help you understand how your benefits may apply before treatment begins. We also welcome self-pay patients.
If you want to spread out the cost, financing is available. Since crown lengthening is often one step in a larger plan that includes a crown, we can review the full picture with you so there are fewer surprises along the way.
If you have been told a tooth needs more support for a crown, or you simply want to know whether crown lengthening could help, we would be glad to see you. Reach out to our Thousand Oaks office to schedule a visit, and let our team help you find the path that protects your tooth and your smile.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Consultation and Imaging
We examine your gums and teeth, take any images we need, and explain whether crown lengthening fits your goals.
- 2
Gentle Gum Reshaping
Our periodontist carefully adjusts the gum tissue, and bone if needed, to expose more of the tooth.
- 3
Healing and Restoration
After your gums heal, we follow up and move forward with your crown or other planned restoration.