Crown Lengthening in Westlake Village
When a tooth breaks off near the gumline, or decay reaches below the gums, there often isn't enough healthy tooth showing above the gums to hold a new crown securely. Other times, a tooth is perfectly healthy but looks short because gum tissue covers more of it than it should. In both situations, crown lengthening can make the difference. For patients in Westlake Village, our office in Thousand Oaks offers this procedure with a board-certified periodontist on staff, as part of the comprehensive family care we provide.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of the underlying bone, so more of the natural tooth is exposed. The goal is to create enough sound tooth structure above the gumline to support a restoration, or to improve the balance between your teeth and gums.
We recommend it for two main reasons. The first is restorative. A crown, filling, or bridge needs healthy tooth to grip, and when a fracture or cavity extends below the gums, the restoration may not seal properly. The second is cosmetic. Some people have what's often called a "gummy smile," where the teeth look small or uneven. In those cases, crown lengthening works alongside treatments like gum contouring to create a more even smile line.
Many of the Westlake Village patients we see for crown lengthening are already planning a crown, bridge, or other restoration. Because our practice brings general dentistry, periodontics, and restorative care together under one roof, your treatment can be planned as a single coordinated process instead of being split between several offices.
Our on-site dental lab supports that coordination. After your gums heal, we can move forward with your final restoration while staying closely involved in fit and appearance. We also accept periodontal patients without a referral, so if you've been told you might need crown lengthening, you're welcome to contact us directly for an evaluation.
Am I a good candidate for crown lengthening?
You may be a good candidate if you have a tooth that needs a restoration but doesn't have enough exposed structure to support one, or if excess gum tissue makes your teeth look short. The only way to know for sure is a thorough exam, which we'll schedule before recommending treatment.
During your visit, we evaluate the health of your gums, the position of the bone around the tooth, and how the tooth fits into your bite and smile. Our office provides 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT, which helps us see the structures beneath the gums. Situations where crown lengthening is often considered include:
- A tooth that has broken off at or below the gumline
- Decay that extends beneath the gums
- An older crown or filling that needs replacing but has little tooth left to hold onto
- Teeth that appear short or uneven because of excess gum tissue
If your gums show signs of active gum disease, we may recommend treating that first, such as with scaling and root planing, so the area is healthy before surgery.
What happens during the procedure, and is it painful?
Crown lengthening is performed with the area fully numbed, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain during treatment. Our periodontist carefully removes or reshapes gum tissue, and when needed, a small amount of bone, to expose the right amount of tooth.
For patients who feel anxious about dental care, our practice has a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff. Depending on your needs, options may include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. We'll talk through these choices with you ahead of time so you know exactly what to expect on the day of your appointment.
How should I care for my gums afterward?
After crown lengthening, your main job is to protect the area while it heals and follow the specific instructions we give you. Some tenderness and mild swelling are common in the first few days, and we'll go over how to manage comfort at home.
In general, we'll ask you to eat soft foods, avoid chewing directly on the treated area, and clean gently around it as directed. We'll also schedule follow-up visits to check your healing. Once the gums have settled, we can move ahead with your final crown or other restoration.
How can I pay for crown lengthening?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our periodontal services are filed with insurance as specialist care. Our team can help you understand your coverage before treatment begins so there are fewer surprises.
If you don't have dental insurance, we welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available to help spread out the cost. Whether you live in Westlake Village or a neighboring community, we're happy to review your options and help you plan the next step toward a healthy, restored smile.