Crown Lengthening in Calabasas
When a tooth breaks near the gumline, or decay reaches below it, there may not be enough exposed tooth for a crown or filling to hold securely. Crown lengthening solves this by carefully reshaping gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of underlying bone, so more of the natural tooth is available to work with. At 805 Dentistry, our Thousand Oaks office performs this procedure for patients throughout the region, including many families from Calabasas. A board-certified periodontist on our team handles it in the same practice where your restoration is planned and completed.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that adjusts the gumline around one or more teeth. Most often, it prepares a tooth for a new crown, filling, or other restoration. A restoration needs healthy tooth structure above the gums to grip. When that structure is too short, too damaged, or hidden beneath the tissue, the restoration may not seal well or stay secure. Exposing more of the tooth gives your dentist a sound foundation to build on.
The same technique can also be used cosmetically. Some people feel their teeth look short or their smile shows more gum than they would like. In those cases, reshaping the gumline can create a more balanced appearance. We also offer related treatments, including gum contouring, gingivectomy, and laser dentistry. That lets us discuss which approach best fits your goals rather than steering you toward a single option.
Calabasas patients often ask whether they need a referral or a separate specialist's office. You don't. Our periodontics team accepts patients without a referral, and our board-certified periodontist performs crown-lengthening procedures right here. Your periodontal treatment, your restoration, and your follow-up care are coordinated within one practice. That means fewer handoffs and fewer appointments in different locations.
We describe 805 Dentistry as a one-stop shop for the whole family's dental care, and crown lengthening shows why that matters. Our office includes an on-site dental lab, which supports the crowns and restorations that often follow this procedure. Dr. Dar Radfar and our team can plan the full sequence from the start, so the gumline is shaped with the final restoration in mind.
Who is a good candidate for crown lengthening?
Good candidates are patients who need more visible tooth structure for a restoration to succeed, or who want to improve a gummy smile. The right answer always comes from an exam and imaging. Common situations 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, with too little tooth left above the tissue
- Teeth that appear short because of excess gum coverage
- An uneven gumline that affects the look of your smile
To evaluate your situation, we can use 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT imaging, interpreted with support from a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist on staff. This gives us a clear view of the tooth, root, and surrounding bone before we recommend anything. If crown lengthening isn't the best fit, we'll explain the alternatives available within our practice.
What happens during the procedure, and what is recovery like?
The procedure is performed in our office with local anesthetic, and many patients find it more comfortable than they expected. Our periodontist gently repositions the gum tissue around the treatment area. When needed, a small amount of bone is reshaped so the gums can heal at a healthier, more stable level. The tissue is then secured so healing can begin.
If dental visits make you anxious, ask about sedation. Our practice has a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff and offers nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Our team will review which option suits your health history and comfort level.
During recovery, you'll receive specific aftercare instructions for your case. These typically cover gentle cleaning around the area, food choices while the tissue heals, and when to return for follow-up. The gums need time to settle before a final restoration is placed, so we'll schedule your crown or other treatment accordingly. If you have questions while healing, our team is a phone call away.
How can I pay for crown lengthening?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, welcome self-pay patients, and offer financing. Because crown lengthening is often part of restoring a damaged tooth, your plan may treat it differently than a purely cosmetic procedure. Our team can help you understand your benefits before treatment begins.
Our periodontics services file insurance claims as a specialist. We'll walk you through what to expect and review your options so cost doesn't stand in the way of saving a tooth. If you live in Calabasas and have been told a tooth needs more structure before it can be restored, contact 805 Dentistry to schedule a consultation.