Crown Lengthening in West Hills
Sometimes a tooth needs a crown, but there isn't enough of it showing above the gumline to hold one securely. Other times, a smile looks "gummy" because the gums cover more of the teeth than they should. In both cases, crown lengthening can help. For our patients in West Hills, it often makes the difference between a restoration that fits well and one that doesn't, or between a smile you hide and one you're comfortable sharing. At 805 Dentistry, a board-certified periodontist on our team performs this procedure. That means West Hills families can get gum care, restorative work, and everyday dental visits in one practice.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of the supporting bone, so that more of the natural tooth is exposed. The tooth itself isn't made longer. Instead, more of its existing structure becomes visible and usable. This gives your dentist a solid, healthy surface to work with when placing a crown or other restoration.
The procedure is used for two main purposes. Functional crown lengthening prepares a tooth for restoration, such as when decay or a fracture extends below the gumline or when a tooth has worn down short. Cosmetic crown lengthening, closely related to the gum contouring we also offer, balances the gumline so teeth look proportionate. Many West Hills patients come to us for one reason and appreciate the benefits of the other.
You may be a good candidate if you've been told a tooth needs a crown but doesn't have enough exposed structure to support one. Common examples include a tooth that has broken off near the gums, a cavity that reaches under the gumline, or an older restoration that needs replacing where the edge now sits too deep. Patients who feel their teeth look short, or whose gumline is uneven, may also benefit.
Every candidacy decision starts with an exam. Our office provides 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT, so our team can see how the gums, bone, and tooth relate before recommending treatment. Healthy gums matter, too. If we find signs of gum disease, we may suggest treatment such as scaling and root planing first, so the procedure starts on a stable foundation.
What are the benefits of crown lengthening?
The main benefit is that it allows a tooth to be restored properly rather than removed. With more of the tooth exposed, a crown can be shaped to seal well along healthy tissue. Here's what the procedure can help with:
- Creating enough tooth structure to support a new crown or restoration
- Saving teeth that have broken or decayed near the gumline
- Making it easier to keep the area clean around restoration edges
- Evening out an irregular gumline for a more balanced smile
- Reducing the appearance of a "gummy" smile
Because our practice includes an on-site dental lab, the crown lengthening and the restoration that follows can be coordinated within the same practice. For West Hills patients, that means fewer handoffs between offices and a clearer path from treatment to finished smile.
What happens during the procedure and recovery?
The procedure is done in our office, typically with local anesthesia to numb the area. Our periodontist carefully adjusts the gum tissue and, when needed, reshapes a small amount of bone to expose the right amount of tooth. The area is then cleaned and closed so healing can begin. If you feel nervous about dental work, we have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff and offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia for patients with dental anxiety.
Aftercare focuses on letting the gums heal comfortably. We'll give you personalized instructions on cleaning around the area, what to eat in the days afterward, and how to manage tenderness. You'll return for follow-up visits so we can check healing. Once the tissue has settled, we move forward with your crown or other restoration. If anything feels off during recovery, call us. We also offer emergency dental appointments.
How can I pay for crown lengthening?
We work to make treatment manageable through several payment options. We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and because our periodontics care is filed with insurance as a Specialist, our team can help you understand how your benefits apply. Coverage varies by plan, so we'll review the details with you before treatment begins.
If you don't have dental insurance, we welcome self-pay patients, and financing is available to spread the cost over time. You don't need a referral to see our periodontist. West Hills residents can contact our Thousand Oaks office directly to schedule an evaluation. We'll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and build a plan that fits your smile and your budget.