Crown Lengthening in Agoura Hills
A tooth can be perfectly healthy at its root and still be hard to repair. Sometimes a break, a deep cavity, or a short tooth leaves too little visible structure above the gumline for a crown or filling to hold securely. Other times, extra gum tissue makes a smile look "gummy" or uneven. For patients in Agoura Hills and throughout our surrounding communities, we offer crown lengthening at 805 Dentistry in Thousand Oaks. It is a focused procedure that gives your dentist more tooth to work with and can help bring balance to how your smile looks.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum tissue, and in some cases the supporting bone, so that more of the natural tooth is exposed. The "crown" here refers to the part of the tooth you can see. The goal is not to change the tooth itself but to adjust what surrounds it. That way a restoration can be placed on solid, healthy structure, or the gumline can sit at a more natural-looking height.
At our office, crown-lengthening procedures are part of our periodontics services, and our team includes a board-certified periodontist. Because we also provide general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry under one roof, the planning for your gums and the planning for your crown happen in the same place. For Agoura Hills families who would rather not coordinate care between several offices, that continuity makes the whole process simpler.
Crown lengthening serves two main purposes: restorative and cosmetic. On the restorative side, it often helps when a tooth has fractured near or below the gumline. It also helps when decay extends deep under the gums, or when an old restoration needs replacing and too little tooth remains to support a new crown, bridge, or filling. Exposing more healthy structure gives the restoration a better foundation.
On the cosmetic side, some patients feel their teeth look short or that their gums show too much when they smile. In these cases, crown lengthening works alongside our gum contouring and smile makeover services to create a more even, proportional gumline. Either way, we begin with an exam and imaging to see whether crown lengthening is the right fit, or whether another approach would serve you better.
What happens during the crown lengthening procedure?
The procedure gently repositions gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of bone, around the tooth or teeth being treated. It is performed in our office after the area is comfortably numbed. Before treatment, we review your imaging and explain exactly which teeth are involved and why. Many patients appreciate that we can take 2D and 3D images, including CBCT, right here.
Here is what you can generally expect:
- A consultation and exam to confirm crown lengthening is appropriate
- Imaging to evaluate the tooth, gums, and supporting bone
- A clear treatment plan connecting the procedure to your future crown or cosmetic goals
- The procedure itself, with sedation options available if you feel anxious
- A healing period before any final restoration is placed
If dental visits make you nervous, you are not alone. We have a board-certified dental anesthesiologist on staff and offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Together we can decide what level of comfort support makes sense for you.
How do I care for my gums afterward?
Aftercare focuses on keeping the area clean and protected while your gums heal, and we give you personalized instructions before you leave. Because every case is different, your guidance may vary depending on how many teeth were treated and whether bone was reshaped. Following those instructions closely is the best way to support healing.
We will also schedule follow-up visits to check your progress. Once the tissue has settled, we move forward with the next step, such as preparing your crown. Our on-site dental lab helps keep that restorative phase coordinated within our practice. Ongoing cleanings and periodontal maintenance then help protect both your gums and your new restoration over time.
Will insurance cover crown lengthening, and is financing available?
Many patients can use insurance toward crown lengthening, and we accept all major PPO insurance plans. Our periodontics services are filed with insurance as specialist care, and our team can help you understand how your plan applies before treatment begins.
If you do not have insurance, we welcome self-pay patients. We also offer financing to help spread the cost of care into manageable payments. You do not need a referral to see our periodontist, so Agoura Hills patients can contact us directly to schedule a consultation. We will look at your situation, answer your questions, and help you decide on the next step with confidence.