Crown Lengthening in Woodland Hills
A cracked tooth or a deep cavity can sometimes be repaired with a crown, but only if there's enough healthy tooth above the gumline to hold it. When there isn't, or when your gums cover more of your teeth than you'd like when you smile, crown lengthening can give your dentist the room needed to restore the tooth properly. For patients in Woodland Hills, our team at 805 Dentistry in Thousand Oaks handles this procedure from planning through the final restoration, so you aren't sent between several offices to get it done.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum tissue, and sometimes the underlying bone, to expose more of a tooth's surface. The word "crown" refers to the part of the tooth you can see, not only the cap we place over it. By carefully adjusting the tissue around the tooth, we create a stable foundation for a restoration or a more balanced gumline.
We perform crown lengthening for both functional and cosmetic reasons. On the functional side, a tooth that has broken off near the gums, decay that extends below the gumline, or an old restoration that needs replacing can all leave too little tooth structure to work with. On the cosmetic side, some patients have what's often called a "gummy smile," where teeth look short because the gums sit lower than usual. In both cases, the goal is a healthy gumline that supports your teeth and your restorations.
Many of our Woodland Hills patients appreciate that crown lengthening often fits into a larger treatment plan we can manage under one roof. We have a board-certified periodontist on staff, and our office also includes an on-site dental lab. Dr. Dar Radfar and our team can coordinate the gum procedure with the crown, filling, or cosmetic work that follows.
That coordination matters in practical ways. Here's what keeping your care in one office can mean for you:
- One team planning your gum procedure and your final restoration together
- Periodontal care from a board-certified specialist, with no referral required
- An on-site dental lab supporting your restorative work
- Sedation options, including nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia, through a board-certified dental anesthesiologist
- Related services such as gum contouring, laser dentistry, and crowns available in the same practice
Because we see children and adults of all ages and describe ourselves as a one-stop shop for the whole family, it's common for one household member to come in for crown lengthening while others schedule cleanings or exams.
Am I a good candidate for crown lengthening?
You may be a good candidate if a tooth needs a restoration but doesn't have enough exposed structure to support it, or if excess gum tissue affects the look of your smile. The only way to know for sure is a thorough evaluation.
At your first visit, we'll examine the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue and take imaging so we can see what's happening below the gumline. Our practice offers 2D and 3D dental imaging, including CBCT, which helps us understand the relationship between your gums, bone, and tooth roots. We'll also check your overall gum health, because active gum disease needs attention before cosmetic or restorative work moves forward.
If crown lengthening isn't the right fit, we'll talk through other options. Depending on your situation, that might include gum contouring, a gingivectomy, or a different restorative approach.
What happens during the procedure, and what is recovery like?
The procedure involves numbing the area and then reshaping the gum tissue, and bone if needed, to expose more of the tooth. How much reshaping is required depends on whether we're treating a single tooth or several, and on your specific goals.
If you feel nervous about dental treatment, tell us. We offer anesthesia for patients with dental anxiety, and we'll discuss which option suits you before your appointment. After the procedure, we'll give you detailed aftercare instructions covering eating, cleaning the area gently, and managing comfort while your gums heal. We'll also schedule follow-up visits to check your healing. Once the tissue has settled, we move ahead with your crown or other restoration.
How can I pay for crown lengthening?
We accept all major PPO insurance plans, and our periodontics services are filed with insurance as a specialist. If you don't have dental insurance, we welcome self-pay patients.
We also offer financing, which can help if crown lengthening is one step in a larger plan that includes a crown or other restorative work. During your consultation, our team will go over your treatment plan, explain what your insurance may cover, and help you understand your payment options before anything begins.
If you're in Woodland Hills and have been told a tooth needs more support for a crown, or you're curious about evening out your gumline, contact 805 Dentistry to schedule an evaluation.