A fractured tooth, a cavity extending below the gumline, or a crown that just won’t stay put can feel like a ticking clock for your smile. Fortunately, crown lengthening gives our team a strategic way to “buy space” and create a healthy foundation for long-lasting restorations—without sacrificing your natural tooth. Today, discover how this precise periodontal procedure helps you reclaim function, comfort, and confidence.
Why “More Tooth” Sometimes Means Healthier Tooth
The Biological Width Explained
Your gums don’t simply drape over teeth; they secure to enamel and underlying bone in a delicate zone called the biological width (roughly 2 mm of tissue attachments). Whenever a filling, veneer, or crown edge invades this space, gums respond with chronic inflammation and bone loss. Crown lengthening re-establishes a respectful distance between the restoration margin and your bone, protecting long-term periodontal health.
Common Scenarios That Call for Crown Lengthening
| Situation | How Crown Lengthening Helps |
|---|---|
| Deep cavities that extend below the gumline | Exposes sound tooth structure so your dentist can remove decay completely and place a well-sealed restoration. |
| Fractures at or under the gumline | Reveals enough intact tooth to support a crown and prevents the need for extraction. |
| Short clinical crowns (naturally stubby teeth) | Creates adequate retention for veneers or crowns to stay secure under normal biting forces. |
| Gummy smiles | Removes excess gum tissue for a balanced, attractive tooth-to-gum ratio—often in a single visit. |
How the Procedure Works: Step-by-Step
- Personalized Assessment
We begin with a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, and measurements of pocket depths. This lets our periodontists—Dr. Godat, Dr. King, and Dr. Byakina—map out the precise amount of tissue and bone reshaping required. - Comfort Measures
Local anesthetic ensures you stay relaxed. For patients with dental anxieties, oral or IV sedation may be available after a thorough medical review. - Gum-Tissue Reshaping
A small incision allows gentle reflection of the gums. Our team uses microsurgical instruments and, when appropriate, laser technology to remove a minimal amount of gingival tissue. - Bone Contouring (When Needed)
In many restorative cases, a tiny edge of bone must be smoothed to create the correct biologic width. This is done with high-precision burs and copious irrigation. - Rinse, Reposition, & Suture
Once we’ve verified proper crown length and bone clearance, gums are returned to their new position and secured with fine sutures to promote comfortable healing. - Protective Dressing
A periodontal dressing or a temporary resin may be applied to shield the area and aid in plaque control for the first week.
The entire process typically takes 60–90 minutes for a single tooth and slightly longer for multiple teeth. You’ll leave our Memphis practice able to drive yourself home in most cases.
Healing & After-Care: What to Expect
- First 24 Hours – Mild swelling and slight oozing are normal. Apply a cold compress intermittently and stick to soft foods such as yogurt, smoothies, or scrambled eggs.
- Days 2–7 – Swelling subsides. Rinse gently with warm saltwater, keep brushing other areas as usual, and avoid smoking, which slows healing.
- One-Week Visit – We remove sutures (if non-resorbable), evaluate tissue adaptation, and review hygiene tips tailored to your new gumline.
- Four-to-Six Weeks – Gums fully mature, allowing your restorative dentist to take precise impressions or seat your final crown.
Most patients report they’re back to routine activities the next day—just avoiding vigorous exercise for 48 hours.
Key Benefits You’ll Notice
- Reliable Restorations
Crowns, fillings, and veneers last longer when seated on solid tooth and surrounded by healthy gum tissue. - Improved Oral Hygiene
By eliminating deep pockets or tissue overhangs, crown lengthening makes brushing and flossing easier, reducing future decay risk. - Tooth Preservation
Rather than extract a compromised tooth, crown lengthening often allows us to save it—maintaining your natural bite and preventing costly tooth-replacement solutions. - Enhanced Aesthetics
Whether you correct a single gummy tooth or reshape your entire smile line, balanced gums create symmetry that even a perfect crown can’t achieve alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is crown lengthening the same as a gingivectomy?
A gingivectomy removes only soft tissue, whereas crown lengthening often involves minor bone reshaping. Both create more visible tooth structure, but crown lengthening is the go-to for restorative needs.
Q: Why can’t my dentist simply place the crown deeper?
Invading the biological width triggers chronic inflammation, gum recession, and eventual crown failure. Crown lengthening is a proactive solution to avoid those complications.
Q: Will the tooth feel longer or look uneven afterward?
Our periodontal team sculpts gum contours to blend seamlessly with adjacent teeth. In multi-tooth cases, we ensure a harmonious gumline so your smile looks natural.
Q: How long before I receive my final crown?
Gums stabilize in about four to six weeks. Complex cosmetic cases may benefit from a slightly longer maturation period for precision shade matching.
Crown Lengthening vs. Extraction & Implant: A Smart Cost-Benefit
While dental implants are an excellent replacement option, keeping your natural tooth whenever feasible offers advantages:
| Factor | Crown Lengthening + Original Tooth | Extraction + Implant |
|---|---|---|
| Bone Preservation | Natural root continues to stimulate bone | Implant maintains bone but requires surgery |
| Treatment Stages | One periodontal surgery + restorative visit | Extraction, bone graft (often), implant placement, healing, crown |
| Timeline to Final Restoration | ~6–8 weeks | 4–9 months |
| Future Maintenance | Similar brushing/flossing as neighboring teeth | Requires impeccable hygiene around implant threads |
When a tooth is salvageable, crown lengthening is often the more streamlined path to full function.
How We Personalize Your Experience
At Periodontal Associates of Memphis, no two mouths—or treatment plans—are identical. We consider:
- Periodontal Health Status – Active gum disease may be addressed with scaling and root planing before lengthening.
- Smile Aesthetics – Digital photography and mock-ups help visualize tissue changes for multi-tooth cosmetic goals.
- Systemic Conditions – Diabetes control, medications, and smoking status influence healing; our periodontists collaborate with your medical providers when needed.
- Restorative Coordination – Close communication with your general dentist ensures crown margins align perfectly with your newly sculpted gumline.
Our commitment to tailored care is how we’ve become one of the best periodontists in Memphis for surgical-restorative collaboration.
Best Practices for Long-Term Success
- Attend Regular Periodontal Maintenance – Appointments every three to four months keep gums stable and plaque levels low.
- Perfect Your Home Routine – Invest in interdental brushes or a water flosser to clean the gumline thoroughly.
- Mind Your Bite – If you clench or grind, a nightguard shields both the natural tooth and the new crown.
- Limit Sugary Snacks & Acidic Drinks – Nutrient-dense foods support gum healing and minimize decay.
- Quit Tobacco – Smoking slows tissue repair and increases implant and gum-disease complications.
Following these guidelines helps your crown—and your smile—perform beautifully for years.
Ready to Rescue That Damaged Tooth?
If your dentist has mentioned a restoration that sits too deep under the gums, or you’re tired of a retainer or crown that keeps failing, crown lengthening may be the smart, tooth-saving answer. Contact our Memphis periodontal team today to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll map out a precise plan to expose healthy tooth structure, protect your gums, and restore confident function.