Crown Lengthening & Gingivectomy

The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you won't feel pain during treatment. Most patients describe the days after as mild soreness rather than pain — manageable with over-the-counter medication. Laser-assisted techniques also mean less bleeding and swelling than traditional surgery with a scalpel.

Gum tissue typically heals within one to two weeks, though the final gumline settles over a few months. If bone was reshaped, healing takes a bit longer. We'll see you for a follow-up to make sure everything is healing exactly as planned — and to time any crowns or veneers that come next.

When the procedure is planned correctly — with the right amount of tissue and bone removed based on measurements, not guesswork — regrowth is uncommon. That's why the diagnostic mapping step matters: removing too little is the main reason gums creep back.

Sometimes — and it's one of the most common reasons patients come to us. A crown or veneer needs enough healthy tooth structure to hold onto. If decay or fracture extends below the gumline, or if the teeth are too short for an aesthetic result, lengthening first gives the restoration a stable foundation and a natural-looking result.

It depends on the reason. When it's medically necessary — for example, to expose decayed tooth structure so a crown can be placed — insurance often contributes. When it's purely cosmetic, plans typically don't cover it. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know exactly where you stand.