Crown lengthening Emonds | Dr. Javadi
Crown lengthening Emonds | Dr. Javadi
You were told you need “crown lengthening” and you’re wondering if surgery is really necessary. When a tooth breaks near the gumline, decay hides under the gums, or your smile looks “too gummy,” your dentist may recommend crown lengthening to expose a healthy tooth and protect your gums long‑term.
At Orchid Periodontics and Dental Implants, Dr. Javadi specializes in precise, gentle crown lengthening, a quick outpatient procedure that helps your dental work last longer and your smile look its best.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgery that repositions the gumline and carefully reshapes a small amount of bone if needed to reveal more of your natural tooth. The goal is to create a healthy, maintainable space for a future filling or crown and to improve gumline symmetry when esthetics are the priority. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, and you go home the same day.
Benefits of Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening creates a healthier foundation for restorations and can improve your smile’s appearance. Here’s what you can expect:
- Stronger, longer‑lasting restorations: Exposing adequate tooth structure helps your crown or filling seal properly and resist future loosening or breakage.
- Healthier gums around the restoration: Margins placed above the gumline reduce irritation, bleeding, and risk of decay around the crown.
- Improved smile balance (esthetic cases). Adjusting an uneven or low gumline can make teeth look proportional without changing their natural shape.
- Long-term stability. Creating proper space for the crown helps protect bone and gum health, preventing future complications.
Do I Really Need Crown Lengthening?
Whether crown lengthening is necessary depends on your tooth, gums, and supporting bone. At Orchid Periodontics and Dental Implants, Dr. Javadi carefully reviews X-rays and your gumline to see if the procedure is the right choice.
- Decay or fracture below the gumline. If decay or a fracture extends below your gumline, a crown won’t seal properly. Crown lengthening exposes healthy tooth structure, so your restoration fits properly, preventing irritation, recurrent decay, and gum inflammation.
- Not enough tooth to hold a crown. A crown needs enough natural tooth to grip onto. If your tooth is too short (due to wear, breakage, or deep decay), lengthening creates a stable foundation so your restoration won’t loosen or fail prematurely.
- Gummy or uneven smile. Excess gum tissue can make teeth look stubby or uneven. Aesthetic crown lengthening reshapes your gumline for a balanced, natural-looking smile.
If the tooth ends up with unfavorable support (poor crown‑to‑root ratio), has a vertical root fracture, or advanced bone loss near the roots, lengthening may not improve the long‑term outlook. In those cases, we’ll discuss better‑suited alternatives.
Types of Crown Lengthening
Not every crown lengthening procedure is the same. The exact approach depends on whether the goal is functional (to support a crown or filling) or esthetic (to improve the smile). Dr. Javadi evaluates your tooth, gums, and bone levels to determine which type fits your needs.
- Soft-Tissue Crown Lengthening (Gingivectomy): Only the gum tissue is reshaped to expose more of the tooth. This option is used when there is already enough bone support and the issue is simply excess gum. It’s common for esthetic “gummy smile” cases.
- Osseous (Bone-Involved) Crown Lengthening: Both gum and a small amount of bone are adjusted. This is done when decay, fracture, or a crown margin sits too close to the bone and would otherwise irritate the tissues. It ensures healthy spacing and long-term stability.
- Esthetic Crown Lengthening: Focused on improving appearance, this approach reshapes the gumline, sometimes with bone adjustment, to create teeth that look longer and more proportional. It’s often chosen when the gums make the smile appear uneven or bulky.
By distinguishing these types, Dr. Javadi ensures that treatment is tailored to the exact problem, whether it’s restoring a damaged tooth or refining the look of your smile.
What to Expect: Visit, Procedure & Timeline
A smooth experience starts with clear steps. Here’s how Dr. Javadi’s process typically works.
- Consultation and planning: We take photos and X‑rays, discuss functional vs. esthetic goals, and outline whether soft‑tissue only or bone recontouring is needed. If you’re getting a crown, a temporary restoration may be placed to protect the tooth.
- Day of the procedure: Under local anesthesia, small incisions allow gentle reflection of the gum. Soft tissue and a small amount of bone are shaped to establish a healthy space for the future crown margin. Sutures are placed, and you go home the same day with written instructions.
- Early recovery (first 1–2 weeks): Mild soreness or sensitivity is common for a few days. Most patients resume routine activities quickly while following soft‑food and hygiene guidelines. Sutures are typically removed around the 1–2 week mark unless dissolvable.
- Final restoration timing. Tissues need time to stabilize before final impressions. As a general guide, functional/back teeth often require about 6–12 weeks; front teeth in the esthetic zone often benefit from around 3 months to ensure predictable margins and a stable gumline. Your exact timing is personalized.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery from crown lengthening is usually straightforward with a few simple steps. Dr. Javadi will give you written instructions, but in general you can expect to use mild pain relievers and cold compresses the first day to ease swelling. Stick to soft, cool foods for several days and avoid anything spicy, seedy, or alcoholic while tissues heal. Brush and floss normally in other areas, but be gentle near the surgical site and use any prescribed rinse as directed. Take it easy on strenuous activity for a couple of days, and be sure to keep your follow-up visit so we can check healing and remove sutures if needed. If you notice unusual bleeding, worsening swelling after a few days, or fever, call our office right away.
Why Choose Dr Javadi for Crown Lengthening?
Dr. Ellie Javadi, DDS, MSD, is a board-certified periodontist with advanced specialty training in periodontics and dental implants. She founded Orchid Periodontics & Dental Implants in Edmonds and has years of experience helping patients with procedures like crown lengthening. Dr. Javadi focuses on making sure the treatment is essential, planning it carefully, and guiding you through a smooth recovery for lasting results.
Find Out if Crown Lengthening Is Right for You
If you are considering crown lengthening or you’re simply unsure, Dr. Javadi at Orchid Periodontics & Dental Implants can help you make the right decision. With years of experience in gum and implant surgery, she’ll explain whether the procedure is truly needed, discuss all options, and guide you through a treatment plan that supports your long-term dental health. Call (425) 775-2002 or click here to book your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crown lengthening a good idea?
Yes, when there isn’t enough visible tooth for a crown or filling, crown lengthening can make the restoration stronger and healthier. It can also improve a “gummy” smile. The decision depends on your tooth condition, bone support, and esthetic goals.
How long does crown lengthening last?
Crown lengthening is generally permanent because gum and bone are reshaped to stable positions. Once healing is complete, the results should last as long as the tooth and restoration remain healthy. Good oral hygiene and regular dental visits are key to maintaining results.
What are the disadvantages of crown lengthening?
Possible downsides include mild sensitivity, longer-looking teeth, or small spaces between teeth after healing. In some cases, it can compromise crown-to-root support. Not every tooth is a good candidate, which is why evaluation is key.
How painful is crown lengthening?
The procedure itself is not painful because it’s done under local anesthesia. Afterward, most people experience mild soreness or sensitivity that can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses. Discomfort usually improves within a few days.
Hours of Operation
Our Regular Schedule
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- wednesday7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- FRIDAY1st & 3rd Friday of the month
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Schedule An Appointment For Periodontal Treatment For Dental Implants
The first step to improved oral health, the ability to chew better, and a natural smile is to schedule your consultation at Orchid Periodontics & Dental Implants. Dr. Javadi will guide you through the dental implant process and suggest the type of implant that best fits your needs