Crown Lengthening in Flat Rock
Sometimes a tooth needs a crown, but there isn't enough tooth showing above the gumline to hold one securely. Other times, a smile looks "short" or uneven because gum tissue covers more of the teeth than it should. Crown lengthening solves both situations by carefully reshaping gum tissue — and sometimes a small amount of bone — so more of the natural tooth is exposed. For our neighbors in Flat Rock, it's a procedure we handle right here at our Woodhaven office, often as one step in a larger restorative or cosmetic plan.
Crown lengthening is a minor oral surgery procedure that adjusts the level of your gums (and when necessary, the underlying bone) around one tooth or several. The goal is to create enough healthy, stable tooth structure above the gumline for a restoration to grip properly, or to reveal more tooth for a balanced, even appearance.
We see two common reasons Flat Rock patients need it. The first is functional: a tooth has broken near the gumline, has decay that extends below it, or simply doesn't have enough height left for a crown to hold. Without crown lengthening, a crown placed on that tooth may not seal or stay put. The second reason is cosmetic: a "gummy smile," where teeth look short because excess tissue covers them. In those cases, crown lengthening and gum contouring can reshape the gumline so your teeth look proportionate. Because we also provide crowns, bridges, veneers, composite bonding, and implants in our office, crown lengthening rarely happens in isolation — it's usually planned alongside the restoration that follows it.
Good candidates are typically patients with a tooth that fractured at or below the gumline, deep decay beneath the gum, an old restoration that needs replacing with little tooth remaining, or uneven gum levels that affect how the smile looks. Healthy gums matter here. If gum disease is present, we usually address that first with scaling and root planing, gum disease treatment, or periodontal maintenance so the tissue heals predictably.
The best way to find out is a conversation and an exam. We offer a complimentary consultation, which gives Flat Rock patients a chance to have the tooth evaluated, see X-rays, hear what the procedure involves, and understand the plan from start to finish before committing to anything. If crown lengthening isn't the right answer, we'll tell you what is — that might be extraction and tooth replacement, bone grafting, gum grafting, or a different restorative approach.
What the Procedure and Recovery Look Like
Crown lengthening is done with local anesthetic so the area is fully numb. We make small adjustments to the gum tissue around the tooth, and if the situation calls for it, reshape a small amount of bone to create the right proportions. The area is cleaned and, depending on the technique used, sutured. Most appointments are straightforward and finish in a single visit. For patients who feel anxious about dental surgery, we offer nitrous oxide sedation and IV sedation dentistry.
Here's what Flat Rock patients can generally expect around the appointment:
- A consultation and exam first, including X-rays, so the plan is clear before treatment day
- Local anesthetic, with sedation options available if you'd like them
- Soreness and some swelling for a few days, managed with recommended pain relief and cold compresses
- Soft foods and gentle brushing near the site while the tissue settles
- A follow-up visit to check healing and remove sutures if needed
- A healing period before the final crown or restoration is placed, so the gumline is stable
Because we have an on-site dental lab, the crown or restoration that follows can be made and adjusted here rather than sent out and back, which keeps the timeline tighter and makes fine-tuning easier.
Insurance, Membership, and Payment for Flat Rock Patients
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and offer a complimentary benefits check, so you'll know what your plan covers before treatment begins. We also welcome self-pay patients and accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
If you don't have dental insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for ages 18 and up and $99 a year for ages 17 and under. It includes exams, X-rays, two cleanings, and two fluoride treatments a year at 100%, plus 20% to 50% off other treatment — with no annual maximum, no deductibles, no waiting period, and no pre-authorizations. CareCredit financing is also available for patients who'd rather spread payments out.
Our Woodhaven office at 22500 Allen Rd. serves families throughout Flat Rock, and our five doctors treat patients of all ages. Se habla español. If a tooth has broken or you're wondering whether crown lengthening is the right next step, we also keep room for emergency appointments.