Crown Lengthening in Trenton
A tooth that has broken near the gumline, a crown that keeps coming loose, or a smile that shows more gum tissue than tooth enamel — these are the situations that bring Trenton patients to us asking about crown lengthening. The procedure adjusts the gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of the underlying bone, so that more of the natural tooth is exposed above the gumline. That extra visible structure gives a crown or filling something solid to hold onto, and it can also bring balance to a smile where the teeth look short or uneven.
Crown lengthening is a minor oral surgery procedure performed right here at our office at 22500 Allen Rd. in Woodhaven, a short drive for our Trenton patients. We reshape the gum line around one tooth or several, depending on what the situation calls for. When a tooth has fractured below the gum or decay has crept down toward the root, there may not be enough healthy tooth left for a crown to grip. Rather than lose the tooth, crown lengthening can expose enough structure to restore it.
There is also a cosmetic side to this treatment. Some people have perfectly healthy teeth that simply look small because the gum tissue covers more of them than it needs to. Others have a gum line that sits higher on one tooth than its neighbor, which the eye notices immediately. Esthetic crown lengthening evens out that line and lets the full height of each tooth show. We handle both the functional and cosmetic versions, and during a complimentary consultation we'll tell you honestly which one applies to you — or whether a simpler option like gum contouring, bonding, or a new crown would get you where you want to go.
Most of the Trenton patients we treat fall into one of a few groups. The first is restorative: a molar snapped off at the gum, a deep cavity under an old filling, or a crown that has failed more than once because there was never quite enough tooth beneath it. The second is cosmetic: adults preparing for porcelain veneers or whitening who want the gum line corrected first so the final result looks proportioned. The third is periodontal — patients being treated for gum disease where reshaping tissue improves access for cleaning and makes home care more manageable.
Good candidates generally have healthy gums or gum disease that is under control, which may mean scaling and root planing or periodontal maintenance before we schedule surgery. We'll review your health history, take X-rays to see the bone level around the tooth, and talk through the sequence with you. We see patients of all ages, and we accept oral surgery patients without a referral, so you don't need to chase down paperwork from another office before we can help.
What the Procedure and Recovery Involve
The appointment itself is usually straightforward. We numb the area thoroughly, then carefully trim and reshape the gum tissue around the tooth. If bone is covering part of the tooth, a small amount is contoured as well. Sutures may be placed, and the whole visit often takes about an hour depending on how many teeth are involved. Comfort matters a great deal to us, and we offer nitrous oxide sedation and IV sedation for patients who feel anxious about surgical treatment.
Here's what you can generally expect around your appointment:
- Soreness and mild swelling for a few days, managed with the instructions we send home with you
- Soft foods at first, with a return to a normal diet as the area settles
- Gentle brushing near the site and any rinse we recommend
- A follow-up visit so we can check healing and remove sutures if needed
- A waiting period before the final crown or cosmetic work, so the gum line can settle into its new position
Once healing is complete, we can move forward with the restoration. Our in-house dental lab fabricates and adjusts crowns on site, which keeps the restorative phase efficient and makes fine-tuning the fit much easier.
Paying for Treatment as a Trenton Patient
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and offer a complimentary insurance benefits check so you know your coverage before anything is scheduled. Self-pay patients are welcome, and we accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
For Trenton families without dental insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for adults and $99 for patients 17 and younger. It covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings and two fluoride treatments at 100%, with 20% to 50% off other treatment — no deductibles, no annual maximum, no waiting period. CareCredit financing is also available to spread payments over time. Se habla español.