Crown Lengthening in Woodhaven
A tooth that's broken near the gumline, a crown that keeps coming loose, or a smile that shows more gum than tooth — these are the situations crown lengthening is built to solve. It's a precise procedure that adjusts gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of the bone underneath, so more of the natural tooth is exposed above the gumline. At our office on Allen Rd. in Woodhaven, we perform crown lengthening both as a restorative step (making a tooth repairable) and as a cosmetic one (evening out a gummy or uneven smile), and we talk through which purpose applies to you before anything is scheduled.
When a tooth fractures below the gumline or decay extends under the gum, there isn't enough healthy structure left for a crown to grip. Cementing a crown onto too little tooth usually ends in the same frustration: it loosens, it leaks, and the tooth is back in trouble. Crown lengthening solves that by carefully reshaping the gum and bone around the tooth so the margin of the restoration can sit on solid, cleanable tooth structure. For patients in Woodhaven who have been told a tooth "can't hold a crown," this is often the step that changes the answer.
The cosmetic side works on the same principle from a different angle. Some people have teeth that are perfectly normal in size but are partly covered by gum tissue, which makes them look short, stubby, or uneven from one side to the other. Reshaping the gum line reveals proportions that were there all along. We also offer gum contouring for cases that only need soft tissue adjustment, and we'll be straightforward with you about which approach fits what you want to change.
Because we're a multi-doctor family practice with general dentists, oral surgery services and a board-certified orthodontist under one roof, your crown lengthening doesn't have to be coordinated across town. We see patients of all ages and accept patients without a referral for surgical care.
Good candidates generally fall into a few groups. The first is restorative: a tooth broken at or below the gumline, deep decay, or a crown that repeatedly debonds. The second is cosmetic: an uneven or excessive gum line. The third involves teeth that are short in height overall, where a little added length improves how a crown or veneer fits and holds.
Healthy gums matter here. If gum disease is active, we treat that first with scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance, or other gum disease treatment, because reshaping tissue that's inflamed doesn't hold up well. Your complimentary consultation is where we sort this out — we examine the tooth, take X-rays, look at the surrounding bone level, and tell you honestly whether crown lengthening, an extraction, or another route makes the most sense.
- An exam and X-rays to measure how much tooth sits above and below the gum
- A clear explanation of whether the goal is restorative, cosmetic, or both
- A plan for the final restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or veneer
- Sedation options, including nitrous oxide and IV sedation, discussed in advance
- A written estimate and a complimentary check of your insurance benefits
The Procedure and What Recovery Looks Like
The appointment begins with thorough numbing. Depending on your comfort level and the extent of the work, we may add nitrous oxide sedation or IV sedation. We then make small, controlled adjustments to the gum tissue — and, when the situation calls for it, a conservative amount of bone — around the tooth or teeth being treated. Sutures are often placed to settle the tissue in its new position. Most visits are straightforward and focused on a single tooth or a small group of teeth.
Afterward, expect some tenderness and swelling for a few days. We'll send you home with specific instructions: what to eat, how to keep the area clean without irritating it, and what to use for discomfort. Soft foods, gentle brushing near the site, and rinsing as directed cover most of it. We schedule a follow-up to check healing and remove sutures, then allow the gum line to mature before placing the final crown or veneer so the margins land exactly where they should. Our in-house dental lab fabricates and adjusts crowns on site, which keeps that final stage moving.
Paying for Treatment in Woodhaven
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and will run a complimentary benefits check so you know your portion before treatment. We also welcome self-pay patients and accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
For patients without insurance, our in-house membership plan is $199 a year for adults and $99 for ages 17 and under, with no annual maximum, no deductibles, no waiting period and no pre-authorizations. It covers exams, X-rays, two cleanings and two fluoride treatments at 100%, plus 20% to 50% off other treatment. CareCredit financing is available for spreading payments out. Se habla español, and comfort items — blankets, warm towels, neck pillows, headphones, Netflix — are there for the asking.