Oral Surgery

Crown Lengthening in Bel Air, MD: Creating the Foundation a Crown Needs

A dental crown needs adequate tooth structure above the gumline to be placed correctly and held securely. When a tooth is broken, heavily decayed, or has short clinical height, there may not be enough exposed structure to work with. Crown lengthening solves this by reshaping the gum and sometimes the bone to expose more of the tooth, giving Dr. Englander the surface area needed to place a long-lasting restoration.

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Expert Care

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What Is Crown Lengthening and When Is It Needed?

Crown lengthening is a minor surgical procedure that removes a small amount of gum tissue and in some cases underlying bone to expose more of the natural tooth structure. It is most commonly needed when a tooth is fractured below the gumline, when decay extends beneath the gum margin and cannot be accessed otherwise, or when the existing tooth height is insufficient to support a crown without violating the biological width, the natural space the gum tissue maintains around the tooth root. Without adequate tooth height above the gum, a crown placed too close to the bone will constantly irritate the gum tissue and eventually fail.

Is Crown Lengthening Also Done for Cosmetic Reasons?

Yes. Crown lengthening is also performed as an elective cosmetic procedure for patients with a gummy smile, where excess gum tissue makes the teeth appear short even though they are actually normal length. Removing the excess tissue reveals the full length of the teeth and creates a more balanced proportion between teeth and gums. In appropriate cases, Dr. Englander can perform cosmetic gum recontouring using a soft tissue laser rather than traditional surgery, which involves less recovery time and no sutures.

What Does the Crown Lengthening Procedure Involve?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation available if requested. Dr. Englander makes small incisions in the gum tissue around the affected tooth to access the underlying bone. The gum and bone are contoured to the planned level, the area is irrigated and cleaned, and the gum is sutured into its new position. Healing takes approximately four to six weeks before the gum tissue stabilizes enough for a crown to be placed. Dr. Englander will schedule the crown preparation appointment once he confirms adequate healing at your follow-up visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crown Lengthening

Is crown lengthening painful?

The procedure is done under local anesthesia and is not painful during treatment. Mild to moderate soreness for three to five days afterward is normal and manageable with over-the-counter or prescribed pain relief.

How long after crown lengthening can a crown be placed?

Most patients wait four to six weeks for the gum tissue to heal and stabilize in its new position before crown preparation begins. Placing a crown too soon while the tissue is still healing often results in poor margins and gum irritation.

Will my tooth look different after crown lengthening?

The tooth itself does not change. What changes is the amount of tooth visible above the gumline. The gum line in that area will sit slightly lower than before. For back teeth where aesthetics are less of a concern this is not noticeable. For front teeth it is something to discuss with Dr. Englander before the procedure.

Does insurance cover crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening performed for functional reasons before crown placement is typically covered as a periodontal surgical procedure, often at 50 to 80 percent after the deductible. Cosmetic crown lengthening for a gummy smile is generally not covered. Our team confirms your coverage before scheduling.

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    Dr. Joshua Englander, DDS

    Page written and reviewed by:

    Dr. Joshua Englander, DDS

    Doctor of Dental Surgery · Elevated Smiles Dentistry, Bel Air, MD · Last reviewed: July 2026