Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that removes or reshapes gum tissue — and sometimes a small amount of bone- to expose more of a tooth’s surface. It’s used for two main reasons: to make a tooth restorable when there isn’t enough visible structure for a filling or crown, and to improve the appearance of a gummy smile.
At Pure White, crown lengthening is carried out by our specialist periodontist in Mirdif. Because it can involve both gum and bone, it’s a procedure that benefits from specialist expertise — ensuring the tooth is properly prepared, and the gums heal well.
It’s closely related to gum contouring: contouring mainly reshapes soft tissue for aesthetics, while crown lengthening exposes more tooth and may involve bone. Your periodontist will confirm which is right for you.
After numbing the area, your periodontist carefully reshapes the gum tissue around the tooth — and, where needed, adjusts a small amount of the underlying bone — to expose more of the tooth’s surface. The gum line is refined so the tooth has enough structure showing for a restoration, or so the smile looks more balanced.
Whether it’s done for function or aesthetics, the aim is a healthy, stable result that supports both the tooth and the surrounding gums.
Crown Lengthening
Gum Contouring
Main purpose
Expose more tooth (function &/or aesthetics)
Reshape gum line (mostly aesthetic)
What’s adjusted
Gum tissue, sometimes bone
Gum tissue
Common reason
Support a filling/crown, or gummy smile
Gummy or uneven smile
Complexity
May involve bone reshaping
Soft tissue reshaping
Best assessed by
Specialist periodontist
Specialist periodontist
If you’re unsure which you need, your periodontist will clarify it at your consultation.
Crown lengthening may be recommended if you:
Have a tooth that’s broken or decayed near the gum line
Need a filling or crown but there isn’t enough tooth showing
Have a gummy smile where teeth appear short
Are preparing for restorative work that needs more tooth exposed
Want to balance your gum line as part of a smile makeover
For purely aesthetic soft-tissue reshaping, gum contouring may be the simpler option — your periodontist will advise.
Your periodontist examines the tooth and gums, and may take X-rays to check the bone level.
After healing, any planned filling or crown is completed. Your periodontist reviews your recovery.
It exposes more of a tooth by reshaping the gum — and sometimes bone. It’s used either to make a tooth restorable for a filling or crown, or to improve the look of a gummy smile.
The procedure focuses on the tooth or teeth being treated. Your periodontist plans it so the surrounding gums and teeth stay healthy and the result looks balanced.
Yes, crown lengthening is one option for a gummy smile, particularly where teeth appear short. Your periodontist will assess whether it or gum contouring is the better choice.