Crown Lengthening in Long Island, NY
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What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a specialized dental procedure that reshapes the gum tissue—and sometimes the underlying bone—to expose more of the natural tooth structure. This treatment is often necessary when there isn’t enough visible tooth above the gum line to properly secure a dental crown, veneer, or other restoration. By revealing more of the tooth, crown lengthening creates a stable foundation for restorative work and helps ensure long-term success.
Dr. David Scharf – Long Island Periodontics & Dental Implants offers precise, comfortable crown lengthening procedures to improve both function and appearance. Whether you need the treatment to support a new dental crown or to enhance your smile’s aesthetics, Dr. Scharf and Dr. Mukhtar use advanced techniques to deliver predictable, lasting results.
When Is Crown Lengthening Necessary, And Is It Right For Me?
Dental crowns cap a damaged tooth and improve its appearance, integrity, and strength. To put a dental crown on a tooth, there must be enough of the tooth exposed, and the tooth must be strong enough to hold the dental crown. Sometimes, due to decay, there isn’t enough healthy tooth for a dental crown.
When there isn’t enough of your tooth visible above the gum line, a crown lengthening procedure becomes necessary. If you fit this criteria, a crown lengthening procedure is typically right for you. However, as for all patients, it must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure that you are a good fit for the procedure.
Crown lengthening can also help when extra gum tissue makes a tooth hard to keep clean or interferes with your bite, and it can balance a gummy smile by revealing more of your natural teeth.
How Is Crown Lengthening Performed?
In most cases, the procedure takes less than an hour at our office in Long Island, NY. Here’s how we perform the procedure.
- Comfort and Anesthesia – Before treatment begins, we administer a local anesthetic, and sedation can be provided if needed, to ensure you remain completely comfortable throughout the procedure.
- Accessing the Tooth Structure – Using advanced surgical instruments, Dr. Scharf or Dr. Mukhtar gently lift and reshape the gum tissue surrounding the tooth. In some cases, a small amount of bone around the tooth may also be contoured to create the ideal amount of exposed tooth structure.
- Protecting Surrounding Teeth – Only the targeted tooth (or teeth) and its immediate gum and bone are treated. Nearby teeth remain untouched.
- Closing and Healing – Once the desired tooth length is achieved, the gums are carefully repositioned and sutured. You’ll be given aftercare instructions to promote quick, healthy healing.
- Follow-Up and Final Restoration – A follow-up visit is scheduled to monitor your progress. Once the gum tissue has fully healed, we will place your permanent crown or restoration for a secure, long-lasting fit.
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery from crown lengthening is very manageable for most patients. Some soreness, swelling, or mild discomfort for a few days is normal, and over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers are usually all you need. An ice pack can also help keep swelling down.
Most patients go back to work and their normal routine right away, taking a few simple precautions for the first few days. While you heal, we’ll ask you to:
- Brush gently around the treated area.
- Eat soft foods for the first few days.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol, which can slow healing.
- Keep your follow-up visits so we can check your progress.
Are There Any Risks?
Like any surgical procedure, crown lengthening carries some risks, though they are generally low when an experienced periodontist performs it. Possible risks include:
- Infection
- Prolonged bleeding
- Gum sensitivity or recession
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
To keep these risks low, we carefully review your medical history before your procedure, and we may prescribe antibiotics or a special rinse afterward if needed. With the right care, complications are rare.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
A little planning helps your recovery go smoothly:
- Tell us about any medications you take and any health conditions you have.
- Arrange a ride home if you’ll be sedated.
- Stock up on soft, cool foods for the first couple of days.
- Follow any pre-op instructions we give you, such as avoiding smoking.
Schedule an Appointment
A crown lengthening procedure is sometimes necessary for both cosmetic and functional reasons. This procedure requires an expert periodontist, like Dr. David Scharf and Dr. Noor Mukhtar.
Call or send us a request to schedule an appointment. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
FAQ: Crown Lengthening
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or sedation, so you won’t feel pain during treatment. Some mild soreness or swelling may occur afterward, but it is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain medication and proper aftercare.
Most patients feel back to normal within one to two weeks. Complete healing usually takes about 6 to 12 weeks for back teeth and 3 to 6 months for front teeth, where the final gumline matters most for your smile. Your permanent crown is placed once your tissues have fully healed, so it fits securely and looks natural.
No. While crown lengthening is often performed to prepare a tooth for a crown or other restoration, it can also be done for cosmetic reasons, such as improving a “gummy” smile by revealing more of the tooth’s surface.
It can. In many cases, crown lengthening improves the balance between your teeth and gums, creating a more proportionate and attractive smile.
If your dentist or periodontist has told you there’s not enough healthy, visible tooth structure to support a restoration—or if you’re unhappy with excessive gum coverage on your teeth—you may be a candidate. A consultation with one of our periodontists will confirm whether this procedure is right for you.
Dr. David Scharf – Long Island Periodontics & Dental Implants
ADDRESS:
98 E Main St, Ste 2
Babylon, NY 11702
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PHONE: (631) 661-6633
OFFICE HOURS:
- Monday: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM