- 8285 Jericho Turnpike Suite 3C, Woodbury, NY 11797
A Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gums to refine your smile and reduce excessive gum tissue. It also improves oral hygiene by making your teeth easier to clean. When decay or damage extends below the gum line, a dentist may need more room to place a filling or crown, and this procedure makes crowns and fillings stronger. During a crown lengthening procedure, the dentist may reposition the tissue around the tooth and lower the gum level. It can also be used as a gummy smile treatment for aesthetic reasons.
Cosmetic crown lengthening can transform a gummy smile by reshaping the gum line to reveal more of each tooth’s natural surface. A dentist will sculpt the gum line to expose more of the tooth, and sometimes a small amount of bone, to create a more symmetrical and visually appealing smile and tooth-to-gum ratio. Woodbury, Long Island patients choose this cosmetic crown lengthening procedure to get a more proportionate smile without altering their teeth.
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With 15 years of experience, we are equipped to provide efficient, safe, and reliable dental care. Check out more about our dentist, Dr. Lynna Pillai DMD here.
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Our advanced technology can enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment precision – leading to better patient outcomes, reduced discomfort, and better communication.
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We aim to foster trust with you as our patient, which enables you to actively participate in your overall dental health journey.
Preparing for crown lengthening includes a few steps. Your Woodbury, Long Island dentist will first review your medical history, take X-rays, and confirm the amount of tooth that needs to be exposed. Brushing and flossing in the days before your appointment is important when you prepare teeth for restorations, so the area is clean and free of inflammation. You may need to avoid certain medications and arrange transportation if you’ll be sedated. These steps create the ideal conditions for durable restorative work.
If you do not see your insurance provider listed, please contact us.
Unfortunately we do not accept Medicaid, Healthplex, HMO, DMO and some other dental insurances.
A crown lengthening procedure is medically necessary when the dentist needs better access to a tooth that is affected by deep decay, is fractured near the gum line, or is too short. Crowns and fillings can’t be safely supported or placed, or may not fit properly, if the gum tissue sits too high. By reshaping the gum tissue, restorative work can be done and will avoid future complications.
When a patient wants to refine their smile and achieve a more attractive appearance, their gum line can be adjusted with cosmetic crown lengthening so their gums don’t dominate their smile. It reveals more of the natural tooth, making it appear longer. Crown lengthening is needed for restorative dentistry if a tooth is fractured or has decay, so a crown or filling will fit securely. While both adjust the gum line, the distinction lies in aesthetics vs. structural necessity.
The dentist numbs the area first with local anesthesia, so most patients feel only mild discomfort during a crown lengthening procedure. It’s normal to have some soreness or sensitivity afterwards for a few days, but as the gums heal, symptoms will improve.
Insurance plans cover crown lengthening when it’s medically necessary to treat decay, repair a broken tooth, or support a filling or crown. It’s not usually covered if it’s done for cosmetic reasons. Review your insurance policy to see if it pays for this type of service, or request a pre-authorization for your out-of-pocket costs.
