“Dedicated to Enhancing Your Smile with Exceptional Care and Expertise”.
“Dedicated to Enhancing Your Smile with Exceptional Care and Expertise”.
“Dedicated to Enhancing Your Smile with Exceptional Care and Expertise”.
“Dedicated to Enhancing Your Smile with Exceptional Care and Expertise”.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Angela Leung, DDS – Last reviewed August 19, 2026
A crown lengthening procedure can be the difference between a crown that “barely works” and a restoration that stays comfortable, cleanable, and stable for years.
At Angela Leung DDS PC – The Endodontics Implant Center, we plan crown lengthening around healthy gum levels, bone support, and the final restoration not just “showing more tooth.”
Crown lengthening is recommended when your dentist needs sound, accessible tooth structure to place a crown or repair a tooth predictably or when the gumline needs reshaping for a more even smile. The goal is to create a stable foundation so gums don’t stay inflamed around the margin.
If you’ve been told “the tooth is too short,” “the cavity goes too deep,” or “the crown margin is too close to the bone,” this is often the solution that keeps the tooth restorable.
When damage sits under the gumline, it can be hard (or impossible) to place a crown margin that stays clean and healthy. Crown lengthening can expose the tooth structure needed for a proper seal and cleansable contours.
A crown needs stable tooth structure to hold on long-term. If there isn’t enough visible structure, crown lengthening can help create the “space” needed for predictable restorative dentistry.
Sometimes teeth look short because extra gum covers part of the tooth. Crown lengthening can rebalance the gumline so the smile looks more even and natural.
Surgical changes should feel clear, not mysterious. Your visit focuses on why crown lengthening is needed and what the healthiest end result looks like.
We evaluate gum levels, pocket depths, and where the supporting bone sits because bone position affects where the final crown margin can safely live.
If anatomy, root position, or complexity calls for it, CBCT imaging supports safer planning and helps avoid surprises.
Photos help clarify symmetry and smile-line concerns. Digital impressions (intraoral scanning) document your current gumline so we can plan changes precisely and communicate clearly.
If your crown is being done here or by your general dentist, the plan should support the final restoration. That means planning around the future margin location and healing timeline, not just the day-of surgery.
Replacing missing teeth with durable artificial implants.
Specialized care for complex dental procedures.
Specialized dental care treating tooth pulp and roots.
Specialized care for gums and supporting structures.
Repairing teeth for function, health, aesthetics.
Enhance smiles with aesthetic and dental treatments.
Precise evaluation of bite alignment and jaw function.
Clear, precise guidance for safe and effective surgery.
Best for: excess gum coverage where bone levels don’t require adjustment.
Goal: improve symmetry and tooth display while keeping tissues healthy.
Best for: decay/fracture close to the bone, or when restorative space is needed for a stable margin.
Goal: create a healthy gum-to-tooth relationship that supports long-term stability.
Single tooth: focuses on restorability and gum health around the involved tooth.
Multiple teeth: focuses on a balanced gumline across the smile when symmetry matters
In some cases, the better route may be orthodontic extrusion, a different restorative approach, or (when prognosis is poor) extraction and implant replacement. We’ll walk through the tradeoffs so you can choose with confidence.
Many people postpone crown lengthening because they expect it to be overwhelming. We keep the process structured and supportive.
You’ll see immediate changes, but gum contours can continue to refine as swelling resolves and tissues mature. We’ll explain what’s normal for your specific case and timeline.
You’ll receive practical instructions to protect healing tissue, reduce sensitivity, and keep the area clean during recovery.
If a crown is planned, we’ll discuss realistic timing for provisional restorations and when final impressions or final placement is appropriate (based on healing and stability).
You’re not just getting instructions—you’re getting a practice that’s set up for precise diagnosis and careful surgical planning when needed.
We emphasize:
We’ll give you a written plan with costs before treatment begins, then help you choose a realistic path forward.
Sometimes. If the issue is only excess gum coverage, gum reshaping may be enough. If decay/fracture sits close to bone—or restorative space is needed—bone recontouring may be part of the plan.
No. Many cases are restorative-driven: creating a healthy, stable margin environment so a crown can fit properly and stay cleanable.
A major part of planning is symmetry and tissue stability. We document the starting gumline and plan toward a natural-looking contour, then confirm healing with follow-ups.
Timing depends on the tooth location, tissue type, and how much reshaping is needed. We’ll give a realistic timeline during your evaluation.
Sometimes orthodontic extrusion or a different restorative plan is the better fit. If the tooth isn’t predictable long-term, we’ll also discuss extraction and implant replacement options.
Angela Leung DDS PC – The Endodontics Implant Center
1131 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 415-681-2697
Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Saturday & Sunday closed)
If you’re dealing with missing teeth, failing dental work, or full-mouth breakdown, the fastest relief is clarity.
