Crown lengthening is a fairly common procedure that involves recontouring gum tissue to reveal more surface area of a tooth in preparation for a crown placement. Because a crown must be affixed to an existing tooth, excess gum tissue and sometimes bone need to be reshaped through a process referred to as crown lengthening.

Sometimes when a tooth is chipped or broken, the crown lengthening procedure is helpful in exposing enough of the tooth from under the gumline to safely secure the new crown. Similarly, with large cavities near the gumline, crown lengthening creates the opportunity for the crown to have more tooth available to attach itself.

Individuals with gummy smiles could also benefit from crown lengthening. Excessive gums can cover part of the teeth that might otherwise be exposed, leaving the teeth to appear shorter than they actually are. For crown work and a more natural looking smile, the crown lengthening technique could be a potential solution.