Teeth that appear short and small are often the result of where the gumline sits, not the teeth themselves. When excess gum tissue covers the natural tooth structure, the entire smile can look off-balance, even if the underlying teeth are perfectly healthy. Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that removes and repositions that tissue, revealing more of each tooth and creating the proportionate, balanced smile that cosmetic dentistry alone cannot produce.
At LALUME Dental Studio in Newport Beach, crown lengthening is performed by our visiting periodontist, Dr. Ara Bakian, who comes to the practice to carry out specialty procedures including gum lifts, implant placement, and extractions. Dr. Shahira Saad, a UCLA School of Dentistry graduate with advanced training in smile design, works closely with Dr. Bakian throughout your treatment, so the transition from periodontal care to any cosmetic or restorative work is coordinated and seamless. For patients already exploring porcelain veneers or Invisalign, crown lengthening is often the first step toward achieving the result they want.
Crown lengthening is one of the most frequently performed periodontal surgical procedures, used for both restorative and cosmetic purposes. The procedure removes excess gum tissue and, in some cases, a small amount of underlying bone, to expose more of the natural tooth structure. The result is a healthier gumline, better access for restorations, and a more proportionate smile.
Most patients who need crown lengthening fall into one of two categories. The first are patients with decay or fractures that extend below the gumline, leaving insufficient tooth structure for a crown or veneer to attach securely. The second are patients with a gummy smile, in which healthy teeth appear shorter than they are because excess tissue sits too low. In both cases, the goal is the same: to expose the right amount of tooth for function and aesthetics.
Research published in F1000Research via the National Institutes of Health confirms that crown lengthening for aesthetic purposes in the anterior zone produces reliable results when tissue removal is carefully planned around each patient’s anatomy. For patients at LALUME, that planning involves both Dr. Bakian and Dr. Saad, who review every case together so the periodontal work and any subsequent cosmetic treatment, such as porcelain veneers or a smile design, produce a cohesive, natural outcome.
Crown lengthening may be recommended when a tooth is fractured or decayed below the gumline, when existing gum tissue prevents a restoration from fitting properly, or when a patient’s gumline produces excessive gingival display. During your consultation, Dr. Bakian will assess your gum and bone anatomy and help you understand which approach, functional or aesthetic, fits your situation. Patients already working toward Invisalign or other cosmetic treatment often find that crown lengthening is the right first step.
When decay or a fracture extends below the gumline, there may not be enough tooth structure exposed for a crown, veneer, or filling to bond securely. Crown lengthening removes the tissue and, when necessary, a small amount of bone to expose sound tooth structure. This creates the space needed for the restoration to fit properly, protects the surrounding gum tissue, and gives the final result the stable foundation it needs to last. Your general dentist may refer you to Dr. Bakian for this procedure before any restorative work begins.
When a gummy smile is the primary concern, crown lengthening reshapes the gumline to expose more of the natural tooth beneath. The procedure is typically performed on the upper front teeth, and the improvement in proportion is immediate. For many patients, it is the foundation of a more complete smile transformation. Dr. Saad often coordinates aesthetic crown lengthening with porcelain veneers, allowing her to design restorations that are perfectly sized and proportioned for the corrected gumline. The combination of both procedures can produce a significant change that cosmetic treatment alone cannot achieve.
Every crown lengthening case at LALUME begins with a thorough consultation, including digital scanning and a complete review of your gum and bone health. Dr. Bakian assesses exactly how much tissue needs to be repositioned and whether any bone recontouring is involved. This planning step is essential because the amount of tooth structure that needs to be exposed depends on the individual anatomy of each patient, not a standard measurement.
The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia. Sedation options are available for patients who would like additional comfort. Dr. Bakian makes conservative incisions to separate the gum tissue from the teeth, gaining access to the root surface and the underlying bone. When bone recontouring is needed, small amounts are carefully removed to create the right margin for the restoration or the corrected gumline. The site is then sutured and bandaged.
Most patients return to normal activity within a few days, though soft foods and gentle rinsing are recommended during the first one to two weeks. Full tissue maturation takes several weeks, which is why Dr. Saad and Dr. Bakian coordinate timing carefully before any final restorations are placed. If you have PPO dental coverage, our team will review your benefits with you during your consultation. Financing through Cherry and CareCredit is also available.
We’re here to answer your questions about crown lengthening.
Give us a call to speak with one of our friendly team members, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Saad.
LALUME Dental Studio offers something that is genuinely uncommon in Newport Beach: a visiting periodontist and a cosmetic and restorative dentist working in the same practice, on the same patients, with a shared treatment plan from the very first appointment. Dr. Saad brings advanced training in smile design and facially driven aesthetics. Dr. Bakian brings the periodontal precision to create the gumline that makes that smile possible. For patients who need crown lengthening before veneers, implants, or any other restorative work, that coordination matters.
If you have been told your gumline needs correction, or if you have noticed that your smile shows more gum than tooth, crown lengthening may be the right starting point. Schedule a consultation at LALUME Dental Studio and let Dr. Saad and Dr. Bakian walk you through what is involved, what to expect, and what the outcome could look like for you. Contact our office to get started.
Receive high-quality, personalized treatment recommendations from Dr. Saad and get answers to all your smile questions from the comfort of your own home.
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