Case 01 · Upper arch
More tooth, less gum
Excess gum tissue removed and recontoured across the upper arch, exposing the natural length of the teeth underneath.
Reshape
Gummy smile & crown lengthening
Some people show more gum tissue than tooth when they smile. The teeth underneath are often the right size — they are simply covered. Crown lengthening, a relatively common procedure, removes the excess gum tissue and reveals the tooth length that was already there.
It is done for cosmetic reasons and for practical ones. Where veneers or crowns are planned, esthetic crown lengthening gives the restorative dentist a level base to work from. Where orthodontic appliances have caused gingival hyperplasia — overgrown gum tissue — removing it lets treatment progress and makes brushing possible again.
If your teeth themselves are fine and it is only the amount of gum on display that bothers you, lip repositioning may be the better option. We will tell you which applies.
What it treats
- Too much gum showing when you smile
- An uneven gum line — one side higher than the other
- Teeth that look short or worn
- Gum overgrowth around orthodontic appliances
- Preparing for veneers or crowns
Gum swelling can also be a side effect of medication, including calcium channel-blockers. More in the FAQs.
Six crown lengthening cases
Open in the case galleryDrag the divider to compare, or use the arrow keys.
Case 02 · Upper arch
An evened gum line
Gum contour evened across the upper front teeth, so no single tooth reads as shorter than its neighbour.
Case 03 · Hard tissue crown lengthening, then veneers
An unbalanced smile, balanced
This 23-year-old presented with two complaints about her smile: she was unhappy with a front tooth previously restored with a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, and she felt her smile was unbalanced. After consulting with her restorative dentist about our findings and her wishes, we presented a plan — hard tissue crown lengthening on her right side to match the length she already had on the left, followed by veneers on teeth #4–13.
Two views of the same case, before and after.
Case 04 · Gingival hyperplasia
Overgrown gums in braces
This otherwise healthy, active 13-year-old presented with gingival hyperplasia — overgrown gum tissue — as a result of less than ideal oral hygiene combined with his orthodontic appliances. Eliminating the excess tissue lets his orthodontic care progress and makes his brushing effective again.
Case 05 · Esthetic crown lengthening
A level table for her veneers
This 27-year-old school teacher wanted a new smile and presented with several challenges: chipped teeth, exposed tooth roots and worn teeth. By performing what is known as esthetic crown lengthening, we were able to give her dentist a level table to place her veneers on.
Case 06 · Crown lengthening
Hidden beauty, uncovered
This 15-year-old from Pleasant Grove presented with a gummy smile. She wanted to show more tooth length and less gingival tissue when she smiled. Crown lengthening eliminated the excessive gum tissue and enhanced the hidden beauty of her existing teeth and smile.
Related
Two ways to show less gum
Crown lengthening changes the gum line. Lip repositioning changes how far the lip travels when you smile. Which one suits you depends on why the gum is showing — and that is a clinical judgement, not a preference.
Compare with lip repositioningBring a photograph of your smile.
We will show you what changes and by how much, before you commit to anything.