Crown Lengthening Treatment For A Natural, Radiant Look

Crown lengthening is a common dental concern that often makes people feel less confident about their appearance. Today, treatment options for a gummy smile are highly sought after to create a radiant, natural-looking smile that harmonizes with the face.  Platinum Dental invites you to discover the insights in this article to explore the most effective solutions, understand the treatment process and choose a trusted cosmetic provider.

What is a crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening refers to the condition where too much gum tissue shows above the teeth when smiling, typically more than 3mm from the gum line to the upper lip. While it doesn’t affect oral health or chewing function, the imbalance in facial aesthetics often makes people feel less confident when speaking or smiling in public.

According to aesthetic standards, the ideal amount of gum exposure when smiling is about 1-2mm.

Main causes of crown lengthening

A gummy smile can result from different factors, often involving one or a combination of the following:

• Teeth: Short or uneven teeth, or crowns partially covered by gum tissue.
• Jawbone: Excessive growth of the upper jaw pushes both teeth and gums downward.
• Gums: Overgrown gum tissue covers too much of the tooth surface.
• Lips: A short upper lip, or hyperactive lip muscles that raise the lip too high when smiling, exposing the gums.

Pinpointing the exact cause is crucial to choosing the right treatment, most commonly crown lengthening for cases where gum tissue covers too much of the teeth.

Levels and how to identify a gummy smile

Depending on how much gum is exposed, a gummy smile is generally classified into:

• Mild: About 2-3mm of gum shows when smiling, noticeable only on closer look.
• Moderate: 3-5mm of gum exposure, easily visible and affects smile aesthetics.
• Severe: More than 5mm of gum display, where gums dominate the smile and cause significant imbalance.

You can do a quick self-check by smiling naturally in front of a mirror and measuring the distance from the gum line to the upper lip. However, for an accurate assessment, it’s best to consult directly with a dental specialist.

Treatment options for a gummy smile

At Platinum Dental Group, we don’t just treat the visible symptoms of crown lengthening. We address the root causes, whether they come from the teeth, gums, bite or jaw structure. Each treatment plan is carefully prescribed by our doctors based on the degree of gum exposure, facial characteristics and each patient’s aesthetic goals.

Orthodontics: Long-term effectiveness, correction from the root

For gummy smiles caused by protruding teeth, deep bite or malocclusion, orthodontics is the first-line treatment. By gradually repositioning the teeth and rebalancing the bite, braces help reduce gum display when smiling while also improving the overall harmony of the smile and face.

Pros:

• Non-invasive, no impact on gum tissue or jawbone.
• Corrects multiple issues at once: protrusion, crowding, misaligned bite and gummy smile.
• Delivers sustainable results, enhancing both function and aesthetics.

Best for: Young patients with normal jaw structure but misaligned teeth leading to excessive gum display. Especially effective for deep bite (overbite), where the upper teeth cover too much of the lower teeth.

Jaw surgery: A comprehensive solution for severe gummy smiles

When a gummy smile is caused by overgrowth of the upper jaw or forward projection of the jawbone, orthodontics alone is not enough. In these cases, jaw surgery is the definitive solution, targeting the structural cause directly.

At Platinum Dental Group, gummy smile surgery is performed using advanced maxillary osteotomy techniques, repositioning the upper jaw to reduce gum exposure, while improving the balance between the jaws and enhancing overall facial harmony.

Pros:

• Corrects the skeletal foundation, addressing the root cause.
• Produces dramatic improvements in both the smile and facial appearance.
• Long-lasting results with outstanding aesthetics when performed with proper technique.

Best for: Patients with severe gummy smiles accompanied by skeletal protrusion, facial imbalance, or a constrained smile where gum tissue remains visible even with a gentle smile.

Laser gum contouring: Minimally invasive, quick recovery and highly aesthetic

For cases where excessive gum tissue or short crowns disrupt the balance between teeth and gums, doctors may recommend laser gum contouring. This technique reshapes the gum line with precision.

Pros:

• Gentle, virtually painless and no stitches required.
• Fast healing time.
• Noticeable improvement in smile aesthetics within just a few days.

Best suited for: Patients with congenital gingival overgrowth, naturally short teeth or those who have completed orthodontic treatment but still need gum line adjustment for a more harmonious smile.

Botox injections: Subtle correction and fast results

When a gummy smile is caused by hyperactive upper lip muscles that pull the lip too high when smiling, Botox injections can be an effective option. Botox temporarily relaxes the muscle activity, reducing gum exposure without the need for surgery.

Pros:

• Quick procedure with no downtime.
• Visible improvement within a few days.
• Non-invasive and minimally uncomfortable.

Limitations: Results typically last 6-8 months, requiring repeat treatments to maintain long-term effect.

Crown lengthening procedure at Platinum Dental Group

At Platinum Dental Group, gummy smile treatment is carried out with precision, science and a fully personalized plan based on the underlying cause. Here are the standard steps in our treatment process:

Step 1: comprehensive examination and X-rays

Your dentist begins with a full evaluation of the teeth, gums and lips to identify the cause of excessive gum display. Clinical examination combined with X-rays helps assess factors such as:

• Short crowns or teeth not fully visible.
• Thick or overgrown gum tissue.
• Hyperactive upper lip muscles.
• Overdevelopment of the upper jaw.

This allows for an accurate diagnosis of both the severity and the root cause.

Step 2: Personalized treatment planning

Once the clinical and radiographic results are available, our doctors use specialized software to analyze and design a detailed treatment plan. This includes:

• The amount of gum tissue to be trimmed or reshaped.
• The direction and level of intervention for bone or soft tissue.
• Orthodontic treatment plan if malocclusion is present.
• Estimated treatment duration and cost.

The plan is discussed thoroughly with each patient to ensure clarity and full agreement before treatment begins.

Step 3: Oral health check before treatment

Prior to any procedure, the dentist performs essential checks to ensure the patient is ready and safe for treatment:

• Basic lab tests (if surgery is required)
• General oral health evaluation
• Professional cleaning, scaling, and treatment of gum disease if present
• In some cases, dental impressions may be taken to aid in treatment and future restorations.

Step 4: Performing the treatment

Depending on the cause of the gummy smile, the dentist will recommend the most suitable method:

Key tips for a successful crown lengthening treatment

Getting crown lengthening at a reputable dental clinic, with skilled specialists and modern technology, ensures peace of mind throughout the process. To achieve the best results and a smooth recovery, it’s important to follow certain guidelines both before and after treatment.

Before treatment:

• Have a thorough consultation with your dentist to identify the exact cause of excess gum display and determine the most suitable treatment.
• Complete necessary tests such as X-rays or bloodwork to confirm you are healthy enough for surgery or minor procedures.
• Provide your full medical history, including allergies to medications, so your dentist can ensure safe treatment.
• Maintain good oral hygiene (professional cleaning, scaling and polishing) before treatment reduces the risk of infection.

After treatment:

• Keep the gauze in place to control bleeding and avoid disturbing the treated area during the first 48 hours.
• Don’t  remove blood clots or touch the wound, as this may cause bleeding or infection.
• Rinse gently with a Chlorhexidine mouthwash and clean the gums carefully using sterile gauze soaked in saline solution.
• Stick to a soft-food diet; avoid hot, spicy, or crunchy foods and add fresh fruits for extra vitamins to support healing.
• Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled for progress checks, suture removal if needed and timely management of any unusual symptoms.

Crown lengthening cost at Platinum Dental Group

At Platinum Dental Group, the cost of crown lengthening is flexible and depends on the underlying cause of the gummy smile, the severity of the condition and the treatment method prescribed (orthodontics, gum contouring, lip muscle adjustment or jaw surgery). Here is an estimated price table for your reference:

To know the exact cost for your case, schedule a consultation with our experienced doctors at Platinum Dental today.

FAQs about crown lengthening

Does crown lengthening hurt?

Most procedures are performed under sterile conditions with local anesthesia, so patients typically do not feel pain during treatment. After the procedure, you may experience slight sensitivity or mild swelling, which usually subsides within 1 to 2 days if proper aftercare instructions are followed.

How long does recovery take after crown lengthening?

For simple laser gum contouring, you can return to almost normal activities within 1–2 days. For jaw surgery, full recovery may take 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your condition and the extent of the procedure.

Are the results of crown lengthening permanent?

Yes. When the root cause is treated correctly and the procedure is performed by an experienced specialist, the results can last for many years, or even a lifetime, especially in cases treated with orthodontics or jaw surgery.

Which crown lengthening method should I choose?

That depends on the cause and severity of gum exposure. At Platinum Dental Group, orthodontics and jaw surgery are often recommended for cases involving protruding teeth, deep bite, or excessive jaw growth since they address the root cause with long-term effectiveness. For milder cases or when a quick cosmetic improvement is desired, laser gum contouring or Botox injections may be more suitable.

Will my smile look stiff after treatment?

Not at all. The goal of crown lengthening is to create harmony between the teeth, gums, and lips, so your smile will feel more natural and confident. Treatments like orthodontics and gum contouring are carefully planned to ensure comfort and allow you to express emotions freely.

Contact Platinum Dental Group now for the best crown lengthening treatment

At Platinum Dental Group, you’ll be cared for by highly trained specialists with years of experience in orthodontics, cosmetic microsurgery and full smile design. Each treatment begins with a precise diagnosis, using X-rays, bite analysis, and jaw structure evaluation, to reveal the true cause of excess gum display. Then, our doctors design a fully personalized plan for the unique proportions of your face and the degree of gum exposure.

With advanced technology such as Diode Laser and ultrasonic bone surgery, combined with absolute sterilization and attentive post-treatment follow-up, we ensure every procedure is safe, effective and delivers lasting aesthetic results. So contact Platinum Dental Group today to transform your smile with confidence!
Platinum Dental Group

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