How Much Does Crown Lengthening Cost?
Crown lengthening is a great option for patients who want to correct a gummy smile and those who need a dental restoration but do not have enough exposed tooth structure to support the restoration. Crown lengthening removes gum tissue to reveal more tooth structure, giving the patient a healthier smile or making room for restorative treatment.
How much does crown lengthening cost?
Depending on the extent of the needed treatment, crown lengthening costs between $50 and $350 per tooth. The overall cost will depend on the location of the office and the doctor’s experience. Patients who live in rural areas typically pay less than those living in urban areas.
Dental insurance may help alleviate some of the cost, but only if it is deemed medically necessary. A gummy smile, for example, is typically considered cosmetic and unlikely to be covered by dental insurance.
If you need extensive treatment, some dental offices offer in-house financing with payment plans or may use a third-party financing company so that more patients can afford the treatment they need.
How is crown lengthening done?
As an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthetic, crown lengthening typically takes an hour or so, depending on the extent of treatment. Your doctor will make an incision along the line in order to access the underlying bone structure. The bone is shaved and smoothed, and re-shaped before the gum tissue is re-attached. If necessary, the gum tissue will also be trimmed or contoured before being replaced.
Sutures keep the surgery site closed until your doctor removes them, so it is important to stick to a diet of soft foods while you have stitches in your jaw.
Who needs crown lengthening?
One of the most common uses for crown lengthening is in preparation for a patient to receive a porcelain crown. The crown of the tooth is the part that we can see, the part above the gum line. If there is not enough tooth structure for a porcelain restoration to adhere to, the restoration will not stay in place and can lead to further damage. Crown lengthening removes gum tissue to expose more tooth structure, so that the porcelain restoration has more surface on which to be affixed.
A gummy smile is another reason the patient might consider crown lengthening. A gummy smile is when the gum tissue covers too much of the tooth surface, giving the appearance of very small teeth. Crown lengthening can crash this by removing the excessive tissue, revealing more tooth structure for a healthier smile.
Crown lengthening is a simple, outpatient procedure that can greatly improve the chances of a dental restoration being successful. It can also have an incredible impact on a patient’s self-esteem if they are unhappy with a gummy smile. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you are a candidate for this procedure and refer you to a trusted periodontist.
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