Reveal more of your tooth. Plan the gum line carefully.
Crown lengthening exposes more of a natural tooth by changing the gum margin and, when needed, the bone level beneath it. It may improve the proportions of selected smiles or help prepare a suitable tooth for a filling or crown.
Aesthetic and restorative care with Dr. Sergi Rivas Frau and Dr. Sahand Shirzadi Maryan. The purpose and the anatomy guide the plan.
Visits take place at collaborating dental clinics in Barcelona. The location is confirmed when your appointment is arranged.
The visible tooth is only part of the picture
Gum can cover part of the natural crown.
The pink overlay marks covered enamel in this cutaway. It illustrates one possible cause of short-looking teeth, not every cause of a gummy smile.
Original educational cutaway · not to scale. A simplified anatomical example, not a patient image, measured plan or promised result.
Start with the purpose
Two pathways. An individual assessment.
Aesthetic crown lengthening
For selected short-looking teeth or an uneven gum line. We assess whether excess gum coverage is part of the concern and whether changing it would suit your smile and periodontal health.
Restorative crown lengthening
For a suitable tooth with too little accessible sound structure for the intended restoration. The aim is to help make a filling or crown possible while considering the remaining tooth support.
Both uses are described in periodontal patient information.[1]
The planned gum line and the bone beneath it
Why the same gum trim does not suit everyone.
The tooth neck, bone crest, amount of gum and space for the soft tissues are assessed together. A photograph cannot establish all of these relationships.[2][3]
When the underlying relationships are suitable
Gum reshaping alone may be enough.
Original educational cutaway · not to scale. A simplified anatomical example, not a patient image, measured plan or promised result.
Selected cases allow more natural tooth to be exposed without changing the bone level. The plan also considers the type and amount of gum that will remain.
The dashed line marks the earlier gum level. Bone is unchanged in this example; it does not prescribe this approach for your smile.
A different anatomical relationship
Bone may sit close to the tooth neck.
Original educational cutaway · not to scale. A simplified anatomical example, not a patient image, measured plan or promised result.
If the planned gum margin would be too close to the bone, removing gum alone may leave an unsuitable tissue relationship. The surgical design needs to address the underlying anatomy.
This is a different example from the gum-only case. Measurements and examination determine the actual relationship.
Original educational cutaway · not to scale. A simplified anatomical example, not a patient image, measured plan or promised result. The dashed line marks the earlier bone level.
When bone adjustment is indicated
Plan the gum and supporting tissues together.
The gum may be repositioned with a carefully planned adjustment of the bone. The aim includes appropriate space above the bone for the gum and its attachment, alongside maintainable tooth support.
Open-flap and less invasive approaches have been studied in selected patients. Suitability comes from anatomy and access, rather than a universal preference for a laser, flapless procedure or one fixed measurement.[3][4]
A separate reason for crown lengthening
Create access for a restoration, where the tooth is suitable.
Deep damage or an unfavourable tooth-to-gum relationship can make a restoration difficult. We first assess whether exposing more sound tooth would help, without compromising support or neighbouring teeth.[1][3]
An illustrative starting problem
Damage extends beneath the gum.
Original educational cutaway · not to scale. A simplified anatomical example, not a patient image, measured plan or promised result.
A damaged area near the gum line may be difficult to access and restore. The examination considers how far it extends, the remaining root and bone support, the bite and the overall outlook for the tooth.
The dark mark is a simplified damage symbol. It does not represent a measured cavity, fracture or patient.
One possible access stage
Expose more sound tooth for the next stage.
Original educational cutaway · not to scale. A simplified anatomical example, not a patient image, measured plan or promised result.
Selected crown lengthening can expose additional sound tooth so the planned restoration has a more suitable foundation. The restorative margin and the periodontal tissues are planned together.
Damage is still shown because restorative treatment remains necessary. This is not a finished crown or a promised healing result.
Keeping the tooth must still make sense.
Further restoration, orthodontic extrusion or extraction may be considered where appropriate. Crown lengthening cannot make every damaged tooth restorable. Ask about the expected support, appearance, cleanability and alternatives for your tooth.
From your concern to continuing care
Agree the result you are working towards before treatment.
01
Assess the cause and purpose
Discuss your priorities. Examine the teeth, gums, smile and bite, with appropriate imaging and measurements.
02
Agree the whole sequence
Compare options and limitations. If restoration is planned, coordinate its design with the surgical plan and any temporary treatment.
03
Treat and review healing
Follow the agreed procedure and individual aftercare. Check the wound and how the gum margin settles.
04
Restore if needed, then maintain
Complete the restorative stage when appropriate. Continue home cleaning and professional reviews tailored to your needs.
Surgical and restorative stages may need separate appointments. The sequence is agreed for your case.[3]
Understand the trade-offs
Healing and the final gum line take time.
A planned position is not a guarantee.
The gum margin can change as tissues heal, including rebound or further recession. Tooth shape, tissue characteristics and the procedure influence the result. Reviews help decide when any final restoration should be completed.[5]
More exposed tooth can also mean sensitivity, visible root surfaces or changes to the spaces between teeth. These possibilities belong in the discussion before treatment.
Follow the instructions for your procedure.
Discomfort, swelling and bleeding can occur; infection, incomplete healing or a need for further treatment are possible. We explain relevant risks and provide cleaning, eating, medication and review instructions. Smoking can impair healing.
Contact the treating team if symptoms worsen or you are concerned. If you travel, agree postoperative follow-up before booking the journey.[6]
No. Gum coverage is only one possible cause of excessive gingival display. Lip movement, tooth position, jaw proportions and inflammation may need a different approach or coordinated care. We assess the cause before recommending treatment.
Does crown lengthening mean I will need dental crowns?
Not necessarily. In aesthetic crown lengthening, the aim may simply be to reveal more of your own teeth. Restorative crown lengthening has a different purpose: making a suitable tooth accessible for a filling or crown that is planned separately.
Is laser gum reshaping enough?
The instrument does not determine the diagnosis. Gum-only treatment may suit selected anatomy; other cases need access to, and adjustment of, the underlying bone. We explain the tissue and bone relationships, alternatives and the reasons for the proposed approach.
Can this save every broken or decayed tooth?
No. We assess how much sound tooth and root support remain, the extent of damage, the bite and the effect on neighbouring teeth. Orthodontic extrusion, another restorative approach or extraction may be more suitable in some cases.
When can the final crown or veneer be fitted?
The timing depends on the procedure, the treated area and how the gum margin settles. Where a restoration is needed, temporary treatment and reviews may be part of the plan. We agree the final restorative stage after reassessing healing rather than promising one timetable for everyone.
Start with your concern, not a procedure name.
Tell us whether your priority is your smile, a damaged tooth or a proposed restoration. We can explain the assessment needed and discuss the options that fit your anatomy and goals.
Sources checked 24 October 2026. Studies involve selected patients and techniques; they do not predict your personal result. All illustrations are original educational schematics.