Crown lengthening exposes more tooth by reshaping the gum and, where necessary, the bone around it. It is recommended in two quite different situations: when a restoration needs sound tooth structure to hold on to and there is not enough above the gum, and when the level of the gum itself needs adjusting for appearance. At Apple Dental Specialists both the surgical and restorative sides are planned together, because the surgery exists to serve the restoration that follows.
Below the visible gum margin, the tissue attaches to the tooth over a fixed vertical distance — a band of attachment that the body maintains. A restoration margin placed into that zone is a persistent irritant: the tissue responds with chronic inflammation, bleeding and often recession, and the restoration itself becomes difficult to keep clean and prone to failing at its margin. So when decay or a fracture extends to or below the gum, the problem is not only that there is too little tooth to grip. It is that a crown placed where the tooth currently ends would sit in tissue that will not tolerate it. Crown lengthening moves the gum and bone apically so there is sound tooth above that zone for the restoration to finish on.
This is the most common reason for the procedure. A tooth has fractured at or beneath the gum, or decay has undermined it to that level, and the question is whether it can be restored at all. Crown lengthening can make the difference between a crown that will last and an extraction — but it is not always the right answer. Exposing more of the tooth means removing bone from around it, and around the neighbouring teeth too, which has a cost in support and in appearance. Where the fracture extends deep, where the root is short, or where the result would compromise the teeth either side, extraction and an implant is often the more predictable plan. That comparison is set out honestly rather than assumed.
Some people show a band of gum above their teeth when they smile, or have teeth that look short and square because the gum sits low over them. Where the cause is that the gum has not fully migrated to its adult position over teeth of normal length, crown lengthening can reposition the margin and produce teeth of more balanced proportions. Where the cause is instead the way the lip moves, the length of the upper jaw, or the position of the teeth, surgery of the gum will not address it and something else is indicated. Establishing which applies is the first part of the assessment, and it is the reason a photographic and clinical evaluation comes before any discussion of the procedure.
Under local anaesthetic, the gum is lifted to expose the bone around the tooth or teeth being treated. A measured amount of bone is removed and contoured so that the required distance exists between the new gum level and the point where the restoration will finish. The gum is then repositioned at the new level and sutured. Where several teeth are treated for appearance, symmetry across the smile matters as much as the individual result, so planning is done against the whole smile rather than tooth by tooth. The appointment generally takes under an hour for a single tooth, longer for a run of teeth at the front.
The tissue needs to settle at its new level before a definitive restoration is made, because the margin of that restoration is placed relative to where the gum finally sits — not where it sits at two weeks. For a back tooth being restored functionally, that is commonly a matter of several weeks. Where appearance matters, in the front of the mouth, the wait is longer, often several months, as the tissue contour matures. A temporary restoration covers the interval. It is tempting to compress this timeline and it is the wrong thing to do: a crown margin set against unsettled tissue is a margin that will be visible or inflamed once the tissue finishes moving.
A tooth fractured or decayed to the gum line that needs a crown, a restoration margin that would otherwise sit in the attachment zone, recurrent inflammation around an existing deep-margined crown, uneven gum levels across the front teeth, or teeth that appear short because the gum sits low over them.
Crown lengthening is one answer and extraction with an implant is another. A consultation sets both out with the trade-offs, rather than presenting one as the only option.
All prices in CAD · starting prices
Separate stage
All prices are starting prices and may vary depending on case complexity, treatment requirements, materials and other clinical factors. Final treatment costs are confirmed following consultation and treatment planning. Prices effective September 2026.
Crown lengthening is priced from the current BC general dentist fee guide according to the number of teeth treated and whether bone recontouring is required. The restoration that follows is a separate stage with its own cost, and both are set out together so you see the full figure before starting.
A single back tooth being made restorable and a run of front teeth being levelled for appearance are different procedures, priced accordingly.
Some cases require reshaping of the gum alone; most require removal and contouring of bone as well, which is a distinct procedure.
The crown or filling is quoted separately by the restorative plan. Seeing both figures together is the point, because the surgery only makes sense in service of the restoration.
Most soft-tissue surgery is comfortably completed under local anaesthetic. Where sedation is wanted or indicated it is assessed and quoted separately in advance.
Periodontal treatment is covered by most dental plans, though many apply an annual maximum that a full course of treatment can exhaust. We can provide a written treatment plan with procedure codes so you can confirm your own coverage and, where it helps, stage treatment across benefit years. Patient financing is available.
Oral Surgery and Implants
Dr. Ali Mehdi brings over 15 years of experience in oral and implant surgery, with a focus on advanced implant dentistry and complex full-mouth rehabilitation. From routine oral surgery to advanced bone grafting and full-arch implant treatment, his approach combines surgical experience, digital technology, and individualized care.
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BDS, EDA, DABOI, MSc, Cert. Prostho, PhD
Board-Certified Specialist in Prosthodontics in Canada and Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology, with extensive experience in prosthodontics and implant dentistry.
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General Dentist │ MSc in Periodontics
General dentist with a Master of Science in Periodontics, prior Assistant Professor experience and clinical interests in periodontal treatment, implants and family dentistry.
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Dentist
Dentist with a Master's degree completed in Australia, focused on ethical, personalized care and helping patients make informed decisions about treatment.
View ProfileIt is priced from the current BC general dentist fee guide according to how many teeth are treated and whether bone recontouring is required. The crown or restoration that follows is a separate stage, and both figures are set out together before you start.
Because the gum attaches to the tooth over a fixed vertical distance below the visible margin, and a restoration finishing inside that zone causes persistent inflammation, bleeding and often recession. Crown lengthening creates sound tooth structure above that zone for the margin to sit on.
Sometimes. Crown lengthening removes bone from around the tooth and its neighbours, and where the fracture is deep, the root is short, or the result would compromise adjacent teeth, extraction with an implant is often more predictable. Both options are set out with their trade-offs.
It can where the cause is that the gum sits low over teeth of normal length. Where the cause is lip movement, jaw proportions or tooth position, gum surgery will not address it and something else is indicated. Establishing which applies is the first part of assessment.
Several weeks for a back tooth restored functionally, and often several months where appearance matters at the front, because the crown margin is placed relative to where the gum finally settles. A temporary restoration covers the interval.
It is carried out under local anaesthetic and is not painful. Expect some soreness and swelling for a few days afterwards, managed with the pain relief advised for you, and sutures removed or dissolving within one to two weeks.
Yes, that is the intention — more tooth is exposed by design. Where the treated tooth is visible when you smile, the result is planned against the symmetry of the whole smile rather than that tooth alone.
Sensitivity at the newly exposed root surface is common for a period and generally settles, helped by a desensitising toothpaste. Once the final restoration is in place it usually covers the area of concern.
Patients travel to us from White Rock, South Surrey, Surrey, Langley, Delta and across the Fraser Valley, and we accept periodontal referrals from dentists throughout the Lower Mainland. Our team also speaks Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
Book a consultation at Apple Dental Specialists in White Rock. The surgical and restorative sides are assessed together, the alternatives are set out honestly, and both stages are quoted in writing before anything begins.