Crown Lengthening in Seattle, WA
Are you self-conscious about a “gummy smile” or need more tooth structure exposed for a restoration? Crown lengthening at Dental Specialties Northwest can transform your smile by removing excess gum tissue to reveal more of your natural teeth. Our world-class Seattle dental team provides this specialized procedure with comfort, precision, and exceptional results using cutting-edge technology.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a versatile and common periodontal procedure that removes excess gum tissue, and sometimes bone, around the teeth to expose more of the tooth structure.
This dental procedure can be performed for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Functionally, crown lengthening exposes more tooth surface when there isn’t sufficient tooth structure for a dental crown or other restoration due to decay, fracture, or teeth that have broken beneath the gum line. Cosmetically, it creates a more balanced smile by addressing a “gummy smile” where teeth appear short or excess gum tissue dominates your smile.
At Dental Specialties Northwest, our integrated team approach means you benefit from specialists working together to ensure optimal results. Unlike practices that refer out to different offices, our in-house experts collaborate to provide comprehensive care in one convenient location in downtown Seattle.
Imagine the confidence of a perfectly balanced smile without excess gum tissue. Let our crown lengthening expertise help you achieve the smile you deserve.
Meet Dr. Thomas Sweeney and Our Expert Team
At Dental Specialties Northwest, our Seattle-based team brings exceptional expertise to every crown lengthening procedure. Led by Dr. Tom Sweeney, Dr. Rhys Spoor, and Dr. Richard Ansong, our practice offers integrated dental care that allows you to receive multiple specialized treatments under one roof. Our doctors are trusted by other dental professionals—we’re proud to be “the dental care practice the dentists trust.”
Our team’s comprehensive approach means we understand how crown lengthening interacts with other dental needs, providing truly integrated care rather than isolated treatments. Using cutting-edge dental technology and innovative techniques, we create personalized treatment plans that address your specific concerns while maximizing results. Whether you’re seeking functional improvements or aesthetic enhancements, our specialists work together to deliver world-class results in our luxury Seattle dental environment.
Benefits of Crown Lengthening
Enhanced Smile Aesthetics
Crown lengthening dramatically improves the appearance of “gummy smiles” by creating a more balanced proportion between your teeth and gums. The procedure reveals more of your natural tooth surface, resulting in teeth that appear longer and more proportionate. This transformation creates a more harmonious smile that many patients find boosts their confidence in social and professional settings. The aesthetic improvements can be subtle yet profoundly impactful, creating a smile that feels more authentically you.
Improved Restoration Success
When performed for functional reasons, crown lengthening provides the necessary tooth structure for successful restorations. By exposing more of the tooth’s surface, we create a stronger foundation for crowns, fillings, or other dental work. This approach helps prevent future complications like crown failure or recurrent decay beneath restorations. The additional exposed tooth structure also makes it easier for your dentist to place restorations with proper margins, improving their fit and extending their lifespan.
Better Oral Health
Removing excess gum tissue can make daily oral hygiene more effective by eliminating deep pockets where bacteria can accumulate. This reduction in hard-to-clean areas helps prevent gum disease and periodontal infections. Additionally, crown lengthening can access areas of decay or damage that were previously hidden beneath the gum line, allowing for more comprehensive treatment. The procedure creates a healthier oral environment that’s easier to maintain with regular brushing and flossing.
Long-lasting Results
Once healed, crown lengthening results are permanent, providing lasting improvement to both function and aesthetics. Unlike some cosmetic procedures that require regular maintenance, crown lengthening is typically a one-time treatment that continues to benefit your smile for years to come. The procedure addresses the structural relationship between your teeth and gums, creating stable improvements that support your long-term oral health and appearance.
Why Choose Dental Specialties Northwest for Crown Lengthening?
Integrated Specialist Care
At Dental Specialties Northwest, we pride ourselves on our integrated care approach that allows you to receive multiple dental procedures at a single practice. Rather than traveling to different specialists for your crown lengthening and other related treatments, our comprehensive team works together in our Seattle office to provide coordinated care. This collaborative environment ensures better communication between specialists and more convenient treatment planning for complex dental needs. As “the dental care practice the dentists trust,” we maintain the highest standards in specialized procedures like crown lengthening.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Our Seattle practice utilizes cutting-edge dental technology and innovative techniques to provide exceptional crown lengthening results. With digital smile design and minimally invasive approaches, we can plan your procedure with precision while preserving healthy tissue. Our advanced technology enables us to achieve more predictable outcomes with faster healing times. The integration of these modern techniques with our specialists’ expertise ensures you receive top-quality care that prioritizes both function and aesthetics in every crown lengthening procedure.
Luxury Dental Experience
We understand that dental procedures can create anxiety, which is why we’ve designed our Seattle office to provide comfort, care, and luxury through world-class services. Our convenient downtown location at 701 5th Ave, Suite 4660 features a welcoming environment where you can relax during your crown lengthening procedure. We offer various sedation dentistry options, including IV sedation, nitrous oxide, and oral conscious sedation to ensure your complete comfort. Our team is committed to providing top-quality luxury dental treatments in a setting designed for your peace of mind.
Personalized Treatment Approach
Every crown lengthening procedure at Dental Specialties Northwest begins with a comprehensive consultation and personalized treatment plan. We take the time to understand your specific concerns and goals, whether they’re cosmetic or functional. Our virtual smile consultations allow us to begin planning your treatment before you even visit our office. With our team-based approach, specialists like Dr. Tom Sweeney, Dr. Rhys Spoor, and Dr. Richard Ansong collaborate to address your unique situation, ensuring your crown lengthening procedure is tailored specifically to your oral health needs and aesthetic preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crown lengthening is typically performed under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The procedure involves making small incisions to separate the gums from the teeth, removing excess gum tissue, and sometimes reshaping the underlying bone. Depending on whether the procedure involves only one tooth or the entire gum line, treatment time varies from 30 minutes to over an hour. After the tissue is removed and reshaped, the area is cleaned and sutured. While the procedure sounds intensive, our Seattle specialists use precision techniques and gentle approaches to minimize discomfort and promote quick healing.
During the procedure, you'll receive local anesthesia to ensure you feel no pain. After the procedure, some mild discomfort and swelling are normal for the first few days. Most patients manage any post-procedure discomfort with over-the-counter pain medication and a special mouth rinse to prevent infection. Our team provides detailed aftercare instructions and is available to address any concerns during your recovery. Many patients report being surprised by how comfortable the recovery process is, especially with our pre-emptive comfort measures.
During the surgery, Dental Specialties Northwest folds back your gum tissue before removing the bacteria that has collected in the pockets. Once the bacterium is removed, the area is scaled and planed to make for a smoother surface. A smooth surface means bacteria won’t build up again. After the area is smoothed over, the gum is reattached so that it firmly rests against your jawbone.
When performed by our experienced specialists, crown lengthening is precisely targeted to affect only the necessary areas. However, depending on the location of the treated tooth and how many teeth require treatment, some adjustment of neighboring teeth may be necessary to create a harmonious gum line. Our comprehensive approach ensures any modifications to surrounding teeth enhance rather than detract from your overall results. We carefully plan each procedure to maintain balance across your smile while addressing your specific concerns.
For patients with moderate to severe gum disease, regular dental checkups, ongoing maintenance cleanings, and good at-home oral care are essential to prevent recurrence.
Scaling and root planing is generally safe, but some side effects can occur. Increased tooth sensitivity, especially to temperature changes, is common but usually temporary. Infection is rare, and dentists take precautions to prevent it.
Ready to transform your smile with expert crown lengthening? Our Seattle dental specialists are here to help you achieve the confident, balanced smile you deserve.
Visit Our Office
We’re conveniently located in downtown Seattle, WA, at 701 5th Ave, Suite 4660, in the Columbia Center. Enjoy stunning views, ample parking, and easy access to public transportation options for a seamless visit.
- 701 5th Ave, Suite 4660, Seattle, WA 98104
- 206-682-8200
- frontdesk@dentalspecialtiesnorthwest.com
