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What Does Esthetic Crown Lengthening Cost?

The process involved in crown lengthening varies depending on the complexity of the procedure. Some people may require only the minimum steps in the process, while others may require much more. So, as you can imagine, the cost varies a great deal as well. In this article, we explain the steps involved in most crown lengthening procedures, who might be a good candidate for this treatment, as well as what you might expect regarding the fees. If you’re wondering what esthetic crown lengthening costs, we should remind you that there are a variety of factors that will play a role, including:

  • The steps involved in the procedure (removal of excess gum tissue, crowns, fillings and/or porcelain veneers, for example)
  • The expertise/experience of the dentist or periodontist performing the procedure (word of caution: always choose an oral health care provider with extensive experience in this procedure)
  • The materials involved in the process (crowns made from porcelain or porcelain fused to metal, for instance)

Let’s begin by explaining who might be good candidates for the procedure, along with the steps involved in esthetic crown lengthening.

What is Crown Lengthening and Who Should Consider It?

Family smile
Crown lengthening is often called “esthetic crown lengthening” because it’s usually considered to be a cosmetic dental procedure. In other words, people who want to improve the appearance of their smiles are most often the people who would be candidates for this procedure. This is particularly true for people with “gummy smiles,” or whose gum lines extend too far down on the surface of their front teeth. Patients with this condition appear to have teeth that are too short. In reality, however, their teeth are normal-sized but their gum tissue is concealing much of the tooth surface.
This reduces the amount of time required for the procedure, lessens the amount of bleeding, and cuts down on the recovery time for the patient. But gum contouring is only the first step in the crown lengthening process. Once the excess gum tissue is removed from the tooth surface, the dentist or oral surgeon takes steps to reshape the surface of the front teeth. If these teeth are damaged or decayed, the dentist takes whatever steps necessary to resolve those issues. Whether they are damaged or not, the reshaping of these teeth often involves affixing either a crown or a porcelain veneer to the affected teeth. The result is a smile that is both healthy and absolutely stunning!

Crown Lengthening and Other Dental Issues

We should make note that crown lengthening can serve more than cosmetic purposes. Sometimes, removal of gum tissue reveals teeth that are decayed and/or damaged. In these instances, crown lengthening can not only improve the quality of the person’s smile – it can also allow the oral health care provider to resolve the problems that were concealed by the excess gum tissue.

Of course, crown lengthening may not be the right choice for everyone. You’ll need to have healthy gums and be in good overall health before undergoing the procedure. Your dentist can provide you with an assessment of whether or not you would qualify for this procedure.

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Estimating the Cost of Your Crown Lengthening Procedure

We should begin by saying that you’ll need to consult with your dentist or periodontist to determine the exact costs for your crown lengthening procedure, since the fees will vary greatly depending on your situation and your provider. Having said that, we can provide some general information related to costs that could help you in your financial planning. First of all, take into consideration how many teeth will be involved. For example, simply removing excess gum tissue from a single tooth is relatively inexpensive, typically ranging from $50 to $350. Of course, that cost increases if more than one tooth will be involved. But removal of excess gum tissue is only one part of the crown lengthening process. If you’re undergoing crown lengthening to repair one or more decayed or damaged teeth, you’ll need to factor in those costs as well. Most often that repair will involve either a tooth-colored filling or a crown. The other steps involve reshaping of the tooth surface. This most often involves your dentist affixing a crown or a porcelain veneer to the tooth in order to achieve the most beautiful results possible. The cost of crowns and veneers also vary greatly depending on the fees charged by your dentist and which area of the country you live in, for example. Another consideration is the material used. Crowns can be made or porcelain or porcelain fused to metal, for instance, the cost of which varies. But generally speaking, you should anticipate the cost of crown lengthening to range between $1,000 and $4,000 – taking into consideration all of the variables we’ve mentioned above.

Will Insurance Cover the Cost?

If you have dental insurance, your policy could pay for a portion of esthetic crown lengthening. Usually, it will depend on why you’re having the procedure done. If it’s strictly for cosmetic reasons, it’s less likely that your insurance will cover any of the cost. On the other hand, if you’re having a crown lengthening procedure in order to repair a decayed or damaged tooth, your insurance may cover a portion of the cost.

You should also ask about payment plans offered by your dentist. Many dental offices provide their patients with some form of payment plan to assist them in affording the more expensive dental services.

If you’re considering having this procedure and wondering what esthetic crown lengthening costs, the first step is to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment. He or she can not only assess your current oral health and tell you whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure; they can also provide you with a general idea of how much the total cost might be. Whether you’re thinking about crown lengthening for oral health reasons or simply for cosmetic purposes, the end result is the same: a healthier, more attractive smile!