Crown Lengthening in Marysville, WA: When Your Smile Needs More Healthy Tooth

If your dentist says there is not enough tooth showing above the gumline for a strong crown or veneer, they may recommend crown lengthening. For patients in Marysville and across Snohomish County, WA, this common periodontal procedure reshapes gum — and sometimes a little bone — so more healthy tooth is available for a lasting restoration.

Dr. Ben Choi, DMD, MSD, is a periodontist at Ben Choi Periodontics & Implants who provides crown lengthening when restorative work needs a better foundation. Here is what the treatment involves and when it makes sense.

What Is Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgery that carefully removes or reshapes gum tissue (and, when needed, a small amount of supporting bone) around a tooth. The goal is to expose more of the natural tooth structure above the gumline so a crown, bridge, or veneer can be placed securely and look natural.

It is not the same as a gum graft, which adds tissue to cover roots. Crown lengthening does the opposite in a controlled way: it creates the right amount of visible tooth for restorative dentistry while keeping the gumline healthy and even.

When Marysville Patients Need Crown Lengthening

Your general dentist or restorative dentist may refer you for crown lengthening when:

• A tooth is broken or worn down near or below the gumline.

• Decay sits under an old crown and there is not enough solid tooth left for a new one.

• A planned crown or veneer would sit too close to the bone without enough biological width (the natural space gums need to stay healthy).

• A gummy smile or uneven gumline needs reshaping for a more balanced look as part of smile design.

Without enough exposed tooth, a crown can loosen, irritate the gums, or fail early. Crown lengthening helps your restorative dentist place a restoration that fits, cleans well, and lasts.

How the Procedure Works

Most crown lengthening visits are done with local anesthesia in the office. After numbing the area, Dr. Choi gently reconstitutes the gumline around the tooth or teeth. If bone needs slight contouring so the gums can heal at the right height, that is done at the same time.

The soft tissue is then positioned and secured so healing can begin. The appointment length depends on how many teeth are treated and whether bone contouring is needed. Many cases involve one or a few teeth and finish in a single visit.

What Recovery Looks Like

Mild soreness, swelling, or sensitivity for a few days is common. Soft foods, gentle brushing away from the surgical site, and the rinses or medications your periodontist recommends usually keep recovery straightforward.

Gums continue to settle for several weeks. Your restorative dentist typically waits until the gumline is stable before taking final impressions for a crown or veneer — often several weeks after surgery, depending on the case. Follow-up visits help confirm healing before that next step.

Crown Lengthening vs. Other Gum Procedures

Patients sometimes confuse crown lengthening with gum grafting or with cosmetic gum contouring alone. Gum grafting covers exposed roots and thickens thin tissue. Crown lengthening exposes more tooth for restorative strength and, when planned carefully, can also refine the gumline. Your periodontist and restorative dentist decide together which approach fits your tooth and smile goals.

Why See a Periodontist in Marysville

Periodontists complete specialty training focused on the gums, bone, and supporting structures of the teeth. Crown lengthening sits at the intersection of periodontal health and restorative dentistry, so working with a periodontist helps protect the biological width, preserve supporting bone where possible, and set up a clean, predictable result for your crown or veneer.

Dr. Ben Choi, DMD, MSD, trained in periodontics and provides this care for patients referred from Marysville, Arlington, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, and nearby communities in Snohomish County.

Schedule a Consultation

If your dentist recommended crown lengthening — or you have a broken tooth, failing crown, or uneven gumline you want evaluated — you can schedule a consultation at Ben Choi Periodontics & Implants.

Ben Choi Periodontics & Implants is at 1533 Grove St, Marysville, WA 98270. Call 360-386-5055 or visit www.benchoiperio.com to request an appointment. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.