Post-Orthodontic Smile Makeovers with Crown Lengthening

Reveal Your Best Smile After Braces or Aligners

Finishing braces or clear aligners is a big deal. Your teeth are straight, your bite feels better, and you expect to love every photo from now on. But many teens and adults in Fort Collins take off that last tray or get those brackets removed and still feel something is a little off.

The teeth line up, but the smile looks too gummy. Some teeth look short, others look uneven, and the whole smile does not match the effort you put into orthodontic treatment. This often has less to do with the teeth and more to do with the gums and the bone underneath.

That is where crown lengthening comes in. This specialized periodontal procedure adjusts the frame around your teeth so the straight, healthy smile you worked for finally shows. If you are looking ahead to spring events like graduations, weddings, or family photos, planning treatment gives you time to heal and feel confident in every picture.

Why Straight Teeth Alone May Not Complete Your Smile

Orthodontics is great at moving teeth into the right positions. It corrects crowding, closes gaps, and lines up your bite so your mouth works better. But there is another piece to a good smile: how much of the tooth actually shows when you smile, talk, or laugh.

Common concerns after braces or aligners include:

• Teeth that look short or square  
• A gumline that looks jagged or slanted  
• One or two teeth that seem smaller than the rest  
• A smile that shows a lot of gum tissue

These issues are often not orthodontic problems. The teeth are in the right place, but the gums and supporting bone sit too far down on the tooth. That extra coverage hides part of the natural tooth structure, so even straight teeth can look small or uneven.

This is where a periodontist, a specialist in gums and supporting bone, can help complete the esthetic side of your smile. We work closely with your general dentist and orthodontist to fine-tune the shape and position of your gums so the final result looks balanced, not just straight.

How Crown Lengthening Refines a Post-Ortho Smile

Crown lengthening is a periodontal treatment that reshapes extra gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of bone, to reveal more of the natural tooth. Think of it as adjusting the picture frame so the entire image shows clearly.

There are two main types of crown lengthening:

• Esthetic crown lengthening, often used to improve a gummy smile or uneven gumlines  
• Functional crown lengthening, used when a tooth needs more exposed structure for a crown or filling

For post-orthodontic smile makeovers, we are usually talking about esthetic crown lengthening. During planning, we use digital imaging and careful measurements to see:

• How much tooth is hidden under the gums  
• Where your lip sits when you smile  
• How your gumline flows from tooth to tooth

This allows us to design a gumline that looks even and natural with your facial features. Small changes here can make a big difference. Teeth look longer and more proportional, and the results of your braces or clear aligners stand out more. Many people notice that their smile looks brighter even before any whitening or veneers, simply because more natural enamel is visible.

What to Expect From Your Crown Lengthening Visit

At our specialty practice, your visit starts with a detailed consultation. We take digital X-rays and photos, and we look closely at:

• Tooth size and shape  
• Gum health and thickness  
• How your smile looks at rest and in full laugh

We talk through your concerns and your goals, especially if you have just finished orthodontic treatment. Our focus is on both esthetics and long-term gum health, so we plan the treatment that fits you best.

During the crown lengthening procedure itself, you are numbed in the area we are treating. For many people, this feels similar to getting a filling. If you feel anxious, we can discuss sedation options to help you relax. We then gently reshape the gum tissue and, if needed, contour a small amount of bone around the tooth to create a stable, natural-looking gumline. Tiny sutures help the tissue heal in the new position.

After treatment, you receive clear instructions on how to care for the area. Expect:

• Mild soreness or swelling for a few days  
• Soft foods and gentle brushing around the site at first  
• A follow-up visit to check healing

Initial healing usually takes place within days, while the gums continue to refine over several weeks. If you have big spring or summer events coming up, planning crown lengthening often gives you time for a smooth recovery and a photo-ready smile.

Pairing Crown Lengthening with Restorative and Implant Care

Crown lengthening often works hand in hand with other dental treatments after orthodontics. When more tooth structure is exposed, your dentist can place veneers, bonding, or crowns more predictably. This can help:

• Create a uniform tooth length and shape  
• Improve the way restorations meet the gumline  
• Support better long-term results for cosmetic work

In some cases, patients finishing orthodontics may also be planning implants to replace missing teeth or considering full-arch solutions like All-on-4. Thoughtful planning of gum contours around these restorations can make the final smile look more natural and balanced.

As a periodontal and implant-focused practice, we coordinate closely with restorative dentists. That means implant placement, gum shaping, and final restorations can be planned together, instead of as separate steps. Addressing gum health and gumline position first sets a strong base that supports the look and life of future crowns, bridges, or implant restorations.

Is Crown Lengthening Right for Your Smile Goals?

Crown lengthening is not right for everyone, but it can be a great option if you:

• Recently finished braces or clear aligners  
• Feel your teeth look too short or too gummy  
• Notice uneven gumlines across your front teeth  
• Need more tooth exposed for a planned crown

There are times when we may suggest other care first, such as when there is active gum disease, an unstable bite, or esthetic expectations that do not match what the procedure can realistically do. That is why a full periodontal evaluation is so important before any treatment.

At Fort Collins Periodontics and Dental Implants, we look at your whole smile, not just one tooth. We consider your lip line, facial proportions, and long-term oral health. From there, we can recommend the right mix of periodontal care, restorative work, and implant options to support your goals.

If you have senior photos, weddings, or new professional headshots coming up, early planning helps. Giving your gums time to heal means you can relax in front of the camera, knowing your straight teeth and your gumline are working together to show your best smile.

Take The Next Step Toward A Healthier, More Confident Smile

If you are considering crown lengthening, we are here to walk you through every stage of the process, from evaluation to recovery. At Fort Collins Periodontics and Dental Implants, we will carefully assess your needs and explain your treatment options in straightforward, easy-to-understand terms. To schedule a consultation or ask questions about your specific situation, simply contact us and our team will follow up with you promptly.