What Crown Lengthening Feels Like From Consultation to Recovery

What to Expect From Crown Lengthening Start to Finish

Crown lengthening can sound intimidating at first, but it is simply a procedure that gently reshapes the gumline and, in some cases, a small amount of bone so more of the natural tooth is visible. A periodontist may recommend it if you have a “gummy” smile, a tooth that is broken close to the gumline, or when additional tooth structure is needed to support a durable crown. The goal is to protect your oral health while improving both comfort and appearance.

Much of the concern around crown lengthening comes from uncertainty about what the process involves. In this guide, we explain crown lengthening the way our team at Fort Collins Periodontics and Dental Implants approaches it every day, from the initial consultation through complete healing. Understanding each stage helps patients feel more at ease and confident moving forward. With clear expectations and professional guidance, the experience is often far more manageable than people expect.

Your First Visit and How We Plan Your Care

Your experience starts with a detailed consultation. At this visit, we are mostly talking, listening, and gathering information. There is usually no treatment on this day, just careful planning.

Here is what usually happens at that first appointment:  

• We review your medical and dental history and any current medications  

• We take digital X-rays to look at roots and bone levels  

• We complete a periodontal exam to check gum health and pocket depths  

• We may take photos to study your smile line and gum position

We look at why crown lengthening has been suggested. Sometimes it is mainly cosmetic, to reduce extra gum showing when you smile. Other times it is restorative, to reach decay or cracks that are under the gumline so a dentist can place a crown that fits well. If we see signs of active gum disease, we usually talk about treating that first so your mouth is as healthy as possible before the procedure.

During this visit, most people feel:  

• Relief that they can ask every question on their mind  

• Reassurance once they see images and hear a simple explanation  

• More relaxed after we review the steps and the general timeline

We also talk about what areas will be treated, the expected number of visits, anesthesia options, and an estimated recovery window. Our goal is for you to walk out knowing what is happening, why it is needed, and how it fits into your overall treatment plan.

How Crown Lengthening Feels on Treatment Day

On the day of crown lengthening, we start by checking you in and making sure nothing has changed with your health or medications. This is a good time to bring up last-minute questions or worries. We want to know how you are feeling so we can adjust our approach if needed.

Before we begin, we review anesthesia options. Most people do well with local anesthetic, which numbs the gum and tooth so you do not feel sharp pain. For anxious patients, we may discuss adding a form of sedation, depending on what is appropriate for your health and treatment plan.

During the procedure, you can expect:  

• Numbing that feels like a typical dental filling appointment  

• Pressure or gentle tugging as we shape the gum tissue  

• Hearing the sound of instruments and suction, but no sharp pain  

• Short breaks if you need to swallow, rest your jaw, or regroup

We carefully remove a small amount of gum tissue, and in some cases a small amount of bone, to expose the right amount of tooth. This work is very precise and is tailored to each tooth and each smile. Once we are happy with the shape and level of the gumline, we place tiny sutures, and sometimes a protective dressing to help the area stay comfortable and clean.

Right after the procedure, you are still numb. You may notice:  

• A feeling of fullness or puffiness around the treated area  

• Light pressure where the sutures are placed  

• A bit of oozing, which we control before you leave

Before you go home, we go over written and verbal aftercare instructions, including how to clean the area, what you can eat, and which activities to avoid for a short time. We also talk about what to expect as the numbness wears off and how to stay ahead of soreness.

The First 72 Hours After Your Procedure

The first three days after crown lengthening are usually the most noticeable, but most people say the discomfort is very manageable with the plan we give them. As the anesthetic wears off, you may feel mild to moderate soreness and tenderness where the gums were reshaped. Some swelling is common, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours.

To stay comfortable, we typically suggest:  

• Taking prescribed or approved over-the-counter pain relievers as directed  

• Using cold compresses on the outside of your face in short intervals  

• Sticking with soft foods like yogurt, eggs, pasta, or smoothies  

• Avoiding very hot, crunchy, or spicy foods near the treated area  

• Following any special instructions we give about brushing and rinsing

It is important to keep your mouth clean, but you will need to be gentle around the surgical site. We usually ask you to brush the other teeth as you normally do and to be very careful around the treated area. At a certain point, we may recommend saltwater or a specific rinse to help the tissues stay clean, depending on your case.

Some things are normal during this window, including:  

• Mild oozing that stops with gentle pressure on gauze  

• Slight color changes in the gums as they start to heal  

• Sensitivity to temperature around exposed tooth surfaces

You should contact the office right away if you notice:  

• Pain that keeps getting worse instead of better  

• Heavy bleeding that does not slow down with pressure  

• Swelling that suddenly increases or is paired with fever  

• A dressing or suture that feels very loose or comes off early

Healing Timeline and What Your Smile Will Look Like

Healing from crown lengthening is a process, not a single moment. The area usually feels much better after the first week or two, but the gum tissues continue to mature for several weeks to a few months. During this time, the gums settle into their new position.

In general, most patients can:  

• Return to desk work or light activities within a day or two  

• Ease back into exercise after several days to about a week, based on our advice  

• Gradually add back more solid and crunchy foods as tenderness fades

We typically remove sutures after the early healing phase, if they are not the type that dissolve on their own. At these follow-up visits, we check how the gums are shaping up and make sure the teeth are ready for the next step, such as getting a crown from your general dentist if that is part of your plan.

Cosmetically, people who had crown lengthening for a gummy smile usually notice:  

• More tooth showing when they smile  

• A more even gumline from tooth to tooth  

• A smile that feels more “grown up” or balanced

Functionally, when crown lengthening is done to help restore a tooth, it gives your dentist better access and more surface to work with. That can help with a snug, longer-lasting crown and makes it easier to keep the area clean with brushing and flossing. Our focus as periodontists is not just how your smile looks right after healing, but how your gums and teeth will hold up over time.

Take The Next Step Toward A Healthier, More Confident Smile

If you are ready to see how crown lengthening can improve your comfort, function, and appearance, we are here to help you explore your options. At Fort Collins Periodontics and Dental Implants, we will evaluate your needs, discuss personalized treatment recommendations, and answer all your questions. Reach out today through our contact us page to schedule a visit and take the first step toward a stronger, more attractive smile.