A precise, carefully planned procedure that reveals more of your natural tooth. It gives a crown or filling a secure foundation, or brings your gum line into better balance with your smile.
Crown lengthening is only recommended when it's genuinely needed, and every case is planned in detail. Your plan is shaped by:
✔ The amount of healthy tooth that's visible above the gum
✔ The position of your gum and the bone supporting the tooth
✔ Whether the reason is functional, aesthetic or both
✔ The restoration planned afterwards, such as a crown or veneer
✔ Your gum health and oral hygiene
Our focus is on comfort, precision and long-term oral health, so your gums heal well and your results stay stable.
Crown lengthening is a dental procedure that exposes more of a tooth's surface by gently reshaping the surrounding gum and, in some cases, bone. It can create better access for restorative treatment, or improve the balance and proportion of your smile.
The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic and planned to ensure healthy healing and stable long-term results.
Discover what patients say about their care at Harley Private, from their first conversation with our team to their treatment experience.
Crown lengthening may be recommended for functional or aesthetic reasons, and your dentist will explain which applies to you.
Functional reasons
Crown lengthening may be required when:
✔ A tooth is broken or decayed below the gum line
✔ There isn't enough visible tooth structure to support a crown or filling
✔ A restoration needs better access for long-term stability
A crown needs a healthy margin of tooth to hold on to, and it needs to sit where your gum can stay clean and comfortable. In these cases, crown lengthening creates a predictable foundation for restorative treatment, and can help save a tooth that might otherwise be extracted.
Aesthetic reasons
Crown lengthening may also be used to:
✔ Improve the appearance of a "gummy smile"
✔ Create more balanced gum levels
✔ Improve tooth proportions for cosmetic treatment
If your teeth look short because gum covers part of them, reshaping the gum can reveal their natural length and create a more balanced smile.
Careful reshaping of the gum and, where needed, the supporting bone, to give a tooth a secure foundation for a crown or filling or to balance your gum line. Crown lengthening starts from £275 per tooth, and your exact fee is confirmed in a clear written quote before treatment begins.
Assessment, X-rays and treatment planning
Treatment under local anaesthetic
Reshaping of gum and, if needed, bone
Clear aftercare instructions
Healing review before your crown or filling
Post-treatment review and aftercare guidance
For teeth that need more visible structure before a new crown can be fitted securely. Crown lengthening from £275 per tooth, plus a custom ceramic crown from £925.
Assessment and treatment planning
Crown lengthening procedure
Healing period and review
Custom ceramic crown, from £925
Final fit, bite check and polish
Post-treatment review and aftercare guidance
Bite assessment where required
Personalised quote after your consultation
We offer finance options through Chrysalis Finance to help make treatment costs more manageable. This allows eligible patients to spread the cost of treatment over time with clear, structured repayments. 0% finance is available on 12-month plans, and longer terms are available at a representative 14.9% APR, subject to status and approval.
Our finance calculator provides an indicative example of how treatment costs may be spread into monthly payments based on a 14.9% APR. Simply enter the estimated treatment cost and select a repayment term to view a guide price. Figures shown are for illustration only. Final repayment amounts will be confirmed following consultation and finance approval.
Using the calculator does not commit you to treatment or finance. It is designed to help you understand your options clearly, without pressure. Full details, including repayment terms and eligibility, will always be explained before you proceed.


Your consultation is designed to give you clarity and reassurance. We’ll assess your suitability and provide a personalised plan, so you can make an informed decision without any pressure.
Both treatments reshape the gum line, but they're used for different reasons. This comparison gives you an honest overview of each.
These frequently asked questions are designed to provide clear, honest information about crown lengthening. If you have further questions, these can be discussed in detail during your consultation.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so it's usually comfortable. Some tenderness or mild swelling during healing is normal and can usually be managed with simple aftercare.
Initial healing usually takes a few weeks, although full healing can take longer depending on how much gum or bone was reshaped. Your dentist will advise on timing before any crown or filling is placed.
No. It's only recommended when there isn't enough visible tooth to support a restoration safely and predictably. Your dentist will explain why it's needed in your case.
Crown lengthening starts from £275 per tooth. The final cost depends on how many teeth are involved and whether bone needs reshaping. We'll give you a clear written quote after your assessment, and finance is available.
In cosmetic cases, it can improve gum balance and tooth proportions. In functional cases, any changes are focused on supporting a restoration rather than altering how your smile looks.
Gum contouring reshapes gum tissue only, usually for cosmetic reasons. Crown lengthening can also involve reshaping bone, and is often done to prepare a tooth for a crown or filling.
We'll wait until your gums have healed and settled before taking final scans for your crown, so it fits well and looks natural. Your dentist will confirm the right timing at your review.
We assess your teeth, gums and bite, discuss your goals, explain your options, and give you a personalised plan and quote.



If you’d like to book an appointment, have a question about our treatments, or need further information, our friendly team is here to help.