Do you take my insurance?

We accept all PPO dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, MetLife, UnitedHealthcare, Guardian, Aetna, Principal, United Concordia and Beam. If your plan doesn't fully cover a visit, we'll walk you through all costs ahead of time.

What if I don't have insurance?

Our in-house membership plan starts at $490 a year for an individual, a little more than $1 a day. It includes two preventive hygiene visits a year, and other treatment comes with reduced co-pays. We also offer financing through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.

What happens at my first visit?

We review your medical and dental history, take dental X-rays, do a comprehensive exam, and clean, polish and floss your teeth. If anything needs treatment, we walk you through all costs ahead of time.

Are you open on Saturdays or evenings?

We're open until 7pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8am on Fridays, and 8am–2pm on the third Saturday of each month.

Free on-site parking at 20162 SW Birch St, with an elevator to Suite 200. We're a few minutes from John Wayne Airport.

Can you see me today for a toothache?

Call (949) 873-0022 right away. We offer same-day appointments whenever available.

Yes, we see kids. Please call us at (949) 873-0022 before booking so we can make sure the visit fits your child's age and needs.

Do you speak Spanish?

Yes, our front desk team speaks Spanish.

SERVICES

Newport Beach
Crown Lenghtening

When you hear the word “crown” at the dentist, you probably think of the cap put over a tooth to repair & protect it. And you’d be correct. But there’s another meaning to the word “crown” in dentistry.

What Is Crown Lengthening?

In a crown lengthening, the crown being referred to is the crown portion of your natural tooth. Dental crown lengthening is when gum tissue and/or bone is removed to expose more of a tooth, usually in order to repair it. If you have a tooth that is broken off at the gum line due to an accident or tooth decay, the dentist will need to perform a crown lengthening before repairing the tooth. That’s because there just isn’t enough tooth structure above the gums for an artificial crown (or a filling) to attach to. Trying to fit a crown on such a tiny foundation would make it ill-fitting, uncomfortable & at a higher risk of irritation, chronic inflammation, & further tooth decay & damage. It’s a better choice to remove some of the tissue around your tooth & seat the crown properly.

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The Enamel General Crown Lenghtening Procedure

The first step in the procedure is to gain access to the structure of your tooth. The dentist will make small cuts in your gum tissue to pull it away from your tooth, allowing access to the tooth root & your bone. In many cases, the bit of bone will need to be removed in addition to gum tissue. After the bone has been reshaped, the entire area will be washed & the gums stitched back together. Remember, you will not be able to feel any of this during the procedure because we will keep the area totally numb.

Crown lengthening is considered minor surgery in part because patients report relatively little pain in the recovery period afterward. Nevertheless, we recognize that people’s pain tolerances vary & we’ll recommend or prescribe the proper pain management medications in order to keep you comfortable after your crown lengthening. We’ll also provide all the instructions you’ll need for home care in order to make sure the incisions heal properly & comfortably, including how to clean the area & brush your teeth.

After about a week, you’ll come back to the office & we’ll remove the stitches & check how the healing process is going. Once your gums are fully healed, we’ll make arrangements for you to come in for your permanent dental crown.

What is crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a surgical dental procedure that removes excess gum tissue and, in some cases, reshapes the underlying bone to expose more of the natural tooth. It may be performed for restorative reasons, such as preparing a tooth for a dental crown, or for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a “gummy smile” and create a more balanced smile.

Why might I need crown lengthening?

Your dentist may recommend crown lengthening if a tooth is broken or decayed below the gumline and needs additional tooth structure exposed to support a dental crown or filling. The procedure is also commonly performed to improve the proportions of the teeth and gums when excessive gum tissue makes teeth appear short or uneven.

Is crown lengthening a painful procedure?

Crown lengthening is performed under local anesthesia, so you should remain comfortable during the procedure. It’s normal to experience mild soreness, swelling, or tenderness afterward, but these symptoms typically improve within a few days and can usually be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications, following your dentist’s instructions.

How long does it take to recover from crown lengthening?

Initial healing generally takes one to two weeks, although the gums may continue to mature for several weeks or months, depending on the extent of the procedure. Your dentist will provide personalized aftercare instructions and let you know when it’s appropriate to proceed with your permanent crown or other restorative treatment.