Periodontics · Crown Lengthening · National Cost

How much does crown lengthening cost?

Average Crown Lengthening cost in the US: $1,005-$2,630

🏥 Based on ADA fee survey data
📊 Population-weighted national average
🔄 Updated May 2026
✓ Reviewed by Pearl clinical team
$1005 – $2630

Typical Crown Lengthening range across the United States

📍 All 50 states covered 🏥 PPO typically covers up to ortho max

National average

$1540

Crown Lengthening · D4249

What is this procedure?

About this procedure

Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure that exposes more of a tooth's structure above the gumline. There are two common reasons it's done: functional crown lengthening (to give a dentist enough tooth above the gum to place a filling or crown when decay or fracture extends below the gumline) and esthetic crown lengthening (to correct a "gummy smile" by reshaping the gum tissue around front teeth).

The procedure is typically performed by a periodontist or oral surgeon under local anesthesia, takes 30-60 minutes per tooth, and requires 6-12 weeks of gum healing before a crown or filling can be placed. Functional crown lengthening is the more common procedure and is sometimes billed alongside an upcoming crown.

Price factors

What affects this cost?

  • Number of teeth: Single-tooth crown lengthening is significantly cheaper than full smile-line cases (6-10 teeth for an esthetic gummy-smile correction).
  • Functional vs. esthetic: Functional crown lengthening for restorative needs is usually quoted as a single-tooth procedure. Esthetic crown lengthening involves multiple teeth and detailed gum sculpting.
  • Soft tissue vs. bone removal: Some cases require only gum reshaping; others need bone recontouring (osseous crown lengthening), which is more expensive.
  • Periodontist vs. general dentist: Periodontists charge more but handle complex cases with better long-term outcomes.
  • Sedation: Local anesthesia is usually included; IV sedation is separate ($200-$700+).

By state

Where does this cost the most and least?

Pearl tracks pricing across all 50 states. Below are the highest and lowest cost markets — click any state for a full state-level cost breakdown across covered cities.

Highest cost states

Lowest cost states

Quote checker

What should your quote include?

Different providers bundle costs differently. Here's what a complete quote typically covers — and what's often left out.

USUALLY INCLUDED IN THE QUOTED PRICE

  • Initial consultation and treatment planning
  • Local anesthesia
  • Surgical reshaping of gum tissue (gingivectomy)
  • Bone recontouring if needed (osseous surgery)
  • Sutures (typically dissolving)
  • Post-op instructions and follow-up

OFTEN BILLED SEPARATELY — ASK BEFORE YOU AGREE

  • Crown or restoration on the lengthened tooth (separate procedure, 6-12 weeks later)
  • IV sedation or general anesthesia
  • Cone-beam CT imaging if needed
  • Replacement work if the gum tissue regrows unexpectedly
  • Whitening or other cosmetic procedures done alongside

Health stakes

What happens if you delay treatment?

  • Without crown lengthening, a deeply broken tooth may be unrestorable and require extraction
  • Placing a crown over a margin that's below the gumline leads to chronic inflammation and eventually crown failure
  • A "gummy smile" can affect self-confidence and is harder to correct cosmetically without crown lengthening
  • Skipping crown lengthening to save cost often leads to higher long-term costs (extraction + implant + crown)

Before you agree

Questions to ask your provider

  • Is this functional or esthetic crown lengthening for my case?
  • How many teeth need the procedure?
  • Will bone be reshaped, or only soft tissue?
  • How long until my permanent restoration can be placed?
  • Will the gum tissue grow back over time?
  • Should this be done by a periodontist or can my general dentist handle it?

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Functional crown lengthening (needed for a restorative procedure) is typically covered at 50-80% by most PPO plans, classified as a major periodontal procedure. Esthetic crown lengthening (purely for a gummy-smile correction) is rarely covered, since insurers treat it as cosmetic.
Most patients have moderate gum tenderness for 5-7 days. Soft-food diet for the first week. Stitches dissolve in 7-10 days. Full gum healing takes 6-12 weeks, after which the crown or filling can be placed. Esthetic results from gummy-smile correction can take 3-6 months to fully settle.
Simple functional crown lengthening can be done by a general dentist. Complex cases — multiple teeth, esthetic gummy-smile correction, or cases requiring bone recontouring — are usually better handled by a periodontist for predictable results.
Some minor regrowth is normal. A well-performed crown lengthening should give long-term stable results, but patients with thick gum tissue or aggressive healing may see some tissue rebound. Your periodontist can advise based on your gum biotype.
For functional cases, sometimes orthodontic extrusion (slowly pulling the tooth up with braces) can move enough tooth structure above the gum to avoid surgery — but it's slower and more expensive. For esthetic gummy-smile correction, some cases can be improved with Botox to relax the upper-lip muscle, though this is a temporary fix that needs repeating every 3-4 months.

See local pricing

Compare what this costs in your city.

Pearl's cost data covers 485 U.S. cities. Search by procedure and zip — get a localized fee range and what to expect from your insurance.

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