Crown lengthening in Turkey: what it is and why it is done
Crown lengthening is a minor gum operation that exposes more of the natural tooth. The dentist or periodontist removes a small amount of gum, and often a thin layer of the bone around the tooth, so that a longer part of the tooth sits above the gum line. It has two main uses. The first is functional: a tooth has broken or decayed below the gum, and there is too little healthy tooth above it for a crown or filling to hold. The second is cosmetic: a "gummy smile", where short-looking teeth are partly covered by gum, is reshaped to show more tooth. Dental clinics in Turkey offer it as a short outpatient procedure, often combined with crowns or veneers.
This guide explains how the procedure works, who needs it, what the evidence says, what it costs compared with the UK, US and Germany, how long healing takes and how to choose a clinic. For the wider choice of treatments see our dental treatments in Turkey.
Why would a tooth need crown lengthening before a crown?
A dental crown is cemented around a prepared tooth, and it needs enough clean, healthy tooth above the gum to grip. Dentists often talk about the "biological width": the band of gum attachment that the body keeps between the gum and the bone. If a crown edge is placed too close to the bone, the gum tends to become inflamed and bleed, and the bone can wear away. When a tooth has broken off at gum level, or decay reaches below the gum, there is not enough tooth above the attachment. Crown lengthening moves the gum and bone margin away from the damaged area so the crown edge can sit on healthy tooth without crowding the gum.
The alternative to surgery is to pull the tooth up slowly with a brace (orthodontic extrusion), or to extract the tooth and replace it. The dentist should explain why they suggest crown lengthening for your tooth. The same rules about tooth height and healthy gum apply when a tooth will carry a bridge; see dental bridge installation.
Crown lengthening or gum-only contouring: which one do you need?
These are related but different operations, and the name on a quote does not always tell you which one is meant.
| Approach | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Crown lengthening (gum and bone) | Broken or decayed teeth needing a crown; gummy smile caused by bone | Surgery with stitches; healing before the final crown |
| Gum contouring only | Gummy smile where excess gum covers normal-sized teeth and bone is correct | Does not give extra tooth height if bone is the limit |
| Orthodontic extrusion | A single tooth that can be raised slowly without surgery | Takes weeks; the neighbouring gum may need reshaping |
For a gummy smile the cause can be excess gum, short teeth, an overactive upper lip or the bone position. Only a clinical examination and X-rays show which, and the answer decides whether gum contouring alone will do.
How is crown lengthening done, step by step?
The operation is done under local anaesthetic and takes about 30 to 60 minutes for one to three teeth.
- Assessment: X-rays and measurements of the gum and bone around the tooth show how much needs to be exposed. Gum disease or decay is treated first.
- Anaesthesia: the area is numbed. Sedation is available for anxious patients.
- Incision and gum reshaping: the dentist lifts the gum, or removes a thin strip with a scalpel or soft-tissue laser, to expose the tooth.
- Bone reshaping: if needed, small hand or rotary instruments remove a thin layer of bone to restore a healthy distance between bone and the future crown edge.
- Stitches and dressing: the gum is stitched back at its new level, sometimes covered by a protective dressing.
For a cosmetic case the same steps are planned for a symmetrical gum line across the front teeth.
Does crown lengthening work, and what does the evidence say?
Crown lengthening is a long-established periodontal procedure, and it reliably gives more exposed tooth when the gum and bone are reshaped as planned. The American Academy of Periodontology and the NHS both list it as a way to prepare teeth for restoration or to improve a gummy smile. The main uncertainty is what the gum does afterwards: the margin can drift slightly during healing, so the final crown is normally made after the gum has settled. For cosmetic cases the outcome depends on a correct diagnosis of the cause; if the upper lip is overactive, surgery alone may not give the change expected.
Crown lengthening cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures are approximate ranges per tooth or treated area, not clinic quotes. Each clinic confirms its own price in writing.
| Country | Approximate cost range per tooth |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €100 – €400 |
| United Kingdom | €300 – €900 |
| United States | €600 – €2,500 |
| Germany | €250 – €900 |
The price depends on whether bone is reshaped as well as gum, the number of teeth in the area, use of a laser, and whether the temporary crown, X-rays and follow-up visits are included. A cosmetic gum line across six front teeth costs more than a single molar. The crown or veneers that follow are priced separately, so ask for a written breakdown of both stages.
Who is a good candidate, and who is not?
Good candidates are adults with a tooth that cannot be restored because too little remains above the gum, or whose gummy smile is caused by gum or bone that can be reshaped, and whose gums are otherwise healthy. Active gum disease must be treated first. Crown lengthening is less suitable for a tooth with a short root, because removing bone could weaken its support; for teeth next to others where bone removal would affect the neighbours; or when the real cause is a very active upper lip. People who smoke heavily, have uncontrolled diabetes or take blood thinners need a careful assessment because healing and bleeding can be affected.
How many days do you need in Turkey for crown lengthening?
The surgery itself is short, but the gum needs time to heal before the final crown or veneers are made. Many clinics prepare the tooth, perform the lengthening and fit a temporary crown in the first days, then ask you to stay two to three days or to return after about four to eight weeks for the final restoration, once the gum margin has settled. Some clinics fit the crown sooner and accept a small risk of the gum line moving; ask the dentist to explain the timing for your case. A stay of three to five days covers the surgery and the first check-up.
Recovery after crown lengthening: what to expect
Expect tenderness, mild swelling and a little bleeding for a few days, with the gum feeling sore for up to a week or two. The dentist prescribes painkillers and often an antiseptic mouthwash. Eat soft, cool food, avoid hot drinks and spicy food, and brush gently away from the surgical area until the dentist says otherwise. Stitches are removed or dissolve after seven to fourteen days. Most people return to work after one or two days. Teeth may feel more sensitive to cold because more root surface is exposed.
The gum continues to remodel for several weeks. The healed result is normally judged after about six to twelve weeks.
What do the results look like, and what do photos not show?
After healing, the treated tooth is visibly longer, and the gum line is neater and symmetrical in a cosmetic case. Before-and-after photos show the change in tooth height but not the bone work beneath, how the gum behaves over time or whether the neighbouring teeth were affected. The change is permanent in the sense that gum and bone removed do not grow back, although the gum edge can shift slightly during healing. Ask to see cases like yours, and accept that a very large gum change may need a combination of treatments.
Risks and complications of crown lengthening
Common effects are pain, swelling, bleeding and sensitivity to cold. Less common problems include infection, gum recession that exposes more root than planned, a longer-looking tooth, loss of some bone support and, rarely, damage to a neighbouring tooth. If too much gum is removed it cannot be replaced easily, which is why a careful diagnosis matters. The NHS and the American Academy of Periodontology advise choosing a dentist experienced in gum surgery and keeping up cleaning and check-ups afterwards.
How to choose a dentist, red flags and questions to ask
Choose a dentist registered in Turkey who explains why crown lengthening is needed for your tooth, shows the X-rays and gives the plan in writing. Red flags include recommending surgery for every tooth without measurements, no X-rays, a quote that does not separate the surgery from the crown, no explanation of healing time, and no plan for problems after you travel home. Read how our process works and request a plan through our free quote page. Good questions:
- Is bone being reshaped as well as gum, and why?
- How long must the gum heal before the final crown, and what protects the tooth meanwhile?
- Will this be done with a scalpel or a laser, and does that change the price?
- What if the gum line moves after healing, and who will correct it?
- Who can treat me if I have bleeding or pain once I am home?
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
Crown lengthening is a small gum operation in which the dentist removes gum and sometimes a thin layer of bone to expose more of the tooth. It is used to make a broken tooth ready for a crown or to correct a gummy smile.
Approximate ranges are €100 to €400 per tooth in Turkey against about €300 to €900 in the UK. The price depends on whether bone is reshaped, the number of teeth and whether a laser is used; the clinic confirms its price in writing.
The gum is numbed during surgery. Afterwards most people have tenderness and mild swelling for a few days, managed with prescribed painkillers, cool soft food and gentle cleaning.
The gum feels sore for a week or two and stitches are removed or dissolve after seven to fourteen days. The gum keeps remodelling for several weeks, so the final result is judged after about six to twelve weeks.
Dentists usually wait about four to eight weeks so the gum margin settles before the final crown is made. A temporary crown protects the tooth in the meantime. The exact timing is decided for your case.
The treated tooth looks longer, and in a cosmetic case the gum line is neater and symmetrical. Photos show tooth height but not the bone work, so ask for cases similar to yours.
No. Gum contouring reshapes gum only, while crown lengthening may also reshape bone. Gum contouring suits excess gum over normal teeth, whereas bone reshaping is needed if the bone limits the amount of tooth showing.
Gum and bone that are removed do not grow back, so the change is lasting. The gum edge can shift slightly during healing, which is why the final crown or veneers are made after it has settled.
Possible problems include pain, swelling, bleeding, infection, sensitivity to cold, gum recession that exposes root and a longer-looking tooth. Choosing an experienced dentist and a clear aftercare plan reduces the risk.
A stay of three to five days normally covers the surgery and first check-up. The final crown or veneers may need a second visit after the gum has healed, or a longer stay if the dentist agrees an earlier fitting.