Crown Lengthening

Crown Lengthening for Dental Issues

Crown lengthening is a common cosmetic dental procedure that is routinely performed to re-contour gum tissue and bone, as needed, with the intent of making more tooth structure available for the placement of a dental crown or dental bridge. This is often the case when a tooth is decayed or otherwise damaged below the gum line.

It’s a procedure that is normally carried out using a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel a thing, and there should be little pain and discomfort afterward as your gums begin to heal. Because the surgery is carried out using laser dentistry, there is very little bleeding and less discomfort than normal. The procedure will take longer than gum recontouring if the bone needs reshaping or removing. Temporary crowns can be fitted while your gums heal.

Afterward, your periodontist will give you precise instructions on how to care for your mouth during healing, and if needed, can provide a prescription for pain relief for use once the anesthetic wears off. Your periodontist may recommend chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Using the rinse will help the healing process and reduce infection risk. It usually takes one or two weeks to recover fully, and initially, you will need to stick to eating softer foods, just as you would with a gum recontouring treatment. However, you should be able to return to work the next day, but you will need a follow-up visit with your periodontist approximately 4 to 6 weeks afterward.

Crown Lengthening for Cosmetic Purposes

Alternatively, a crown lengthening procedure can also be performed for reasons that are purely aesthetic to reduce the appearance of a “gummy smile” when too much of the gums and far too little tooth structure is displayed when smiling. Removing excess gum tissue helps expose more of the natural tooth underneath; sometimes, this might be all the treatment needed. It can be performed on a single tooth to make the gum line appear even with the other teeth or on several teeth to improve a smile’s overall appearance.

Crown lengthening is also used if you are unlucky to break off a tooth right near the gum line. When only a tiny part of a tooth is visible, it can be very difficult or near impossible to fit a crown successfully. Exposing more of the tooth will provide greater retention for the restoration, so your dentist can make and fit a crown successfully. If you have a crown lengthening procedure, it may be possible to fit a new crown or veneer soon afterward.

Once your gums are fully healed from a crown lengthening or gum recontouring procedure, you will be able to see the full impact of treatment. Sometimes it may be necessary for your periodontist to remove slightly more gum tissue to get a perfect shape.

If you have a gummy smile or need dental bridge or porcelain crown placement, consult our experienced dentists in Hackensack for more information. The faster you get appropriate treatment, the more likely your periodontist can restore your dental health with this solution.