Dental Crown Lengthening
Dental crown lengthening is periodontal surgery that exposes more of a tooth, by removing gum and possibly bone tissue. The procedure addresses both aesthetic and functional issues.
When Crown Lengthening is Needed
Some people have a naturally “gummy smile.” When gum tissue covers too much tooth structure for an attractive and balanced smile, crown lengthening is performed to help you achieve a more pleasing smile. By removing a little gum tissue and possibly bone tissue, teeth look longer and more esthetic. This procedure will be thoroughly discussed with you at your appointment.
In other cases, crown lengthening is necessary as a function to prepare a tooth so that your general dentist has enough tooth structure to place a restoration when:
- The tooth is broken off at the gum line.
- A fracture extends beyond gum tissue.
- A crown or filling has decay underneath the gum tissue.
What to Expect for Functional Crown Lengthening
Even if crown lengthening is only needed for one tooth, adjoining teeth may be treated for gradual transition in appearance. Your comfort is ensured with local anesthetic. Gum tissue is loosened away from the tooth to expose some of the root structure. Areas of decay or damage are removed and often times the adjacent bone needs to be recontoured to allow proper healing for the future restoration. The surgical area is cleansed with saline and the gum tissue in sutured in place. The objective of this procedure is to make the tooth “longer” for your general dentist to have enough tooth structure to place a proper restoration.
After a few days of soft diet, mouth rinse, and over the counter analgesics, healing should be well underway. You continue to brush and floss, but avoid the surgical site. Dissolving sutures may be used or sutures that will need removed in 2-4 weeks. After a time of gum tissue maturation, you will be ready to return to your general dentist for your filling and or crown restoration.