Do I Need Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is an outpatient treatment in which the main goal is to contour the gum tissue for either dental restoration or to fix a gummy smile. A gummy smile is when the gum tissue covers more tooth structure than it should, making teeth look very small. The gummy smile can be genetic or the result of periodontal disease, in which case, the disease needs to be addressed before correcting the gum line.

When used with a dental restoration, crown lengthening works to provide more tooth structure for the restoration to adhere to. If a crown is placed on a tooth that does not have enough surface area for the crown to stick to, the area could become a food trap, and the crown might fall off repeatedly.

Do I need crown lengthening?

Your dentist is gonna be the first person to identify if you need crown lengthening for a dental restoration. If they determine that there is not enough surface area on the tooth, they will refer you to a periodontist for treatment. For example, if a tooth fractures and the break goes below the gum line or severe decay reaches below the gum line, crown lengthening can help provide better access to the tooth for restoration.

If you have a gummy smile, your dentist will still be able to provide the name of a trusted periodontist to provide treatment. Crown lengthening for a gummy smile is usually considered a cosmetic treatment, so dental insurance may not cover any of the cost. Some offices offer in-house financing, but may also accept third-party financing through a company such as CareCredit.

What is the procedure for crown lengthening?

The crown lengthening procedure is done using a local anesthetic. An incision is made in the gum tissue to allow your doctor to access the underlying bone structure. They will then shave off and smooth the bone before suturing the gum tissue back in place. Sometimes, the gum tissue can be trimmed and contoured without affecting the bone.

What happens after crown lengthening?

Postoperative care is the best way to make sure that your surgery site heals properly and quickly. Your doctor will provide you with a set of instructions to follow while you heal, which will include modifications to your diet and oral hygiene care. For a few days immediately after surgery, it is important to stick to a soft foods diet, taking care to avoid anything crunchy or spicy. Omitting alcohol and tobacco products will greatly speed recovery, as well as avoiding strenuous work.

Oral hygiene after crown linking can mostly remain the same, but you will need to take care not to brush or floss the surgery site until your periodontist clears you for a regular diet and oral hygiene routine. You can take a Q-tip to gently clean the surgery site until you can brush again.

If you have a gummy smile that you would like to correct, speak with your dentist to see if they recommend crown lengthening. They will refer you to a periodontist with whom they are familiar, so you know you are in the best hands for your care.

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