At SKY Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, we are committed to providing comprehensive care to ensure your oral health and aesthetic goals are met. One of the treatments we offer is crown lengthening, a procedure that can address both functional and cosmetic concerns related to the appearance and health of your gums and teeth. If you have excessive gum tissue covering your teeth or are experiencing difficulty with placing crowns or restorations, crown lengthening may be the solution you need.
Crown lengthening can improve the overall appearance of your smile by reshaping the gumline, or it may be performed to prepare a tooth for a dental restoration like a crown. This procedure allows our team to ensure that both your teeth and gums are healthy, creating a harmonious balance for a smile that’s not only beautiful but also functional.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure designed to reshape the gum tissue and, in some cases, the underlying bone. This process exposes more of the tooth structure, allowing for the proper placement of a dental crown or other restorations. It can also help patients who have a "gummy smile," where the gums cover a significant portion of the teeth, making them appear shorter than they are.
This procedure can be done for both functional and cosmetic reasons, and it is often performed by a periodontist, like those at SKY Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, who have specialized expertise in gum health and oral surgery.
There are several reasons why crown lengthening may be necessary or beneficial, including:
In some cases, patients may need a crown placed over a tooth that is damaged or decayed. However, if the tooth is severely worn down or covered by too much gum tissue, there may not be enough tooth structure visible to support the crown. Crown lengthening can expose more of the tooth structure, making it possible to properly fit a crown or other dental restorations.
A gummy smile occurs when a significant portion of the gums is visible when a person smiles, making the teeth appear shorter. This is often due to excess gum tissue that covers the teeth. Crown lengthening can remove some of this excess tissue, creating a more balanced, aesthetically pleasing smile.
For patients who have deep gum pockets or are experiencing gum disease, crown lengthening may be necessary to help improve oral health. By removing excess tissue or reshaping the gums, this procedure can allow for better cleaning and improved gum health.
If tooth decay extends below the gumline, it may be difficult for a dentist to access the decayed area. Crown lengthening can expose the decayed portion of the tooth, allowing the dentist to remove the decay and place a filling or crown.
Crown lengthening is typically a straightforward procedure that can be performed in a single visit. Here’s what you can expect:
Before the procedure, you will meet with one of our experienced periodontists at SKY Periodontics & Implant Dentistry for a thorough examination. We will assess the health of your teeth and gums, take X-rays if needed, and discuss your goals for the procedure. This will help us determine whether crown lengthening is the right treatment for your needs.
Crown lengthening is performed under local anesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. Depending on the complexity of the procedure and your preferences, we may also offer sedation options to help you relax.
During the procedure, the periodontist will carefully remove excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth structure. In some cases, a small amount of bone may also be reshaped to achieve the desired result. This is particularly important when a tooth is severely covered by gum tissue, and more of the tooth needs to be exposed for proper restoration.
After the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort, swelling, and sensitivity in the treated area. These symptoms can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses. You will be given detailed post-operative instructions on how to care for your gums and promote healing. It's important to follow these instructions to prevent infection and ensure optimal results.
Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days, but full recovery may take several weeks. During this time, your gums will heal, and the reshaped tissue will contour naturally around the newly exposed tooth structure.
Crown lengthening offers several benefits, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality:
Crown lengthening is an excellent solution for patients with a gummy smile. By reshaping the gums, this procedure enhances the overall appearance of the smile, making the teeth appear longer and more proportionate.
If you need a dental crown or other restoration, crown lengthening can expose more of the tooth structure, ensuring that the restoration fits properly and securely. This is especially important for teeth that are severely decayed or damaged.
By removing excess gum tissue, crown lengthening can make it easier to maintain proper oral hygiene. This helps prevent gum disease and promotes overall gum health.
When a crown or other restoration is placed over a tooth, it can restore the tooth's function, allowing for better chewing, biting, and overall dental function.
After crown lengthening, it’s important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by our team to ensure proper healing. Here’s what you can expect during the recovery process:
While most patients experience only mild discomfort after the procedure, pain relievers may be recommended to help manage any soreness. Swelling is common but should subside after a few days. Applying a cold compress to the treated area can help reduce swelling.
You may need to stick to a soft-food diet for the first few days following the procedure to avoid irritating the treated area. Avoid chewing on the side of the mouth where the procedure was performed until healing is well underway.
It's important to continue brushing your teeth, but you should avoid the treated area for the first few days to prevent irritation. Our team will provide you with specific instructions on how to care for your mouth during the recovery process.
You will be scheduled for a follow-up visit to ensure that the gums are healing properly. If necessary, we may make additional adjustments to the gumline to achieve the best aesthetic result.
Crown lengthening is generally well-tolerated, and local anesthesia is used to ensure you are comfortable during the procedure. Any discomfort post-surgery can be managed with pain relievers.
Full recovery usually takes a few weeks. Swelling and mild discomfort are common in the first few days, but most patients can return to normal activities within a few days.
Yes, crown lengthening can significantly improve the appearance of your smile by removing excess gum tissue and exposing more of your natural teeth. This creates a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing look.
Crown lengthening is necessary when there is not enough tooth structure exposed to support a crown. It is often required for teeth that are severely decayed or covered by excessive gum tissue.
The results of crown lengthening are permanent, and the reshaped gumline will remain stable as long as you maintain good oral hygiene and overall dental care.
Yes, crown lengthening can be performed along with other treatments such as dental implants, fillings, or restorations. Your periodontist will determine the best course of action based on your specific needs.
Insurance coverage for crown lengthening varies depending on the reason for the procedure and the specific insurance plan. We recommend checking with your provider to verify coverage.
After crown lengthening, you will need to follow specific aftercare instructions, including avoiding certain foods and taking care to maintain oral hygiene without irritating the treated area.
Crown lengthening is a safe procedure, but as with any surgery, there are risks of infection, excessive bleeding, or unfavorable healing. However, these risks are rare and can be minimized with proper care.
Yes, by reshaping the gum tissue, crown lengthening can improve gum health, especially for those with deep gum pockets or excess tissue that makes it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene.
