Crown lengthening is done for two primary reasons: to improve oral health or as a cosmetic procedure that makes teeth look longer and better. For patients with a gummy smile, a crown lengthening procedure from a San Diego Dentist Association member is the right choice to remove excess gums and improve the appearance of the mouth and teeth. The procedure contours and reshapes the periodontal tissue allowing for more exposed tooth near the gum line, and it can be done for a single tooth, several teeth or the whole top or bottom arch.

Reasons To Have Crown Lengthening

A common and relatively easy procedure, crown lengthening can make a big difference and provide remarkably satisfying results in a variety of cases. Crown lengthening is the solution you need for these and other situations:

  • Filling a damaged tooth. When a tooth is damaged below the gum line, crown lengthening can be performed on a single tooth to prepare the area for a filling or other restoration work. The tooth could have been damaged by decay, disease or trauma.
  • Dental crown. If you have a cracked, broken or decayed tooth that needs a dental crown, you will very likely require crown lengthening so the prosthetic crown can properly fit over the remaining portion of the natural tooth without gum damage or infection.
  • Cosmetic issues. If you have a gummy smile or for any other reason have a smile where too much of your gums show, crown lengthening can improve your looks and reduce pocket depth around teeth for better oral health.

What Does Crown Lengthening Involve?

When you come to the San Diego dental office you choose for crown lengthening, the process begins with a consultation to make sure the procedure will meet your needs and desires. The procedure itself is done under local anesthesia and can take from 30 to 60 minutes or longer, depending on whether bone as well as gum tissue needs to be removed and how many teeth are involved. In many cases, a dental crown already in place will need to be removed and replaced, adding to the time involved.

Your SDDA dentist begins with small incisions into gum tissue so that it can be gently tugged away from teeth, allowing for access to tooth roots and the bone below. Often, only a small amount of gum tissue needs to be removed. Sometimes, however, some bone must also be removed with a drill.

Once the procedure is done, the treated area is protected with a special periodontal bandage to fight infection, and you may be given both a prescription for pain as well as an antimicrobial rinse. The site may take up to 3 months to fully heal. When surgery is done for cosmetic benefit, you will see a remarkable difference in how the treated teeth look – longer and more natural.

To learn more or for your crown lengthening consultation, reach out to a San Diego Dentist Association member today.