Crown lengthening is a powerful and important procedure in our array of services. It can help patients who are self-conscious about their “gummy smile”, and it can help patients who need to give their dentist more access to remove decay or to place a structurally sound restoration.
There are two main types of crown lengthening:
When patients have short teeth or too much gum tissue showing when they smile, it may be due to a condition in which the bone and gums cover too much of enamel. Other times, patients may notice the gum lines of their teeth are uneven and draws attention when they smile. These conditions can be fixed by adjusting the bone and gum levels of the affected teeth so that all the natural enamel is exposed evenly and harmoniously. This allows for good hygiene and for a more pleasing smile.
Functional crown lengthening is a procedure designed to expose more of the tooth above the gums for restorative reasons. It is common in cases where the extent of the decay on a tooth is too deep for the dentist to access or if a crown or filling margin is placed too deep below the gums.
Like esthetic crown lengthening, the procedure involves adjusting the bone and gum tissue to a level that not only allows the dentist room to remove all decay and place a good, healthy restorative margin, but also keeps enough supporting bone around the tooth.
It usually takes 6-8 weeks before the gums are healed and stable enough for the final restoration. In cases where you are veneers or crowns on the front teeth after crown lengthening, please be aware that the it will take roughly 3 to 4 months before the gums are stable enough to proceed.
Crown Lengthening – Overview
Although both types of crown lengthening procedures have very routine healing and are relatively simple in nature, the importance of these cases lies in the exact measurements, planning, and respect for biology that ensures immediate and long-term success. These cases also require extensive collaboration between our periodontists and your dentists to ensure the best outcome is achieved.