Crown lengthening is a dental treatment that helps make your smile look better and function better. It involves reshaping your gums and sometimes the bone to show more of your tooth. However, it is important to consult a professional Calgary dentist to ensure you get an effective and safe treatment.
The Purpose of Crown Lengthening
- Improving tooth visibility: It helps expose more of the tooth’s structure, which is essential for placing dental crowns or other restorations.
- Improving aesthetic appeal: For patients with a “gummy” smile, crown lengthening can make the teeth look longer and more even.
- Facilitating dental restorations: It helps dental crowns and other repairs fit better by showing more of the tooth.
- Accessing deep cavities: If a tooth has a cavity below the gum, crown lengthening can help by making it easier for the dentist to treat the tooth.
When is Crown Lengthening is Necessary?
- Gummy smiles: A gummy smile happens when too much gum covers your teeth, making them look short. Crown lengthening cuts away the extra gum, so your teeth look longer and better.
- Facilitating dental crowns: For a dental crown to fit properly, there needs to be enough of the tooth sticking out above the gums. Crown lengthening makes more of the tooth visible, which helps if the tooth is broken or damaged below the gums.
- Accessing deep cavities: Deep cavities under the gum line can be difficult to handle. Crown lengthening makes the tooth easier to clean and repair, keeping it healthy and functioning well.
Benefits of Crown Lengthening
Improved Aesthetic Appeal
Crown lengthening makes your smile look nicer by removing extra gum tissue. It shows more of your teeth and can fix uneven gum lines. This is helpful if you have a lot of gum showing.
Improved Dental Restoration Fit
To make sure dental crowns or veneers work well, your tooth needs enough structure. Crown lengthening removes some gum tissue to show more of the tooth, which helps the restorations fit better and last longer.
Better Access for Dental Treatments
If a tooth has extensive decay or damage below the gum line, crown lengthening provides access to the affected areas. This allows for effective treatment of deep cavities, enhancing the overall health and longevity of the tooth.
Who is a Candidate for Crown Lengthening?
- Extra gum tissue: If your gums are covering too much of your teeth, this procedure can help show more of your smile.
- Need for restorative work: If a tooth needs a crown but there’s not enough tooth showing to attach it, crown lengthening can make more of the tooth visible.
- Decayed or broken teeth: Teeth with significant damage or decay may need additional length to accommodate restorative work.
- Esthetic concerns: To make your smile look better, you might choose crown lengthening for a more balanced appearance.
Types of Crown Lengthening Procedures
Surgical Crown Lengthening
Surgical crown lengthening is a dental procedure where the dentist removes part of the gum and sometimes bone to show more of a tooth. This is usually done if a tooth is broken below the gum or doesn’t have enough of it to support a crown.
During the surgery, the dentist will cut the gum to move it away from the tooth and, if needed, remove some bone. Then, the gum is moved back to a new place, showing more of the tooth.
When is it Needed?
This procedure is done when there isn’t enough of the tooth visible above the gums to put a crown or filling on it firmly. It’s also used to fix a gummy smile or prepare a tooth for a bigger repair.
Cosmetic Crown Lengthening
Cosmetic crown lengthening improves your smile by removing extra gum tissue. This makes your teeth look longer and your smile more balanced.
During cosmetic crown lengthening, the dentist adjusts your gum line to improve your smile. This makes short teeth or uneven gums look better.
When is it Needed?
This procedure is perfect for people who want their teeth and gums to look better. It helps with how much of your teeth show and how your gums look.
Laser-Assisted Crown Lengthening
Laser crown lengthening uses lasers to gently remove gum tissue. It’s better than older methods because it’s more accurate and causes fewer side effects.
- Minimal discomfort: Lasers can reduce the discomfort often associated with traditional methods.
- Reduced healing time: Laser procedures often result in quicker healing and less postoperative discomfort.
- Less bleeding: The laser cuts and seals at the same time, so there’s less bleeding.
When is it Needed?
Laser-assisted crown lengthening improves how your teeth look and work. It’s a fast, less painful way to fix your smile with a quick recovery.
The Procedure: What to Expect
- Pre-procedure consultation: Your dentist will look at your teeth and gums, discuss your needs with you, and decide if you need crown lengthening.
- Preparing for the procedure: Your dentist will give you advice on how to get ready, like what to eat or drink. They might also take X-rays.
- Local anesthesia: On the day of the procedure, you’ll get a shot to numb the area so you won’t feel pain.
- Gum tissue reshaping: The dentist will carefully remove some extra gum tissue and, occasionally, a little bit of bone to reveal more of the tooth.
- Cleaning and stitching: After reshaping, the dentist will clean the area and put in stitches, which may dissolve on their own.
- Post-procedure care: We’ll give you simple care instructions, including what to eat, how to brush and floss, and how to handle any discomfort. If you have questions, we’re here to help!
Recovery and Post-Procedure Care
Recovery after crown lengthening can vary, but here’s a general idea of what to expect:
Post-Procedure Care: Expect some swelling and pain. Use ice packs and take pain relief as your dentist suggests.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Visit your dentist again to check your healing and catch any issues early.
- Oral Hygiene: Keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing gently. Be sure to avoid the area that was treated.
- Diet Recommendations: Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the side that was treated. Stay away from spicy, hot, or hard foods.
- Signs of Complications: Contact your periodontist if you notice excessive swelling, prolonged bleeding, infection, non-healing, or gum recession.
- Full Recovery: Most people heal within a few weeks, with reduced discomfort as your gum tissue adjusts.
Conclusion
Crown lengthening can improve both how your smile looks and functions. Knowing what to expect and how to care for yourself afterward will help you decide if this treatment is right for you. Following your dentist’s aftercare tips and watching for any problems will help ensure the best results.
If you’re considering crown lengthening, talk to a periodontist in Calgary at Inglewood Family Dental. Their team is here to help you get a healthier and more beautiful smile.
Contact us today to book your consultation and find out how crown lengthening can help you.