Crown Lengthening

What is crown lengthening?

A crown is a customized cap that is fitted over your tooth for structural or cosmetic reasons. If your dentist at Downtown Dental Studio recommends a dental crown, they may suggest crown lengthening if there isn’t enough of your original tooth in place to support the crown. This is often the case for patients with severe tooth decay or for those who’ve had an accident that resulted in broken teeth.

Crown lengthening is a common periodontal procedure that increases the amount of tooth structure visible above your gums. To lengthen your crown, your dentist removes gum tissue and shave off some tooth enamel. 

Crown lengthening procedures can also help alter the appearance of a gummy smile.

What happens during a crown lengthening procedure?

During a crown lengthening procedure, your dentist makes small cuts to pull your gums away from your teeth and expose more of your teeth. In some cases, removing some gum tissue exposes enough of the tooth for your dentist to place a crown. 

However, if you have too much soft tissue and bone surrounding your crown, your dentist may have to remove some bone from the area as well. 

Once enough of your tooth is exposed, your dentist washes the area with a sterile solution and stitches your gums back together. 

Crown lengthening usually takes less than an hour to complete, but it can vary. The amount of time your dentist needs for your procedure depends on the number of teeth that need lengthening and whether both soft tissue and bone need to be removed.

After the procedure, your dentist may prescribe medication for pain relief and a special mouth rinse to aid in your recovery. You may need to eat soft foods for the first few days until your sutures are removed.

Am I a good candidate for crown lengthening?

If you’re easily affected by tooth decay, a crown lengthening procedure can make it easier for you to take proper care of your teeth and avoid further decay. 

If you have uneven gums or are unhappy with the appearance of your gums when you smile, crown lengthening can improve both your overall dental health and your smile.

If you’re interested in a crown lengthening procedure, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to book a consultation today.