CROWN LENGTHENING?
Crown lengthening is a dental procedure where the dentist adjusts the gum level to reveal more of the tooth’s surface. This can be done to fix a “gummy” smile, make room for a crown or other dental work, or to treat a damaged tooth below the gumline.
| PROCESS FOR CROWN LENGTHENING:
- Assessment: Initially, the dentist evaluates your teeth and gums to determine the extent of crown lengthening needed and ensures you’re a suitable candidate for the procedure.
- Anesthesia: Before starting, the dentist numbs the area around the tooth to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure.
- Reshaping: Using specialized instruments, the dentist carefully removes excess gum tissue or bone to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This is done precisely to achieve the desired height and shape.
- Contouring: After adjusting the gum level, the dentist shapes and contours the gum tissue to create a natural-looking gum line that enhances the appearance of the teeth.
- Healing: Your gums will need time to heal after the procedure. The dentist may provide instructions for proper care to promote healing and prevent complications.
- Follow-up: You’ll have follow-up appointments to monitor healing and ensure the crown lengthening was successful. Depending on the initial reason for the procedure, further dental work like placing a crown may follow.
Crown lengthening is a straightforward procedure that can improve both the aesthetics and functionality of your smile, providing a more balanced and harmonious appearance to your teeth.
| BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT FOR CROWN LENGTHENING
Before crown lengthening, you may have had excessive gum tissue covering your teeth, making them appear short or uneven.
After the treatment, your teeth will look longer and more proportional, enhancing your smile’s appearance and allowing for better fitting of dental restorations like crowns or veneers.
| Conclusion:
In conclusion, crown lengthening is a valuable dental procedure that enhances both the aesthetics and functionality of the smile. By carefully reshaping the gum line, it allows for better access to the tooth’s surface and improves the fit of dental restorations. Whether addressing a “gummy” smile or preparing for further dental work, crown lengthening offers patients the opportunity to achieve a more balanced and confident smile.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Crown lengthening is a dental procedure that involves removing gum tissue and sometimes bone to expose more of a tooth’s surface. It’s often done to prepare a tooth for a dental crown or to improve the appearance of a “gummy” smile.
You might need crown lengthening if your tooth is broken or decayed below the gumline, or if you have excess gum tissue that makes your teeth appear short or uneven.
The length of the crown lengthening procedure can vary depending on the number of teeth involved and the extent of the treatment needed. Generally, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour per tooth.
Your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area, so you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. Afterward, you may experience some discomfort or swelling, but this can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
The recovery period for crown lengthening is typically around 1-2 weeks. During this time, you may need to stick to a soft diet and avoid certain activities that could irritate the treated area, such as vigorous brushing or flossing.