Many people are self-conscious about their teeth being short because of their gummy smile. Your teeth may be the proper length, but your gums need to be corrected to improve your smile. At Think Oral Implants and Periodontics, Dr. Ting can perform crown lengthening by taking excess gum and bone tissue and reshaping it to expose more of the tooth. This can be done on one tooth or a complete gumline, depending on the patient’s needs. Sometimes it is used to be able to add a crown or bridge for some patients.
Why do I need crown lengthening?
Our periodontist may suggest crown lengthening to patients with:
- A tooth that has broken off at the gumline
- Their gumline extends too far along the tooth to get a restoration
- Their tooth is too weak for a restoration
- Their crown or filling has fallen off and has decay underneath it.
What happens during a crown lengthening procedure?
Before a crown lengthening, Dr. Ting takes x-rays. During your next visit, you are given local anesthesia. Next, Dr. Ting removes soft tissue surrounding one or more of the patient’s teeth. For some patients, bone may need to be removed. An incision will be made to pull the gums away from the teeth and to expose the roots. When tooth restoration is taking place, Dr. Ting will place a temporary crown over the affected tooth before stitching the gums together.
There are three types of crown lengthening surgery: surgical extrusion, apically repositioned flap surgery, or gingivectomy. Dr. Ting can make a professional suggestion for which one will suit your oral health best. This depends on if you have bone loss, the appearance of your tooth root, the position of the tooth that needs crown lengthening, and the crown to root ratio.
Recovery
After your crown lengthening procedure, you will be given anti-inflammatory medication. A cold compress will help with any pain or swelling after your surgery. While in recovery, we recommend consuming soft foods. Be sure to rinse your mouth after meals. During the first few days of healing, your gums will continue to shrink as swelling goes down. If your crown lengthening procedure is on a tooth in the back of your mouth, full recovery can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks. For teeth in the front of the mouth, healing takes anywhere from three to six months.
Schedule an appointment to learn more about crown lengthening
When you want to fix your teeth with crown lengthening, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ting at Think Oral Implants and Periodontics. He will evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if you’re a candidate for this surgery. To schedule this consultation with our professional dental team, call 610-550-3333. We serve patients in Paoli, Malvern, Berwyn, and the surrounding Pennsylvania communities with advanced periodontal procedures and dental implant treatments.
