Your gums have a huge affect on the look of your smile. A gum line that is uneven or too low can make your teeth look disproportionate, short, and even crooked. If you’re unhappy with the look of your gums, Southwest Oral Surgical Arts (SWOSA) can find the right procedure for you to help you obtain the smile of your dreams. We use the latest procedures and technology such as soft tissue lasers to decrease discomfort and give you the best end result possible. During your consultation, SWOSA will will evaluate your smile, listen to your concerns and wishes regarding your smile, and explain the treatment plan that is right for you.
Crown lengthening is a procedure used to reduce a “gummy” smile, an uneven gum line, and to make a tooth “longer” for certain crown placement situations. If a large portion of your gums show when you smile, you may not have short teeth, but just extra gum tissue that can be easily treated with this simple procedure.
Aesthetic Crown Lengthening
Do you feel your teeth look too short and your smile is too gummy or your gums cover too much of some teeth while leaving the others the right length? If so, dental crown lengthening might be the solution for you. During this procedure, excess gum tissue is removed to expose more of the crown of the tooth. Then your gumline is sculpted to give your new smile just the right look.
Crown Lengthening in Preparation for a Crown
In some cases a crown or bridge is recommended but there is not enough space to ensure longevity. Your General dentist may refer you to a periodontist for a crown lengthening procedure so your tooth will be long enough to support a crown or bridge.
Why would I need crown lengthening for my crown?
- If your tooth is severely broken down.
- Excess gum tissue.
- Decay below the gum line.
- A crown or filling has fallen off multiple times due to inadequate tooth structure.
What Should I Expect From a Crown Lengthening Procedure?
Your treatment plan will be designed for your individual needs and goals for treatment. During your comprehensive consultation, you and your periodontist will discuss your needs and your desires for treatment. The procedure will be explained in detail to you and any questions will be answered.
To treat a gummy smile, the area will first be numbed using local anesthetics. The excess gum tissue will be reduced and a new, beautiful gum line will be created. Even removing the smallest amount of gum tissue in the right area can make the biggest difference to your overall smile. Evening out your gums can give you a bigger, brighter, more confident smile. Crown lengthening to make room for a crown or multiple crowns is done in a similar manner. You will receive your crowns from your general dentist.
What comes next?
After the procedure, some post-operative soreness and swelling or some sensitivity is normal. We use the latest treatments and technology to reduce healing times, but some medication maybe be prescribed to increase healing and manage your discomfort.
During the first few days we recommend cold soft foods and rinsing with a medicated mouthwash to avoid irritating the area to promote healing. Staying away from crunchy foods and hard brushing will prevent soreness and speed up your healing time. Every patient is different, be patient if your healing takes longer than expected.
