What is the Crown Lengthening Procedure?

A dental crown is a protective cap that fits over a natural tooth for either aesthetic or structural reasons. A crown might be recommended if a tooth is cracked, broken, or misshapen. A crown is also used to complete a dental procedure, like a bridge, root canal, or dental implant. The crown must be firmly affixed to an existing tooth.

Crown lengthening can help a tooth. Your dentist can perform crown lengthening by recontouring gum tissue and even bone to expose more of the tooth’s surface for a crown. It is a common procedure and usually takes less than an hour.

The Purpose of a Crown Lengthening Procedure

Crown lengthening may be necessary if there is not enough of the tooth visible to secure the crown on its own. A tooth that is broken or affected by tooth decay can prohibit a crown from attaching properly.

A crown lengthening procedure reduces gum tissue and shaves down bone if necessary, so more tooth is exposed. A properly fitted crown will allow better oral hygiene and comfort.

Crown lengthening can alter a gummy smile, which is when more gum is visible than teeth when smiling.

What Happens During a Crown Lengthening Procedure

Your dentist will perform the crown lengthening as an outpatient procedure. This simply means you will go home afterward. The time the procedure takes will vary depending on the number of teeth that need the procedure and whether soft tissue and bone both need to be removed. If you have a temporary crown on a neighboring tooth, your dentist might remove it before the procedure and replace it afterward.

You may receive local anesthesia and might even receive a sedative as well. The dentist slits the gums to pull them away from the tooth, exposing the roots and bone. In many cases, only the gum tissue needs to be removed. The dentist washes the surgical area with salt water before suturing. They suture the gums back together, sometimes adding a bandage over the area for additional protection.

You might feel some pain after the local anesthesia wears off, so your dentist might prescribe you pain relievers and a specialized mouth rinse to help your gums heal.

Possible Risks with a Crown Lengthening Procedure

There is a slight risk of infection with crown lengthening, but no more than with any other surgical procedure. You should follow the postoperative care instructions to help prevent any infection. Do not hesitate to contact your dental office with any questions during your recovery.

You could experience some bleeding at the surgical site following the procedure, and your teeth might be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. The sensitivity will diminish with time. Your tooth may look longer than the neighboring teeth, and if any bone was removed, the tooth could feel looser. If you lose a tooth in the future, the crown lengthening may make it more difficult for your dentist to place a dental implant.

The Recovery Process

The recovery time for this procedure is about three months. You can resume normal functions as your gums heal. You need to avoid any strenuous activity for the first two or three days. A physically demanding job, any heavy lifting, or heavy exertion might inhibit your healing and result in more bleeding.

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