PERIODONTAL SERVICES
- Treatment Methods
- Scaling and Root Planing
- Gum Grafting for Receding Gums
- Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
- Crown Lengthening
- Periodontal (Flap/Osseous) Surgery
- Bone Regeneration
- Bone Grafting
- Ridge Preservation
- Periodontal Maintenance
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening (or crown exposure) is required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration. The edge of that restoration is deep below the gum tissue and not accessible. It is also usually too close to the bone or below the bone.
The procedure involves adjusting the level of the gum tissue and bone around the tooth in question to create a new gum-to–tooth relationship. This allows us to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit to the tooth. It should also provide enough tooth structure so the new restoration will not come loose in the future. This allows you to clean the edge of the restoration when you brush and floss to prevent decay and gum disease. The procedure takes approximately one hour.
When the procedure is completed, sutures, and a protective bandage are placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship. You will need to be seen in one or two weeks to remove the sutures and evaluate your healing.
Crown lengthening is a procedure that essentially makes a tooth appears longer. There are two situations in which crown lengthening is typically used…tooth restoration or “gummy smile” correction.
Video For Crown Lengthening
Crown Lengthening for Tooth Restoration
General practitioners often refer for crown lengthening procedures prior to restoration of broken or severely decayed teeth. This procedure adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored.
Crown Lengthening for Aesthetics
You have probably seen people with what you would consider short teeth, or a “gummy” smile. While it may appear that their teeth are shorter than normal, it's often just a case of teeth being hidden behind the gums. By repositioning the gum line, you can improve your smile and the contours of your face.
One of the major advantages of crown lengthening is that it can often be completed in one visit with a simple anesthetic. Essentially, the excessive gum tissue that is hiding your teeth is removed to expose the normal length of the tooth.
With crown lengthening, you'll benefit from:
- enhanced teeth that no longer look short or like “baby teeth”
- a much more attractive smile
- an improved self-image and more self-confidence
- a relatively quick healing period with little pain
- visible results in as little as one week from surgery
Aesthetic Crown Lengthening (for gummy smiles)
Cosmetic for Short Teeth or a “Gummy Smile”: Reshaping the gum and supporting tissues provides your general dentist adequate room to place quality final crowns or veneer restorations. This cosmetic procedure is critical and necessary to establish a natural smile when the front teeth are too short, or uneven in length.
Case Studies for Crown Lengthening
Before and After Aesthetic Dentistry
Before Treatment-Short & Spaces Between Teeth After treatment-Cosmetic Crowns
