Crown lengthening is a standard dental procedure that can significantly enhance the appearance and functionality of your teeth. This procedure involves reshaping the gum tissue and sometimes the bone around your teeth to expose more of the tooth structure. Whether you’re preparing for a new dental crown, addressing gum disease, or seeking to improve your smile’s aesthetics, understanding the ins and outs of crown lengthening is essential.  

You can receive high-quality care and confidence when you work with Silegy OMFS for your dental needs. We’ve been practicing for over 25 years and are known for our focus on customer service and customer experience. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about crown lengthening or other dental procedures. Here, we can explore the various reasons for crown lengthening, what to expect during the procedure, and how it can benefit your oral health.

Why Would Someone Need Crown Lengthening?

Typically, crown lengthening is a surgical procedure. Crown lengthening involves reshaping the gums around a tooth or multiple teeth. By reshaping the gums, there is increased exposure to a tooth’s structure, making specific treatments, procedures, and functions easier and safer to complete.

When someone’s tooth is too short, broken, decayed, or rotted below the gum line, crown lengthening can be an excellent option. Crown lengthening makes it possible for dentists to access healthier parts of the tooth’s structure. By accessing healthy parts of the tooth, dentists can add a dental crown or bridge without worrying about the structural integrity.

Who is Eligible for Crown Lengthening?

Before undergoing crown lengthening treatment, you should talk to a dentist about your candidacy. Generally, during an initial consultation, you and your dentist will discuss several factors related to your medical history, medications, allergies, past surgeries, and medical conditions.

While many candidates will benefit from crown lengthening, certain factors make an ideal candidate. While being a less-than-ideal candidate may increase certain risks or issues, crown lengthening may still be an option. On the other hand, other dental treatments may help you reach your goals more safely.

If you fit the following criteria, you may be an ideal candidate for crown lengthening:

• No severe health conditions, including
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Allergies to anesthetics
• Cardiovascular issues
• Gum disease or periodontitis
• Good dental health and hygiene habits
• Excess gum tissue, small teeth, or a gummy smile
• Tooth decay or damage
• Less-than-ideal tooth-to-root ratio

Depending on the circumstances, your dentist may require you to prepare in specific ways before your procedure. For example, if you have periodontitis, your dentist may require you to receive treatment for the health condition before allowing you to undergo crown lengthening procedures. 

What to Expect During a Crown Lengthening Procedure

Before the procedure, you may be fitted with a temporary crown to protect your tooth in the interim. This may also make it easier to fit a new crown, simplifying the fitting process for your dentist. 

You will also discuss your medical history and review or take X-rays. During these discussions and initial appointments, you should talk to your dentist about medications, allergies, anxieties, or other concerns. Your provider can then speak to you about how to prepare for the procedure.

You can expect your dentist to remove some soft tissue and bone during the procedure. There may be certain cases where the dentist only needs to remove gum tissue. The roots and the bone of the teeth may be exposed. If you were fitted with a temporary crown, this may also be removed and replaced later.

Most patients will receive local anesthesia, and you may be able to receive a sedative as well. 

Following the procedure, the surgical areas will be washed with salt water and sutured closed. Sometimes, a bandage will be placed over the affected area to provide additional protection.

After the anesthesia and sedatives have worn off, you are likely to feel some pain. Your provider will prescribe pain medications to help you manage pain. They may also prescribe a specialized mouth rinse to support and speed up the healing of the gums.

Crown Lengthening Benefits for Eligible Patients

There are several benefits associated with crown lengthening, especially when the procedure is used to supplement other dental procedures. Some of the benefits you may expect to experience may include the following:

• Improved symmetry and aesthetics in the gums
• Reduced appearance of gumminess in smile
• Enhance oral health
• More accessible to brush and take care of your smile
• Boosted confidence when used for cosmetic procedures
• Find and treat cavities under the gumline
• Expose and remove fractured areas of tooth
• Make it easier to fit devices like crowns and bridges
• Functionality of the teeth and gums

There may be additional benefits and purposes associated with crown lengthening that could benefit you. If you have any questions about your candidacy for crown lengthening and other necessary dental procedures, we encourage you to reach out to Silegy OMFS. We can provide answers, discuss concerns, and schedule a consultation when you contact us.

Contact Silegy OMFS Today: Get the Smile of Your Dreams Through Crown Lengthening and Client-Centered Care

When you work with Silegy OMFS for your dental needs, you can receive high-quality care and confidence. Working with Dr. Tim Silegy is an excellent option. When someone’s tooth is too short, broken, decayed, or rotted below the gum line, crown lengthening can be an excellent option. Crown lengthening makes it possible for dentists to access healthier parts of the tooth’s structure. By accessing healthy parts of the tooth, dentists can add a dental crown or bridge without worrying about the structural integrity.

For expert care and personalized treatment, trust Silegy OMFS. We prioritize your comfort and health, ensuring a seamless crown lengthening process. Whether it’s enhancing your smile or preparing for further dental procedures, we have the expertise to guide you every step of the way. Call us at (562) 521-8020 or complete our contact form to schedule your consultation.