Crown Lengthening
Some people suffer from gum recession that exposes tooth roots and makes teeth look too long. Others have the opposite problem, with gums that extent too far on the teeth, creating a “gummy” smile and the appearance of smaller than normal sized teeth.
If you suffer from the latter, it may affect your confidence and impact your social life. There’s no need to suffer with a smile that adversely affects your self-esteem. At Fioritto Family Dental, we’re happy to help you address both oral health and cosmetic dental concerns. We provide a crown lengthening procedure to help you achieve the perfect smile.
What is crown lengthening? What can you expect from the procedure? Here’s what you need to know if you’re unhappy with excess gum tissue.
What is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a procedure designed to address a “gummy” smile by reshaping the gum tissue to create a more attractive smile. When gum tissue covers too much of the tooth surface, it can make the teeth look small and result in a childlike smile. Most adults prefer to show more tooth surface to enjoy a bigger, brighter smile.
Crown lengthening begins with reshaping the gum tissue to draw them away from the teeth and expose more tooth surface. In some cases, the jaw bone may also extend over teeth, beneath the gums. In these cases, the jaw bone may have to be reshaped. Finally, the teeth may be reshaped to complete the overall transformation to attain a perfectly straight tooth line.
In some cases, additional cosmetic dental work may be required if the teeth still aren’t long enough after gum and jaw reshaping, or if the teeth are damaged beneath the gum line. In this case, we may discuss options such as crowns or veneers to complete your smile transformation.
What to Expect
Before crown lengthening occurs, you’ll have to be in good oral health. Your mouth will be assessed to determine the best course of action for the crown lengthening procedure and to determine if only gum reshaping is required, or if jaw reshaping may be necessary.
This is an outpatient procedure often performed under local anesthesia, possibly with a sedative, depending on the complexity and length of the procedure. Full healing can take up to three months, but most patients can resume normal activities within just a few days. Swelling and discomfort are normal following the procedure and can be treated with OTC pain relievers and ice packs.
The end result of your crown lengthening procedure will be the perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of! If you’re unhappy with your smile, it’s never too soon to correct it. Contact Fioritto Family Dental today at 440-951-5511!