The word “crown” we’re referring to is the visible part of the tooth that appears above the gum line – the teeth you see when you smile. Sorry, ladies and gents, these crowns aren’t gold and covered with jewels. That’s a topic for another day.
Crown Lengthening 101
You might be wondering how to lengthen your crown. This doesn’t involve adding more to the tooth, but rather working with what’s already there. Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that removes gum tissue, bone, or both to expose more of the natural tooth. It can be done to just one tooth or a mouthful. It’s a fairly common procedure performed by a general dentist or a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in gums and other supporting structures of the teeth.
Crown lengthening can be an elective procedure to enhance a smile. People who have a “gummy smile” (excess gum tissue around teeth) might choose to undergo this procedure to feel more confident about their smile. Sometimes, there’s not enough tooth above the gum line to support a crown or filling, so crown lengthening will be necessary prior to restorations. In dental emergencies when a tooth cracks or breaks off at the gum line, the crown might need to be lengthened to preserve the tooth.
This is a straightforward procedure. Although we’re talking oral surgery, it’s a fairly quick process that should have you in and out of the dental chair within an hour or so. Prior to crown lengthening, dental x-rays are taken to access tooth placement, crown length, etc., and a professional dental cleaning is highly recommended. The surgery consists of cutting and reshaping the gum tissue, which exposes roots and bones. Depending on the patient, sometimes just gum tissue is removed, but it’s possible to have bone removed as well. After the crown is lengthened, the area will be sterilized and stitched up. Note, you shouldn’t feel much of anything thanks to local anesthesia! If your anxiety is really high, ask for a sedative to calm your nerves.
The full recovery for crown lengthening is a few months in total. Stiches are removed within a week or two, and a follow-up appointment is scheduled for about month later. Here are a few tips to aid in recovery and avoid any setbacks.
- Abstain from alcohol and tobacco as directed by the doctor
- Avoid rinsing and eating hot foods for the first 24 hours
- Brush your teeth carefully by going around the sore gums
- Eat soft foods for the first couple days and chew with other teeth
- Ice your face over the surgical area to reduce swelling
- Lay off strenuous activities for a few days (exercising, heavy lifting, etc.)
- Use your prescription pain reliever and mouth rinse
As with any surgical procedure, there are always risks involved, but the odds are in your favor. Some bleeding in the beginning is common as well as sensitivity to hot and cold since the tooth’s root was exposed. Always call your dentist ASAP if bleeding doesn’t stop, swelling gets worse, or there are signs of infection (fever, pain, pus, swelling).
If you have any questions or concerns regarding crown lengthening, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.