Do I Need Crown Lengthening
A person’s smile says a lot about them. It can reveal their emotions or be used to attract romantic partners. However, when someone feels insecure about the appearance of their smile, it can negatively impact their self-confidence, making them feel anxious or depressed. In these cases, patients may be curious about their treatment options and may wonder if a crown lengthening procedure would be appropriate for their needs. This article will examine who is a candidate for the procedure and why it may be an appropriate treatment option.
Crown Lengthening Overview
The visible part of the teeth that protrude out of the gums, the crowns are the pearly whites of the smile. A dental procedure that reshapes the gums at the base of a tooth to expose additional surface area, dentists perform crown lengthening in order to reveal more of the tooth’s crown. The procedure is relatively painless and straightforward as it moves the gums closer to the tooth root.
Performed while the patient is under local anesthetic, the periodontist reduces and contours the affected areas of the gums. In some cases, a small portion of gum tissue may be removed. The ultimate goals is to create better symmetry at the gumline while lengthening the teeth to an appropriate level.
Most patients will not require any post-operative care and any pain or discomfort is easily manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Patient can return to work and begin eating soft foods the day after the crown lengthening surgery though full recovery of the gums may take up to two weeks.
Do I Need Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is frequently used to improve cosmetic appearances but can also be useful in correcting functional issues as well.
- Functional Crown Lengthening: If the dentist identifies tooth decay that is not easily accessible, crown lengthening may be necessary. Often this is needed when decay is hidden deep below the gums and cannot be addressed without performing the crown lengthening. The procedure does not result in permanent change as the dentist or periodontist will put the gums back in place after removing the decay. If a restorative crown is needed, the lengthening procedure also creates more tooth structure for the dentist to mount the new crown onto. In cases where a tooth has partially fractured, crown lengthening can be performed to salvage the tooth by bringing the gumline down to reveal more tooth structure which allows the dentist to mount a crown.
- Cosmetic Crown Lengthening: The procedure can also be cosmetic as it is useful for creating a more visually appealing smile. Patients with irregular gumlines, may find the procedure creates a more natural, symmetrical, and visually pleasing appearance. Patients that have a “gummy” smile, where the gums come down too far on the teeth making them appear shorter and disproportionate to the size of their face, may also find a crown lengthening procedure appealing. By moving the gums to a more natural level, the periodontist is able to reveal the teeth creating a more pleasing smile for the patient.