Many factors determine the shape of our smile. One of the first things we see when we smile is our teeth, but if you have excess gum tissue, your pearly whites may not shine as brightly. A crown lengthening procedure can help fix that.
Why would you need a crown lengthening procedure?
It’s helpful to understand a little about tooth anatomy to clearly understand the benefits of a crown lengthening procedure.
Teeth have two essential parts: the root that dives below the gumline and the crown that is visible above it. Gingiva (gum tissue) surrounds the crown and holds it in place. The amount of gum surrounding the crown varies from person to person.
In some cases, excess gingiva results in what dentists refer to as a “gummy smile.” While there is nothing structurally problematic with a gummy smile, the amount of gum visible in relation to the teeth may affect a person’s self-confidence in their smile.
The functional application of a crown lengthening procedure is when a tooth needs dental restoration for a crown but there is not enough natural crown above the gumline for a proper attachment. In this case, a crown lengthening is necessary to complete the restoration.
It may be helpful to think of crown lengthening as “gum shortening.” Removing gum tissue reveals more of the natural tooth, either for cosmetic purposes as a gummy smile treatment or to help with a dental restoration.
How is a crown lengthening procedure done?
A crown lengthening procedure is performed with a local anesthesia. The length of the procedure depends on the number of teeth involved. For a gummy smile, more of the front of the mouth will be involved. Even if you are only getting one tooth prepared for a dental restoration, your dentist will likely perform the gum lengthening on neighboring teeth for a more natural result.
If you have a temporary crown on the affected tooth, your dentist will remove that before performing the crown lengthening procedure.
Once the gums are numb and any temporary dental restorations are removed, your dentist makes small cuts to allow the gum to pull away from the tooth. It may also be necessary to remove a small amount of bone from the roots of the teeth.
The area is then washed thoroughly, stitched up, and bandaged.
What is a crown lengthening procedure recovery like?
Overall, crown lengthening procedure recovery time is usually around three months. Gums need time to heal and firmly attach to the newly-exposed crown. Plan to relax and take it easy on the day of your crown lengthening and for a couple days afterwards as well. While this is a routine dental surgery, crown lengthening recovery is greatly improved if you allow yourself time to rest and recover.
Each patient’s recovery is different, but in general, you can take the following steps to ensure your comfort as you heal.
Take prescription pain medication as prescribed
Your dentist will prescribe prescription pain medication for a few days after the procedure. Follow directions for this prescription for best results.
After your prescription, use over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen as directed for pain relief and relief of swelling.
H3: Use ice for swelling
For post-surgical swelling, apply an ice pack for the first hours after surgery. This can be repeated in a 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off pattern for both pain relief and swelling.
Care for the surgical site
Your dentist will apply a surgical dressing that will be changed in a week or so. They will let you know what period is best for your crown lengthening procedure.
Practice careful dental hygiene
Dental hygiene remains important during this time, but additional care is needed.
Gently brush teeth in the surgical area, and do not floss the surgical site until instructed to do so by your dentist. Brush and floss all other teeth as normal.
Avoid hot, spicy, or extra crunchy foods
For the first 24 hours, avoid all hot foods as this can prolong bleeding. After that, avoid foods that are spicy or extra crunchy as they can irritate (or dislodge) stitches.
In general, a diet of soft and easy-to-eat foods is best for the week following your crown lengthening. Yogurt, soup, soft vegetables, and pasta are all good choices for nutrition and healing. Remember to drink plenty of fluids, too.
Wear your dental appliance, if needed
Some patients will receive a clear stent or denture to protect the surgical area. Do not remove for at least 24 hours (or as instructed by your dentist).
If the stent or denture pools with blood, you can rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater or chlorhexidine rinse without removing the dental appliance.
Avoid alcohol and smoking
If you smoke, this is a great time to quit. Tobacco can inhibit healing times. Alcohol is an irritant that can also irritate the surgical site.
Protect the surgical site
It can be tempting to check the surgical site frequently, but moving your lip or poking the area can prolong healing times.
Follow the above guidelines and trust that your crown lengthening recovery is proceeding well. Your dentist will check the site for you and let you know how healing is going.
Should I expect crown lengthening pain or other risks?
While most dental surgeries come with some discomfort after the fact, crown lengthening pain during the procedure itself is rare and should not occur. Your dentist uses a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort. If you are concerned about crown lengthening pain, talk to your dentist about alternatives such as nitrous oxide to relax during the procedure or a mild sedative prior. In some cases, the anticipation of pain is worse than the procedure. Taking steps before surgery can help calm your fears.
There are some crown lengthening risks to be aware of. As with all surgeries, there is a minor risk of infection, but this is rare.
Teeth in the area of the surgery may be more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures for a time, and the tooth itself may appear longer than neighboring teeth. The tooth may also feel loose, and if it needs to be removed in the future it may be challenging to place an implant.
AZ Dentist is your cosmetic dentist in the Phoenix area. Whether your crown lengthening is to treat a gummy smile or to prepare your teeth for a dental restoration, we can help. Get in touch today!