Crown Lengthening Surgery: a Procedure Exposing More of the Tooth’s Surface

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps fitting over a natural tooth for structural and aesthetic purposes. Crowns are recommended when teeth are cracked, broken, or misshapen. Crowns are also useful to accomplish dental procedures like dental implants, root canals, and bridges.

Crown lengthening exposes more of the tooth surface if necessary because the crowns are fixed firmly on existing teeth. This article provides information on the crown lengthening procedure. Please continue reading to determine whether you need crown lengthening for any reason.

The Purpose of Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening becomes necessary if sufficient tooth structure isn’t available to hold the crown by itself. Broken or affected teeth prohibit dental crowns from attaching firmly to the teeth. Reducing gum tissue is the aim of crown lengthening surgery performed by a periodontist by shaving down bone if necessary to ensure more of the tooth is visible above the gum line.

A correctly fitted crown allows you to maintain appropriate oral hygiene comfortably. Many people seek crown lengthening from the dentist in Coquitlam to alter a gummy smile where more gums are visible when smiling.

Preparing for Crown Lengthening

Before your crown lengthening procedure, you meet with your periodontist and provide your medical history for them to view. During the appointment, the periodontist takes x-rays using digital radiography and inquire about any medications you take. The specialist lets you know if you need to discontinue any medicines before the procedure.

The periodontist may fit you with a temporary crown until you can undergo the procedure. The temporary restoration projects your tooth in the meanwhile making the fitting of the new crown comfortable.

The Crown Lengthening Procedure

The periodontist performs the crown lengthening procedure in an outpatient setting. The outpatient setting enables you to go home immediately after the system. The time required by the method varies according to how many teeth are undergoing the process and whether soft tissue and bone removal are necessary. If you have temporary crowns on neighboring teeth, the periodontist removes them before the procedure to replace them afterward.

You receive local anesthesia before the procedure, but if you are anxious, you can request sedatives, which the periodontist provides if required. After your soft tissue is numb, the specialist cuts the gums to pull them away from the teeth to expose the roots and bone. In some cases, only gum tissue needs removal. The surgical area is washed with saltwater by the surgeon before suturing. The gums are sutured back together and with a bandage over the site if required for additional protection.

You can experience pain after the local anesthesia wears off. However, the periodontist prescribes pain relievers along with a specialized mouth rinse to help your gums heal.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening procedures do have some risks that are familiar with any surgical procedure. If you wish to prevent infections, you need to follow all post-operative instructions. You can contact the dentist in Coquitlam with any questions if required during your recovery.

You may experience some bleeding at the surgical site after the crown lengthening procedure. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures may affect your teeth. The sensitivity will subside soon, making your tooth appear longer than the adjacent teeth. If bone removal was necessary, the tooth might feel loose. Should you lose your tooth in the future, you may have challenges getting a dental implant because of the crown lengthening procedure.

Recovering from Crown Lengthening

Approximately three months are required to recover from the crown lengthening procedure. You can resume your regular activities as your gums heal. However, you must try to avoid strenuous activities during the initial two or three days. If you have a physically demanding job, heavy exertion can inhibit the healing process besides causing bleeding.

The dentist performing the surgery provides all the instructions on the specifics of your recovery. You can even follow some tips mentioned below for help.

• You must take any prescription or over-the-counter medications recommended by the dentist.
• If you experience swelling on your cheeks, you can use an ice pack for the first few hours after the procedure switching over to moist heat a couple of days after the surgery.
• During the first 24 hours, you must avoid hot foods.
• Leave any bandages in your mouth for seven to 14 days.
• Exercise care when brushing on the biting surfaces where the bandages are applied. You can brush and floss as you usually do in the other areas.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking and stick to a diet of soft foods trying to avoid the surgical site.
• Keep yourself hydrated by having plenty of fluids.

Oral surgeries are gaining traction and becoming more efficient and effective. Crown lengthening is a standard procedure performed for dental and aesthetic purposes. When performed by an experienced professional, you can expect the process to proceed smoothly to increase the health and longevity of your teeth.