The Crown Lengthening Procedure Explained along with the Healing Time and Risks

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps fitting over a natural tooth for structural and aesthetic reasons. Dentists recommend a dental crown if you have a cracked, broken, or misshapen tooth. Crowns are also helpful when completing dental procedures like bridges, root canals, and dental implants. Crowns must securely attach to a present tooth.

The Crown lengthening procedure is also helpful and performed by dental surgeons by recontouring gum tissue and bone in some cases. The process helps expose more of the tooth’s surface for a crown. This is a standard taking under an hour to complete.

The Reasons behind Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening becomes essential if there isn’t sufficient tooth in place to hold the crown by itself. Broken teeth or affected by decay prevent crowns from attaching firmly. Reducing gum tissue and shaving down bone whenever necessary is the goal achieved by crown lengthening. A correctly fitted crown allows better oral health and comfort. Some people seek this procedure to alter a gummy smile where the gums are visible above the teeth when smiling.

Preparing for Crown Lengthening

Your dental surgeon fits you with a temporary crown until you can have this procedure. The temporary crown protects your tooth in the meanwhile, making fitting of your new crown easier. Before your surgery, you meet with the periodontists in Coquitlam, BC, to give them your entire medical history and permit them to view your x-rays. During your appointment, you must discuss any medications you take with the surgeon to determine whether you need to discontinue any before the procedure.

Happenings during the Crown Lengthening

Your periodontist performs the crown lengthening in an outpatient setting. It indicates you can return home immediately after the procedure. The time required by the system varies depending on how many teeth need the process. The time will vary if both soft tissue and bone need removal. If you have temporary crowns on your adjacent teeth, they are removed by the periodontist before the process to replace them later.

Most people undergoing crown lengthening receive local anesthesia, but if required, you may request sedatives. Cutting your gums is necessary by the periodontist to pull them away from your teeth to expose the roots and bones. Some cases require only gum tissue removal.

Crown Lengthening Stitches

After completing crown lengthening, the periodontist cleans the surgical area with saltwater before suturing the gums back. They may also decide to place a dressing over the area for additional protection. You will likely feel some discomfort as the anesthesia begins wearing off. However, the periodontist prescribes pain relievers and a special mouth rinse to help heal your gums.

Crown Lengthening Risks

The risks of infections exist with crown lengthening, but they are no different from other surgical procedures. You must follow the post-operative care instructions provided by the periodontist to prevent infections. If you have any questions during your recovery, you can contact the dental office that performed the procedure.

You can expect some bleeding at the surgical site after this process, and your teeth may experience sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. The sensitivity will subside gradually, making your tooth look longer than the adjacent teeth. Your tooth may feel looser if the bone was also removed. If you lose teeth later, the crown lengthening might make it challenging for periodontists to place dental implants.

Crown Lengthening Recovery Time

You can expect the recovery time from crown lengthening as approximately three months. However, you can resume your regular activities as your gums heal. You must remember to avoid strenuous activity for at least 48 to 72 hours. A physically demanding job, heavy exertion, lifting, et cetera can inhibit the healing process by causing more bleeding.

Discuss with your surgeon the specifics of your recovery but follow the tips mentioned below as well.

• Take any medications prescribed by the surgeon as instructed without trying to exceed the dosage.
• For the initial few hours after crown lengthening, use an ice pack on your face to reduce swelling. After that, use an ice pack at 20-minute intervals and not longer. A couple of days after the surgery, you can switch to moist heat.
• Stay away from hot foods for the initial 24 hours, and don’t rinse your mouth.
• Leave the dressings in your mouth for 7 to 14 days, even if the surgeon replaces them once or twice during this period.
• You can brush and floss your teeth generally in all areas other than the site of the surgery.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking and prodding the site of the surgery or using straws for drinking liquids.

Oral surgeries are becoming more efficient and effective. Crown lengthening is a conventional dental procedure conducted for dental and aesthetic reasons. You can expect the process to proceed smoothly when performed by a highly qualified professional like the periodontist in Coquitlam. The procedure can also increase the longevity and health of your teeth.