Crown lengthening treatment removes excess gum tissue from around one or more of your teeth, exposing additional tooth structure above your gumline. This may be recommended if you have a “gummy” smile or to provide better access to correct issues with decayed or broken teeth or infected gums.
During treatment, your gums are moved away from your tooth and jawbone. The bone will be smoothed, if needed, prior to reattaching the gums lower on the teeth. With more tooth structure showing above the gumline, your teeth now appear longer and your gums less prominent.
FAQs
Q1. What is crown lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a procedure that reshapes the gumline (and sometimes the supporting bone) to expose more of the tooth. Prestige Dental may recommend it to improve the look of your smile or to prepare a tooth for a crown.
Q2. Why would I need crown lengthening before a dental crown?
If a tooth is too short or broken below the gumline, there may not be enough visible tooth structure to securely place a crown. Prestige Dental uses crown lengthening to create the proper foundation for a strong restoration.
Q3. Does crown lengthening hurt?
The procedure is done with local anesthesia, so you should feel comfortable during treatment. Afterward, mild soreness is normal. Prestige Dental provides aftercare guidance to support smooth healing.
Q4. How long does it take to heal after crown lengthening?
Initial healing often takes a couple of weeks, but full healing can take longer depending on the case. Prestige Dental will explain your timeline and when your final restoration can be placed.
Q5. Can crown lengthening fix a gummy smile?
Yes, in many cases crown lengthening can reduce the appearance of a gummy smile by reshaping the gumline to show more natural tooth surface. Prestige Dental will evaluate your gum and tooth proportions to see if it’s the right option.**