Crown lengthening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that is used to address teeth that look too small due to being covered with excessive gum tissue. The result is a dental condition known as a gummy smile.
Crown lengthening is also used for therapeutic reasons. The treatment can be used to expose the lower part of a tooth so it can be treated for conditions like tooth decay. It is also used to expose more of a tooth so it can be fitted with a dental crown.
Crown lengthening is primarily used in cosmetic dentistry to remove excessive gum tissue so a person's smile looks more natural. It is a standard treatment for a gummy smile or short teeth. During the treatment, the dentist can also sculpt the patient's gum line, making their gums appear more even.
Patients get a shot of a local anesthetic at the start of their crown lengthening treatment. This numbs the area being worked on so they do not feel any pain. Once an anesthetic has been administered, the dentist makes cuts into the patient's gums and pulls gum tissue away from teeth.
For some people, removing gum tissues is enough to expose more of a tooth, but others might also need to have bone structures removed if the tooth is being covered up by them. When the treatment is over, the patient's mouth is sterilized with a saline solution, and any incisions made are sutured up.
Crown lengthening is a safe treatment that dentists perform often. It does require oral surgery, which necessitates the patient to be healthy enough to recover. The advantages of using crown lengthening to improve the appearance of your smile include:
Crown lengthening requires incisions to be made into the patient's gums, and that requires time to heal. The area worked on might be sore or swollen after the treatment. Recovery can be as short as a few days for some, while others might be a bit sore for weeks. How extensive the treatment is and the number of teeth fixed often determines the duration of the recovery period.
Patients might be given a prescription for pain relievers after their treatment. The dentist might also advise them to use ice to reduce any swelling that occurs. The ice pack should be placed on the cheek for 20-minute intervals on and off.
Giving the body all the nutrients it needs to heal also helps speed up the recovery period. Patients should stick to soft and liquid foods for the first week after the surgery to avoid aggravating the area.
Call or visit our Rowley clinic to learn more about how crown lengthening can be used to improve the way your teeth look.
Request an appointment here: https://rowleyfamilydental.com or call Rowley Family Dental Center at (978) 364-8516 for an appointment in our Rowley office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Cosmetic Dentistry in Rowley, MA.
Cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the aesthetics of your smile. It might involve treatments that improve how your teeth appear or treatments that alter the way gum tissues at the base of your teeth look.Cosmetic dentistry often combines various treatments to address all of the issues that negatively impact the appearance of the patient’s teeth.…
Learning more about available cosmetic dentistry options is the first step to getting a new smile. One of the more common problems people experience that make them want to get a new smile is that they are missing one or more of their teeth. Dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option due to the…
Cosmetic dentistry is the branch of dentistry that aims to address aesthetic issues like a gummy smile. Your smile is one of the most noticeable parts of your appearance, and it can be the difference between making a good or bad impression.One common reason that people seek cosmetic dentistry is to address gummy smiles. This…
Cosmetic dentistry is the specialty that focuses on improving the way that the teeth appear. Additionally, cosmetic dentists make an effort to improve overall function. There are many different cosmetic dentistry options for improving one’s teeth and gums, making it necessary to understand how each works. Ready to learn more?Understanding the different types of cosmetic…
Veneers fix crooked, chipped, cracked, damaged, or stained teeth by concealing cosmetic issues beneath thin shells. CEREC® (Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic) offers a more comfortable procedure by reducing the amount of time a patient must spend in the dentist's office. This type of restoration can be completed in a single appointment — but…
Dental fillings can last a long time, but they are not life-long restorations. Most fillings will need to be replaced after around a decade, with some types lasting longer than others. If you are wondering whether it is time to replace your old dental filling, be aware that as long as it is continuing to…