Crown Lengthening
Crown Lengthening in James Island
Crown lengthening may improve the health of the gum tissue, prepare the mouth for a procedure, or correct a “gummy smile”. A “gummy smile” is an instance where teeth are covered with excess gum tissue resulting in a less esthetically pleasing smile.
The procedure involves reshaping or recontouring the gum tissue and bone around the tooth in question to create a new gum-to-tooth relationship. Crown lengthening can be performed on a single tooth, many teeth, or the entire gum line.
Do I Need Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is often required when a tooth needs a new crown or other restoration, or when the edge of that restoration is deep below the gum tissue and not immediately accessible. It’s also usually too close to the bone or below the bone.
Crown lengthening allows us to reach the edge of the restoration, ensuring a proper fit to the tooth. It should also provide enough tooth structure, so the new restoration will not come loose in the future. It also allows cleaning around the edge of the restoration when brushing and flossing to prevent decay and gum disease.
Crown lengthening takes approximately one hour, but largely depends on the number of teeth involved, and if any amount of bone will need to be removed. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthetic and involves a series of small incisions around the tissue to separate the gums from the teeth.
All our doctors are trained to perform surgical crown lengthening. When the dentist is satisfied the teeth have sufficient exposure and the procedure is completed, the incisions will be cleaned with sterile water. Sutures and a protective bandage are then placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship.
The teeth will look noticeably longer immediately after surgery because the gums have now been repositioned. A follow-up visit is scheduled in one or two weeks to remove the sutures and evaluate your healing. The surgical site should be completely healed in about two to three months after the procedure.
