Do I need crown lengthening?
Crown lengthening is not a particularly well-known dental procedure, though it is a simple and effective surgical procedure that serves both cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. There are three main reasons that people seek crown lengthening treatments: to repair damaged or decayed teeth; to support dental restorations; and to improve a gummy smile. If you think you might be a good candidate for crown lengthening, it’s helpful to understand what the procedure entails and how it might benefit you. In addition to educating yourself about the procedure, be sure to talk to your dentist to learn how a crown lengthening procedure might serve your needs.
The name of the crown lengthening procedure is self-explanatory. The crown of your tooth is the part of the tooth that is visible above the gumline; the root is beneath the gumline, firmly embedded in the bone of the jaw. In a crown lengthening procedure, a small amount of gum tissue is removed, making the crown itself appear longer. In some cases, the bone that lies beneath the gum must also be reshaped in order to allow the gum tissue to be comfortably affixed in its new position. A crown lengthening procedure may be performed on one tooth, or on a whole row of teeth -- or on any number in between, depending on the purpose of the procedure and the needs of the patient. Generally, the crown lengthening procedure can be completed in under a few hours, and the patient undergoes local anesthesia, though sedation can also be used.
If a person’s teeth are damaged below the gumline, a crown lengthening procedure allows the dentist to repair this damage completely and effectively. Damage may be sustained from trauma, like a fall, or from tooth decay or gum disease. Exposing the damaged surface of the tooth allows the dental professional to thoroughly repair the tooth and also to place a restoration, like a dental filling or a dental crown, if one is needed.
If a patient has a gummy smile, it may appear as if their teeth are unusually short and an excessive amount of gum tissue may be visible while smiling. In fact, if more than three millimeters of gum tissue is visible, the patient meets the clinical criteria for a gummy smile. If you’re bothered by a gummy smile, a crown lengthening procedure can help expose more of the surface of your teeth and improve and brighten your smile. Although this is a cosmetic procedure, it can often provide the added benefit of making the surfaces of the teeth and the areas between the teeth more accessible and therefore easier to clean.
Finally, if a patient needs a crown restoration on a tooth that is significantly damaged or broken, there may not be enough healthy tooth surface to securely place the crown restoration. If a restoration is placed on a tooth that is too small to effectively support it, this can result in discomfort or inflammation and may damage the gum tissue. A crown lengthening procedure exposes a greater portion of the surface of the tooth, allowing the dental professional to place a properly fitted crown restoration comfortably, safely, and securely.