Crown Lengthening

A crown lengthening is the process of the removal of excess gum and bone to expose more of the natural tooth. Crown lengthening may also be referred to as crown exposure.

Crown lengthening removes excess gum tissue and bone to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This treatment is often performed to correct a “gummy smile” or to provide more tooth structure for a dental crown. Dental crown lengthening may be performed when there is not enough tooth structure above the gum line to support a dental crown or filling. It may also be performed to make cosmetic changes to the gum line.

How long will the procedure take?

The treatment can be completed in one or two visits. The appointments are scheduled for one week apart. During the first appointment, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. The dentist will then reshape the gum line by separating it away from the tooth and removing any unnecessary tissue. The dentist will use a laser to reshape the tissue and remove any bacteria.

Benefits of crown lengthening procedure

• Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that offers several benefits. The most common benefit of a crown lengthening procedure is that it improves the health of the gum tissue by removing excess tissue that is blocking access to the underlying tooth.
• Another benefit a crown lengthening procedure offers is that it improves the esthetics of a smile. If a tooth is “short” due to excessively developed bone, crown lengthening can expose more of the tooth’s structure. This can improve the overall look of the smile.