Crown Lengthening
If a tooth is too short for a crown, if a tooth has been broken, or if a tooth is buried in the gums, a crown lengthening procedure can help.
At Lifetime Dental Health we are able to perform crown lengthening procedures to improve the health of your gums, correct a “gummy” smile, or prepare your mouth for restorative procedures. Our skilled dentists use this technique to expose more of your natural tooth to allow crowns to bond with them securely. This often involves contouring or reshaping parts of the bone and gum tissue.
Who Is This Procedure for?
Crown lengthening procedures are useful when restoring damaged teeth, doing cosmetic enhancements, or placing new dental crowns.
- Tooth Restoration – When a tooth is broken or if severe damage is done by trauma and decay, a dental crown may need to be placed to save the tooth and prevent further damage. If a tooth has broken below the gum line, or if the tooth is very short, a crown lengthening allows dentists to properly prepare the tooth for its restoration.
- Cosmetic Use – Too much gum tissue around the teeth can increase your risk of periodontal disease and may cause a “gummy” smile. Crown lengthening procedures can be used to reduce your risk of gum disease while improving the aesthetic appearance of your smile.
What Does Crown Lengthening Involve?
During your initial consultation, Dr. Barry or Dr. Love will examine your teeth and gums to determine if crown lengthening is necessary.
You will be given a local anesthetic before the lengthening begins. Once you are comfortable, your dentist will begin to separate the gums from the teeth with small incisions, allowing him or her to reposition them as necessary. Your dentist will also have access to the underlying bone and roots. Some bone may need to be removed to allow your dental crown to securely bond to the tooth.
Once the lengthening is completed, any final crowns will be placed on the teeth. The total time for this procedure depends on how many teeth will need to be adjusted.
At Lifetime Dental Health, we care deeply about your comfort and security. Because of this, we offer sedation services to help you feel calm and at ease.
If you have any questions or wish to schedule an appointment, call our Columbus dental office at 614-451-2234.