Crown Lengthening

You may have a patient who presents with a “gummy smile” where the teeth may actually be the proper lengths, but they’re covered with too much gum tissue.

To correct this, Dr Pitamber performs a dental crown lengthening procedure. During the dental crown lengthening procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one tooth, the gum line, or to several teeth to expose a natural, broad smile.

Crown lengthening may make a restorative or cosmetic dental procedure possible. Perhaps a tooth is decayed, broken below the gum line, or has insufficient tooth structure for a restoration, such as a crown or bridge. Crown lengthening adjusts the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so it can be restored.

How do we lengthen the crown of the tooth?

At the start of the treatment an anaesthetic is applied so that the patient does not feel any pain and minimal discomfort. Some of the gum around the tooth is very carefully removed and, if necessary, the gum and the hard surface of the bone will be worked upon. Tiny stitches are put into the gum to encourage the area to heal quickly and look aesthetically pleasing. We may also place a special bandage depending on the size of the incisions.

As the treatment is not invasive, most patients will not experience much pain afterwards. After the treatment we may prescribe painkillers if the patient feels uncomfortable. We give the patient clear aftercare instructions and a special rinse for them to use at home. Patients must not brush or floss in the treated area until it is fully healed as it can cause pain and dislodge the work, including the stitches.

After about a week the stitches should be ready to remove and the gums will go through a final healing process. The teeth are then ready for any further treatments such as crowns or fillings.

Is crown lengthening a serious procedure?

Crown lengthening is a simple, non-invasive treatment but it is extremely delicate and the treated area needs to be looked after carefully to prevent complications. We carry out this treatment often at the Oatlands referral centre and are available to answer any queries and offer aftercare advice.
The treated tooth may feel more sensitive as the root has been exposed but this will soon subside. In the unlikely event that there is any bleeding or infection afterwards, we are on hand to manage such scenarios quickly and effectively.

If you have a patient that you feel may benefit from this treatment, contact us today and book your patient in for a consultation.