Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is usually performed to improve the health of the gum tissue, prepare teeth for restorations, or correct a “gummy smile”. A “gummy smile” is used to describe 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 or many teeth.

Crown lengthening is often required when your tooth needs a new crown or other restoration where the edge of the new restoration would be too far below the gum line for your dentist to be confident that the crown or restoration is secure.

The procedure is performed under local anesthetic and involves reshaping the gum line around the tooth. Even if only one tooth requires the procedure, it will probably be necessary to adjust the surrounding teeth to enable a more even reshaping.

Your teeth will look noticeably longer immediately after surgery because the gums have now been repositioned. Initially, you may experience some cold sensitivity that will improve once the final restoration is placed by your dentist. After a four to six week healing period, you will return to your dentist to begin restorative treatment.