If you’re currently unable to have a veneer or dental crown placed due to an excessive amount of gum tissue, your dentist or periodontist may recommend crown lengthening. This treatment involves carefully removing any gum tissue that’s not needed in order to create the necessary room for a restoration. To make sure that you’re fully prepared, here is a step-by-step look at what will happen.
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Planning
Before you can have crown lengthening performed, an initial consultation will be needed to determine whether you’re a viable candidate for the procedure. This involves performing a thorough examination of your teeth and gums as well as reviewing your medical history. The consultation can be performed by a periodontist, but it can also be done by your general dentist, who may refer you to a periodontist afterward.
If crown lengthening is found to be a good choice for you, a treatment plan will be created. Said plan will specify the amount of gum tissue that needs to be removed as well as which teeth will be involved. You might also be given some pre-surgery instructions in order to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly; for example, you may need to stop taking aspirin or other types of blood-thinning medication for a few days.
Step 2: Numbing the Mouth
On the day of the crown lengthening procedure, your periodontist will begin by administering a local anesthetic. This will help numb the intended treatment area, thus ensuring that you don’t experience any discomfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Altering the Gums
Once you’re as comfortable as possible, your periodontist can move forward with the actual crown lengthening. This involves making a small incision in the gums and repositioning them in order to expose more of the underlying tooth. Depending on the situation, a bit of bone tissue might need to be taken out as well. Then the gums are sutured in place, creating a new gumline that leaves plenty of room for a dental restoration.
Step 4: Recovery
It often takes about one to two weeks for your gums to heal after crown lengthening. In the days following the procedure, you may experience mild swelling, bleeding, and soreness. Your periodontal team will give you tips for taking care of your mouth during the recovery process, such as periodically holding an ice pack over any swollen areas or maintaining a diet of soft foods.
Crown lengthening can be an important step that needs to be taken before your smile can be restored or enhanced with a dental crown or a veneer. If there’s anything else you want to know about the procedure, don’t hesitate to ask your periodontist so that they can make sure that you have all the information you need.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Barnett earned his dental degree at the University of Pittsburgh, and he received a Masters of Science and Certificate in Periodontics at the University of Michigan. Today, he is a board-certified periodontist who is skilled in providing a wide range of procedures, including crown lengthening. If you need the services of a periodontal expert, you can directly schedule a consultation with Dr. Barnett at Park Lane Periodontal & Dental Implant Group in Dallas without the need for a referral by visiting his website or calling (214) 691-2614.