Cosmetic Dentistry
Crown Lengthening in Stockton, CA
Crown lengthening exposes more of the natural tooth by reshaping or recontouring gum tissue and bone, sometimes for appearance, sometimes to make a restoration possible.
Crown lengthening is generally performed to improve the health of the gum tissue, or to prepare the mouth for restorative or cosmetic procedures. It can also correct a “gummy” smile, where the teeth are covered by excess gum tissue and appear unnaturally short.
Common reasons for the procedure
- Restoration of damaged teeth. Where a tooth has broken beneath the gum line, crown lengthening prepares the area so a new restoration can be placed.
- Cosmetic uses. Excess gum tissue makes teeth look short and can increase susceptibility to periodontal infection.
- Dental crowns. Crown lengthening provides more space between the supporting jawbone and the dental crown, preventing the new crown from damaging gum tissue and bone.
That third reason is the one patients least expect. A crown placed without adequate space beneath it irritates the tissue continuously, and the resulting inflammation can undo the restoration it was meant to protect.
What the procedure involves
Crown lengthening is normally performed under local anaesthetic. A series of small incisions is made around the soft tissue to separate the gums from the teeth.
In some cases removing a small amount of tissue provides enough tooth exposure to place a crown. In others a small amount of bone is removed as well. The surgical site is then secured with an intraoral bandage.
Recovery
The site is usually completely healed in approximately two to three months. Restorative work that depends on the procedure is scheduled after healing rather than before. The tissue needs to settle into its final position so the restoration can be made to fit it.
Detailed guidance on preparing for and recovering from a surgical appointment is on our post-operative instructions page, and the office is happy to answer questions before the day. Call (209) 951-3436.
When a gummy smile is not a gum problem
Patients who dislike how much gum shows when they smile often assume the tissue is the cause. Sometimes it is, and reshaping it solves the complaint outright.
Just as often the gums are only what you notice. Teeth worn short by grinding make a normal gum line look excessive. Teeth that never fully erupted, or an upper lip that lifts unusually high, produce the same appearance with entirely healthy tissue.
This is why assessment comes before any commitment to surgery. Where the teeth are the short element rather than the gums being the long one, porcelain veneers or crowns address the proportion without an incision, and in some cases the two are combined, with crown lengthening creating room for restorations that follow.
Treating the cause before the appearance
Crown lengthening sits at the boundary between cosmetic and periodontal care, and the sequence matters.
Where excess tissue comes with bleeding or inflammation, the underlying gum disease is treated first, reshaping inflamed tissue treats the symptom and leaves the infection in place.
Where teeth look short because grinding has worn them down, the gums may not be the problem at all. Addressing the grinding comes before reshaping anything.
Dr. Van Sicklen will talk through which applies in your case. To discuss whether crown lengthening is relevant to your situation, request an appointment or call (209) 951-3436. See patient information for payment options.
Questions patients ask
- Is crown lengthening painful?
- The procedure is normally performed under local anaesthetic, so it is not painful at the time. Some soreness afterwards is expected while the tissue settles, and our post-operative instructions cover what to expect and how to manage it.
- How long does healing take?
- The surgical site is usually completely healed in approximately two to three months. Restorative work that depends on the procedure is scheduled after healing rather than before, so the tissue can settle into its final position.
- Is it cosmetic or medically necessary?
- It can be either. Correcting a gummy smile is cosmetic. Exposing enough of a tooth that has broken beneath the gum line so it can be restored is not, without it, the tooth may not be restorable at all.
- Why is it needed before a crown?
- A crown placed without adequate space beneath it irritates the gum tissue continuously. Crown lengthening provides room between the supporting jawbone and the crown, which prevents the new restoration from damaging the tissue and bone it sits against.
Ready to get started?
Much of your first visit is spent explaining your individual treatment and getting to know you, so you can make a decision you feel good about.