Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is generally performed to improve the health of the gum tissue or to prepare the mouth for restorative or cosmetic procedures. In addition, crown lengthening procedures can also be used to correct a “gummy” smile, where teeth are covered with excess gum tissue. Crown lengthening exposes more of the natural tooth by reshaping or recontouring bone and gum tissue. This treatment can be performed on a single tooth, many teeth, or the entire gum line, exposing an aesthetically pleasing smile.

Reasons for crown lengthening

Crown lengthening is a versatile and common procedure that has many effective uses and benefits. The vast majority of patients who have undergone this type of surgery are highly delighted with the results.

Here are some of the most common reasons for crown lengthening:

Restoration of damaged teeth – Periodontal disease can cause severe damage to the teeth, as can trauma and decay. Where teeth have been broken beneath the gum line, crown lengthening can be used to prepare the area for a new restoration to correct the damaged teeth.

Cosmetic uses – Extra gum tissue can make teeth look unnaturally short and can also increase susceptibility to periodontal infections. Removing excess gum tissue can restore a balanced, healthy look and improve the aesthetic appearance of the smile.

Dental crowns – Crown lengthening provides more space between the supporting jawbone and dental crown. This prevents the new crown from damaging gum tissues and bone once it is in place.

What does crown lengthening involve?

Crown lengthening is normally performed under local anesthetic. The amount of time this procedure takes will largely depend on how many teeth are involved and whether a small amount of bone needs to be removed along with the soft tissue. Any existing dental crowns will be removed prior to the procedure and replaced immediately afterwards.

Your dentist will make a series of small incisions around the soft tissue in order to separate the gums away from the teeth. Even if only one tooth requires the re-contour, neighboring teeth are usually treated to provide a more even reshaping. Separating the gums provides your dentist with access to the roots of the teeth and the underlying bone.

In some cases, the removal of a small amount of tissue will provide enough tooth exposure to place a crown. In other cases, your dentist will also need to remove a small amount of bone from around the teeth. The bone is usually removed using a combination of special hand instruments, and rotary instruments. The rotary instruments roughly resemble the drill that is used in cavity treatment.

The teeth will look noticeably longer immediately after surgery because the gums will have been repositioned. The teeth will look noticeably longer immediately after surgery because the gums have now been repositioned.

Your dentist will secure the surgical site using an intraoral (periodontal) bandage which serves to prevent infection. Prescriptions may be provided for pain medication, and a chlorhexidine (antimicrobial) mouth rinse may be given to help reduce any bacteria attempting to re-colonize. The surgical site will be completely healed in approximately two to three months.

If you have any questions about crown lengthening, please contact our office.

Sarah Brown

2021-01-08

I LOVE this dental practice so much. The reception staff was welcoming and kind, the hygienist was thorough and warm, the dentist answered my questions and addressed my concerns (including a 12 year old filling that had been bothering me for YEARS that needed the simplest fix!) I was encouraged to try a Waterpik flosser but they didn’t try and sell me one! Instead the hygienist showed me what to buy. Other dentists have pushed these on me, but always to buy from them. I also found out that a crown and filling another dentist in town was trying to push on me (for $760 out of pocket) wasn’t even necessary. I was told that dentistry is subjective and shown why it wasn’t necessary to do that work at this time. Mind you, I’m in no pain although the other dentist wanted this work done 6 months prior. I truly felt as though this practice cared about me and my mouth and wasn’t trying to sell me products and services that weren’t vital to my health. 12/10 would recommend this practice. So grateful to have a dentist I can trust after 4 years of unsatisfactory dentistry experiences in Boulder!

AR Kauvar

2020-12-16

Noticeably thorough and knowledgeable care. I trust my dentist and his organization with my health.

Anne Brennand

2020-12-09

I find Dr. Friedman to be an amazing person and professional. Compassionate while objective, concentrated and precise yet gentle and aware, I feel I am in the hands of the best in the field of dentistry.

Christy Pusz

I was so impressed by the quality of the care and extensive safety precautions taken for covid. I felt SO safe. Add in the gentleness and patience of my hygienist, a kind and thorough doctor and a dental chair that gives you a massage! This was the best experience I’ve ever had at the dentist.

Chris Hunter

2020-12-08

As always, the care and treatment I received from Dr. Friedman and his team was top notch.

Don Taylor

I've been a satisfied patient of Boulder Smile Design for years. I was especially pleased to see how they stepped up to address the patient and staff health safety needs associated with the pandemic. I recommend them to anyone who wants a caring and highly professional dental practice.

Anthony Crouch

Excellent, professional attention from both dental hygienist and dentist. I was able to receive immediate attention to a problem, much appreciated.

Crown Lengthening

What does crown lengthening involve?

Dentistry done differently.

why your neighbors love boulder smile design

follow us on instagram

locate us