Improve the Appearance of your Smile with Crown Lengthening Procedure

Chances are, you’ve never heard of a crown lengthening procedure. While this dental treatment isn’t as well known as others, it is an effective method for addressing an array of dental conditions. At Dr. Bostani’s Advanced Dental in Burbank, California, there are several reasons why we may recommend crown lengthening to our patients. Below, we’ll look at the procedure and some of the most common reasons our patients may require crown lengthening.

What is crown lengthening?

The basic premise of crown lengthening is to make the teeth appear longer by removing excess gum or bone tissue. The procedure is done to reshape the gums at the base of the tooth to expose more of the visible surface. It can also be used to adjust the bone tissue so the size of the visible portion of the tooth is extended enough to support a restoration such as a dental crown properly.

Reasons for crown lengthening

There are several important reasons we may recommend crown lengthening:

  • Repair damaged teeth – When teeth become damaged below the gum line, whether due to decay or injury, crown lengthening allows us to gain proper access to the damaged area to restore the tooth.
  • Gummy smiles – Some patients have excess gum tissue covering the teeth, making them appear smaller. Crown lengthening can help give patients a bigger smile.

Benefits of crown lengthening

Crown lengthening is a simple outpatient treatment that only needs to be completed once. In addition to improving the success of a dental restoration, it can also enhance the appearance of the smile and improve oral health by allowing for better access to all surfaces of the teeth when brushing and flossing.

What to expect with crown lengthening

Some cases of crown lengthening can be completed with a laser recontouring of the gum line. In other cases, some of the bone may need to be removed to complete the procedure correctly. Like with any oral surgery, there are some risks involved. Infection following surgery is the main concern, which is why an antibiotic may be prescribed. Bleeding and pain are two other concerns to be monitored. Over-the-counter medications and ice packs can help with pain and swelling. Any concerns with side effects after surgery should be communicated to our office as soon as possible for evaluation.

Want to learn more?

At Dr. Bostani’s Advanced Dental in Burbank, CA, we would be happy to help determine if crown lengthening is right for you. To schedule a consultation, please call our office at (818) 918-5533.