Health

Elevating Your Smile Through Crown Lengthening

A beautiful smile is a hallmark of your facial profile that helps boost your self-esteem and confidence. Cosmetic dentistry has been helping people enhance their facial aesthetics through several minimally invasive procedures. Crown lengthening is one such aesthetic procedure that can rejuvenate your smile and overall appearance. 

Crown lengthening is a popular cosmetic procedure performed by our renowned dentist in Powell, TN. It helps resculpt and reshape your gums and supporting structures. 

What is crown lengthening? Why is it performed?

Crown lengthening is a common procedure designed to reshape your gums at the base of the affected tooth in order to improve the way these soft tissues look. It greatly enhances your smile. 

The following are different crown-lengthening techniques:

  • Gingivectomy: Removal of gum tissues using a scalpel, laser, or electrocautery.
  • Apically repositioned flap surgery: The excess gum tissue is removed by raising a suitable flap and reattaching it to a new position. 
  • Surgical extrusion: Involves moving the tooth to the desired location on the gumline. 

Crown lengthening is indicated for the following reasons:

  • To address cosmetic concerns caused by a gummy smile
  • To expose cavities beneath the gum line
  • To expose the fractured areas of the tooth
  • To expose more tooth structure before they can fit a device such as a bridge 

How is crown lengthening performed? 

Crown lengthening is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia (a numbing agent) to ease pain and discomfort. 

The procedure is as follows:

  • If you have temporary crowns in your adjacent teeth, your dentist will remove them for better access. 
  • Small incisions (cuts) will be made on the gums (depending on the number of teeth involved) and pulled away to expose the underlying roots and bone. 
  • Depending on your individual need, your dentist will remove only the gum tissues or may even remove part of your bone. This can be done using a combination of hand and rotary instruments.
  • The surgical area will be thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
  • The incision will then be closed using sutures, and a periodontal pack will be placed for healing and additional protection. 

Recovery  

  • You may experience mild pain and discomfort after the effect of anesthesia wears off. This is temporary and may resolve gradually. 
  • Your dentist will prescribe medications for pain relief and a chlorhexidine mouth rinse to prevent infection.
  • Avoid extreme hot or cold and hard or chunky foods for the initial few days. 
  • Usually, it may take 3 months for the gum tissues to heal completely. 

Summary 

Crown lengthening is a versatile procedure with many uses and benefits. When performed by a skilled dental professional, you can expect your procedure to go smoothly with enhanced oral health. 

Related Articles

Check Also
Close
Back to top button