What comes to mind when you think of the perfect smile? If you are like most people, you immediately think about the condition of your teeth. Are they white enough? Are they straight? Are they free from imperfections? Even if your teeth are perfect, your smile still may not be. This is because your gums also play an important role. Excess gum tissue leads to a gummy smile. Your perfect teeth appear shorter than normal, and the appearance of your smile is diminished. At Hunter Dental Care, we can help to give you a smile you have always wanted with crown lengthening.Crown Lengthening
Your gums are an important feature in your mouth, protecting the roots of your teeth, as well as your jawbone, from the oral bacteria that can lead to serious oral health issues like gum disease, tooth decay, and other infections. However, when there is too much gum tissue, it can impact the quality of your smile, causing your teeth to look smaller than they are. A crown lengthening is a procedure performed to remove that excess tissue (in some cases, a small amount of bone may also be removed as well), effectively restoring a more natural gum line and lengthening the appearance of your teeth.
Crown Lengthening Procedure
Crown lengthening is performed under a local anesthetic. For patients who are nervous or anxious, sedation may also be administered. We begin the procedure by creating small incisions in your gums. These incisions provide us with the access we need to separate the gums from the teeth, as well as access to the roots of the teeth and the surrounding jawbone. We then remove the excess tissue and any necessary bone. Once completed, the gums are sutured closed back against the necks of the teeth. Results are visible right away.
The length of time it takes to complete a crown lengthening varies from patient to patient, depending upon the number of teeth that require correction and if any bone is being removed. Even if a single tooth is being corrected, the adjacent teeth are also worked on, which helps to provide a smoother, more natural result.
Other Uses for Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is commonly a cosmetic procedure, but it does have some other uses as well.
| • | Placing dental crowns. Crowns are a common treatment for damaged or otherwise weakened teeth. They are designed to cover the entire visible portion of the affected tooth. Excess gum tissue affects the fit of a crown, causing it to sit incorrectly on the tooth. This can leave you susceptible to further damage or infections. By removing excess gum tissue, the crown can sit how it needs to provide the best outcome. |
| • | Treating cavities. Cavities at the gum line may be difficult to clean completely and fill. The removal of the excess tissue helps to ensure that all decay is removed from the affected tooth and that the filling is placed properly. |
| • | Maintaining periodontal health. Excess gum tissue can harbor the oral bacteria that can then lead to gum disease. It can be difficult to keep these areas of your mouth clean. By removing excess gum tissue, you remove hiding places for oral bacteria and help to make your mouth easier to maintain. |
A crown lengthening can help to give you the smile you have been searching for. Call Hunter Dental Care at (503) 256-3737 today to learn more and schedule your consultation!