Crowns are caps that are fit over a natural tooth. They look natural and are aesthetically pleasing. If you have been recommended for a crown, your tooth may be cracked or broken. Crowns are used with many dental procedures, and they must be fit perfectly to an existing tooth.
When crown lengthening is done, excess gum and bone tissue are reshaped. This exposes the natural tooth, allowing it to be more visible above the gum line. Crown lengthening helps the gum to wrap around the tooth keeping unwanted bacteria that can lead to infection away. The procedure allows a crown to firmly affix to a tooth.
Reasons you may need crown lengthening:
- To correct a gummy type smile
- To expose more of the natural tooth, if your teeth seem small.
- To help with dental hygiene, and prevent the gums from crowding around your teeth.
- A tooth is cracked or damaged, and crown lengthening allows the doctor to get better access to the tooth so the crown can fit well.
At Fraser Family, we will meet with each patient to review x-rays, and go over all the expectations of crown lengthening. The procedure is outpatient, and the time varies per patient depending on how many teeth are involved, and if the tissue and bone need to be removed. Local anesthesia is used to keep our patients relaxed and pain free.
The recovery process usually takes approximately three months. We recommend avoiding any strenuous exercise or activity for the first few days after the procedure. Also, we recommend taking over the counter pain relievers or prescribed antibiotics if necessary.
Overall, crown lengthening is one of the most common dental procedures done today. At Fraser Family our patients are in good hands with excellent care. We will make sure you have an outstanding experience, and our team can help answer any questions you may have along the way. Our goal is to keep your teeth and gums healthy so you can enjoy that beautiful smile for years.
If you are interested in finding more about our crown lengthening procedure, please call or email Fraser Family to schedule your appointment.