Why Do I Need Crown Lengthening?

There are several reasons your periodontist or dentist may recommend a crown lengthening procedure. Also known as gum recontouring, although it is commonly performed as a cosmetic dentistry treatment, many patients have never heard of it, nor do they realize it has many oral health applications and benefits too. Here’s a closer look at how crown lengthening can improve the health and appearance of your smile!

What is Crown Lengthening / Gum Recontouring?

Crown lengthening (gum recontouring) is a treatment performed by a dentist or periodontist to remove excess gum tissue from the base of the teeth. This in turn makes the crown (tooth) appear longer, and the tooth itself larger. It can be performed to treat a variety of conditions, ranging from cosmetic issues like a gummy smile or teeth that appear “too short,” to oral health problems such as reaching below the gumline to access a damaged tooth or place a restoration.

How Can Crown Lengthening Improve My Oral Health?

One of the most common ways crown lengthening can benefit and even improve your oral health is by removing excess periodontal tissue that may make it harder to keep your teeth and gums clean, increasing your risk of periodontitis and cavities, which could eventually lead to permanent tooth loss. It also allows your periodontist to access the tooth below the gumline should it have damaged roots or need a restoration like a crown or veneer that must go below the periodontal tissue.

What are the Aesthetic Benefits of Crown Lengthening?

In addition to the oral health benefits of crown lengthening, this treatment also has many incredible cosmetic applications, too. For those who have a “gummy” smile, it can remove excess tissue that covers the teeth, making them appear longer and more visible in your smile. It can also help reshape your gumline, so your gorgeous grin seems more symmetrical and aesthetically balanced to your face. It can even make teeth that look short or stubby appear larger!

What Happens During a Crown Lengthening Procedure?

Many patients are surprised to learn just how fast and easy a crown lengthening procedure really is. First, your periodontist will numb your mouth, so you remain comfortable during treatment. Then, once you’re ready, he will carefully remove the excess periodontal tissue from the base of your tooth or teeth with a soft tissue laser. This device vaporizes the excess tissue, cauterizing it as it works. This means you most likely will not need sutures like you would with a traditional, scalpel-based surgery. It also means you’ll benefit from a lower risk of developing an infection during healing, and your overall recovery period should be much faster and more comfortable, too.

The results from this treatment are permanent, so you should not need to have it redone.  While recovery times from this procedure will vary, the soft-tissue laser can dramatically shorten the duration because there are no stitches to remove.

Remember, crown lengthening is an extremely versatile treatment that can be used for both aesthetic and oral health reasons, but no matter why you need it, you’ll likely experience benefits to both. To learn more about gum recontouring, speak to your periodontist today!

About Dr. Braga

Dr. Justin Braga earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington and his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco. He then narrowed his focus to periodontics at the University of Southern California where he earned his certificate in Periodontics and his Masters in Craniofacial Biology. A Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, Dr. Braga is also Board-Certified in both Periodontics and Dental Implant Surgery and is a proud active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Western Society of Periodontology. To schedule a consultation for crown lengthening at Huntington Beach Periodontics & Dental Implants, visit our website or call 714-587-9094.