Crown lengthening is necessary when there isn’t enough surface of the tooth visible. With crown lengthening, we are able to extend the surface of the tooth to make the smile appear more balanced, perhaps before placing crowns or veneers.
Crown lengthening can also be used for patients with a ‘gummy smile’. This is the general term used for when teeth appear shorter than is usual and more of the gum is on show when we smile.
While crown lengthening is a relatively swift treatment which can often be achieved in one appointment, it nevertheless requires great skill and precision from the dentist. We’ll first perform an X-ray before administering a local anaesthetic so that you don’t feel a thing.
In most cases, the gum is then contoured and shaped to reveal more of the surface of the tooth. In some cases, we may have to trim some bone so that more of the tooth is visible above the gum surface.
The area should be healed within a few days. Before then, we advise the following:
• Avoid hot food and beverages as well as particularly spicy, chewy or difficult to eat food for 72 hours
• Avoid flossing until it is fully healed
• Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol if required