COSMETIC CROWN LENGTHENING
Cosmetic crown lengthening may sound a bit odd, but it can provide patients with improved self-esteem, and offers various restorative benefits. Crown lengthening procedures are used to correct “gummy” smiles, in the case of excess gum tissue. This method allows the exposure of natural tooth, by reshaping gum tissue, and recontouring bone. Not only does this treatment provide benefits to individual teeth or the entire gum line alike, it produces a happier, more appealing smile.
As a common, versatile procedure, crown lengthening provides a multitude of benefits and effective applications. Those who have opted to undergo crown lengthening surgery, have been extremely pleased with end results. While every individual will have their own reason for choosing crown lengthening, they may include:
• Damaged Tooth Restoration, often caused by periodontal disease, decay or trauma. In the case of a tooth being broken below the gum line, crown lengthening assists in preparing the area for correction and restoration.
• Cosmetic Improvements, especially in the case of gum tissue causing a tooth to appear shorter, leaving it susceptible to periodontal infections. A more aesthetically pleasing smile may be restored by the removal of excess gum tissue.
• Dental Crowns sometimes require extra spacing between the crown and supporting jawbone. Crown lengthening surgery assists in preventing damage to the gum tissue and bone once the new crown has been placed.
Normally performed under local anesthetic, crown lengthening is dependent upon a few factors. The number of teeth involved in the surgery, amount of soft tissue in need of removal, as well as bone, all impact the overall procedure time, in addition to existing dental crowns that require removal and immediate replacement.
A series of small minimally invasive incisions will be made around soft tissue, in order to pull the gums away from the teeth. Neighboring teeth are often treated even when a single tooth requires recontouring, in order to provide even reshaping. The separating of the gums serves to provide easier access to the roots and underlying bones of the tooth. Sometimes the periodontist needs to remove small amounts of bone from around the tooth, while other cases only require the removal of a small amount of tissue to place a crown, etc. A combination of rotary instruments and hand instruments work together to remove bone as needed.
Once the reshaping and recontouring is complete, and the dentist is satisfied, the wounds are cleaned using sterile water – gum tissue is sutured with small stitches. Because the gums have been repositioned, the teeth will take on a different appearance immediately after surgery. Using an intraoral bandage in order to prevent infection, the dentist will secure the surgical site and prescribe pain medication. An antimicrobial mouthwash chlorhexidine may also be supplied in order to reduce the re-colonization of bacteria. In most cases, the surgical site heals completely within two to three months.
