Why Do You Need Crown Lengthening?

Sometimes when you visit your dentist to fill cavities or get a crown, the dentist may also recommend a crown lengthening. There are chances that the procedure may even catch you off guard. 

If it has happened to you or if you wish to know about the procedure, the article is for you.

What is Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a procedure designed to reshape your gums at the base of your tooth to expose more of your tooth surface. In some cases, it may also be required to adjust the tooth’s bone level so that the height or size of the visible portion of the tooth can be extended. 

To fit perfectly with a crown, your gums require at least 2 millimetres of the surface area. This helps not only with bonding but also prevents trapping of food or other complications including falling of teeth or weakening of other restorative dental appliances.

When Is It Required?

Your gum disease specialist may recommend a crown lengthening for a variety of reasons. The most common condition requiring lengthening includes short teeth, tooth decay that is severe below the gum line, or a broken or fractured tooth beneath the gum line. 

When a tooth experiences severe damage, the healthy area is reduced. This may greatly impact the success rate of tooth restoration methods. In general, crown lengthening is an attempt to improve the success rate by exposing more of the tooth’s healthy surface area. With more surface area to work with, the dental appliances have a better chance of staying put and not falling off.

What to Expect During the Procedure?

Crown lengthening may seem intimidating. It is, however, fairly simple and nothing to be afraid of. Most of the procedures can be performed in an hour and done in an outpatient facility.

Before the procedure, your dentist may fit a temporary crown to ensure that your tooth is protected until you get your permanent crown after the lengthening procedure.

A periodontist will perform the procedure under local anaesthesia. The procedure will involve recontouring of the area surrounding the tooth and underlying bone. The gums will be recontoured until the teeth are of adequate length for proper application of dental appliance and are symmetrically pleasing.

After the Procedure, you may not require post-operative care other than pain management with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen. If you observe swelling, you can use an ice pack. Make sure that you restrict smoking and alcohol use completely during the recovery phase. Mostly, you will be able to return to work on the same day and can begin eating soft foods a day after the surgery. Avoid any strenuous activity for two days.

Full gum tissue recovery will take around 4 to 6 weeks and your periodontist will evaluate your teeth and gums before starting with permanent tooth restoration or dental implant.

For a complete recovery, make sure that you avoid eating any hot food for at least 24 hours. You may also notice sensitivity to hot and cold foods after the procedure which is normal due to exposure to tooth roots. This will, however, subside in a few days.

When to Contact Your Periodontist?

Although complications after a crown lengthening procedure are rare, watch out for certain complications, such as:

1. Persistent bleeding.
2. Severe pain even after ibuprofen use.
3. Infection.
4. Swelling and discharge from the affected area.
5. Loosening of bandages.
6. Lump formation or swollen lymph nodes under your jaw or neck.

To Sum It Up

Crown Lengthening is an effective procedure to remove excess gum tissue and expose additional root surfaces for the installation of a dental crown.