Crown Lengthening in Hickory, NC
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that reshapes the gum tissue and, when necessary, the underlying bone to expose more of a tooth. It may be recommended to prepare a damaged tooth for restorative dental treatment or to improve the appearance of a smile when excess gum tissue covers part of the teeth.
At Hickory Periodontics, Dr. Tate Weller provides crown lengthening for patients from Hickory, Conover, Newton, and surrounding Catawba County communities. Each procedure is carefully planned based on the health of your gums and bone, the position of the tooth, and the reason crown lengthening is needed.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure used to expose more of the natural tooth structure above the gumline. Depending on the individual situation, this may involve carefully reshaping gum tissue, the supporting bone, or both.
Despite its name, crown lengthening does not actually make the tooth itself longer. Instead, it changes the position of the gumline to make more of the tooth visible and accessible.
Crown lengthening may be performed for restorative reasons, such as preparing a tooth for a crown, or for cosmetic reasons when excess gum tissue makes the teeth appear shorter than they actually are.
Why Would I Need Crown Lengthening?
There are several reasons your dentist may refer you to a periodontist for crown lengthening.
Preparing a Tooth for a Crown or Restoration
If a tooth is broken, decayed, or damaged below the gumline, there may not be enough accessible tooth structure for your dentist to securely place a crown or other restoration. Crown lengthening can expose additional healthy tooth structure so the tooth can be properly restored.
Treating Decay or Damage Below the Gumline
When decay, a fracture, or an existing restoration extends beneath the gumline, crown lengthening may provide your restorative dentist with better access to the affected area.
Improving the Appearance of a “Gummy” Smile
Some people have healthy teeth that appear unusually short because they are covered by excess gum tissue. In appropriate cases, crown lengthening can reshape the gumline to expose more of the natural teeth and create a more balanced smile.
Restorative Crown Lengthening
Restorative crown lengthening is often performed as part of a coordinated treatment plan between your periodontist and restorative dentist.
Your dentist may determine that a tooth needs a crown or another restoration but that there is not enough healthy tooth structure exposed above the gumline to properly complete the treatment. Dr. Weller can reshape the surrounding gum tissue and, when necessary, the supporting bone to expose additional tooth structure.
After the area has healed, your restorative dentist can proceed with the planned crown or restoration.
Hickory Periodontics works closely with referring dentists to coordinate the timing of crown lengthening and restorative treatment.
Cosmetic Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening may also be used to improve the appearance and proportion of the teeth and gums.
If excess gum tissue covers a significant portion of the teeth, the teeth may look short or uneven even though they are a normal size beneath the gumline. By carefully reshaping the gum tissue and underlying bone when necessary, Dr. Weller can expose more of the natural tooth surface and create a more balanced gumline.
Because every smile is different, cosmetic crown lengthening is planned based on tooth shape, gum position, bone levels, and the overall appearance of the smile.
What to Expect During Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is typically performed in the periodontal office using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. The exact procedure will depend on the tooth or teeth being treated and whether gum tissue, bone, or both need to be reshaped.
1. Evaluation & Treatment Planning
Dr. Weller will evaluate the tooth, surrounding gum tissue, and supporting bone. If crown lengthening is being performed before restorative treatment, he may also coordinate with your general or restorative dentist.
2. Crown Lengthening Procedure
The gum tissue is carefully repositioned to expose the necessary amount of tooth structure. In some cases, a small amount of supporting bone may also need to be reshaped.
3. Healing
The treated area will need time to heal before the final restorative or cosmetic result can be evaluated. You will receive specific instructions for keeping the area clean and comfortable during recovery.
4. Follow-Up & Restorative Care
Dr. Weller will monitor your healing at follow-up visits. If the procedure was performed in preparation for a crown or restoration, your restorative dentist will complete the next phase of treatment after appropriate healing.
Am I a Candidate for Crown Lengthening?
You may be a candidate for crown lengthening if:
- A tooth is broken or decayed below the gumline
- There is not enough exposed tooth structure to support a crown or restoration
- Your dentist needs better access to an area beneath the gumline
- Excess gum tissue makes your teeth appear short
- You have an uneven gumline that may benefit from periodontal treatment
- Your dentist has referred you to a periodontist before completing restorative treatment
Not every damaged tooth or cosmetic concern requires crown lengthening. Dr. Weller will evaluate the tooth, gum tissue, bone support, and treatment goals to determine whether the procedure is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crown Lengthening
Is crown lengthening painful?
Crown lengthening is performed using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some tenderness, swelling, or sensitivity can occur during the healing period. Dr. Weller will provide instructions for caring for the treated area and managing discomfort following treatment.
How long does it take to recover from crown lengthening?
Initial healing occurs over the first several weeks, but the gums can continue to mature and settle as healing progresses. The amount of healing time needed before completing a permanent restoration depends on the location and extent of treatment. Dr. Weller will monitor your healing and coordinate with your restorative dentist when appropriate.
Will I still need a crown after crown lengthening?
If crown lengthening is performed to prepare a damaged tooth for restorative treatment, you will generally still need the crown or other restoration recommended by your dentist. Crown lengthening exposes the tooth structure needed so your restorative dentist can complete that treatment.
Does crown lengthening make my teeth look longer?
It can. Crown lengthening exposes more of the natural tooth by repositioning the gumline. When performed for cosmetic reasons, this can make teeth that previously appeared short look more proportional. When performed on a single tooth for restorative reasons, Dr. Weller will consider the surrounding gumline when planning treatment.
Can crown lengthening fix a gummy smile?
Crown lengthening can be an appropriate treatment for some patients whose teeth are covered by excess gum tissue. However, a gummy smile can have different causes, so an evaluation is necessary to determine whether crown lengthening is the appropriate treatment.
Schedule a Crown Lengthening Consultation
If your dentist has recommended crown lengthening or you would like to learn whether periodontal treatment could improve the appearance of your gumline, schedule a consultation with Dr. Weller at Hickory Periodontics.
Our office is conveniently located in Conover and serves patients from Hickory, Newton, and surrounding Catawba County communities. Dr. Weller can evaluate your gums, teeth, and supporting bone and coordinate with your restorative dentist when needed to develop an appropriate treatment plan.