Aesthetic Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening can minimize the amount of gum that’s viewable in your smile and can make teeth look longer.

If you’re bothered by a “gummy” smile or teeth that you feel are too small, you may want to consider crown lengthening . Also known as a gum lift, this procedure can beautify your smile by exposing more of your teeth.

What Is Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a treatment that involves removing excess gum tissue, and possibly some bone, around the upper and/or lower teeth to make them look longer. It’s a common procedure performed by periodontists or gum specialists.

If the gum line is uneven, crown lengthening can also sculpt the gum line to produce a more symmetrical smile. Crown lengthening may be done for dental care and medical reasons as well as for the cosmetic effect. If there’s decay or fracture under the gum line, for example, crown lengthening can help expose more of the tooth’s crown in order to support a filling or porcelain crown.

Recovery From a Crown Lengthening Procedure

Following surgery, you’ll be given a prescription for a pain reliever and instructed to use ice to reduce any swelling. You’ll want to eat a diet of soft foods for a few days . We use dissolving sutures which will come out in under a week. Complete healing of the gums can take up to a few weeks however. At that point, you may opt to have veneers or another cosmetic dentistry procedure done, such as bonding or tooth whitening.

Is Crown Lengthening Right For You?

If you’ve always been bothered by a smile that shows too much gum, crown lengthening may be a great choice .

If you have excessive or uneven gums, crown lengthening can transform your smile and give you just the right look — and as an added bonus, it may just improve your overall dental health as well.