Unless you're a dental trivia champion, the term "crown lengthening" probably isn't familiar to you. Even though it's perhaps a new term to you, a crown lengthening procedure is actually relatively standard. Think of it as the dental treatment you need to make the next dental treatment possible. Your dental professional may tell you that you'll need this procedure because you don't have enough exposed tooth surface for them to place a crown or bridge appropriately. If so, you're probably very curious about what crown lengthening is.
Crown lengthening surgery involves removing gum tissue, bone, or both to expose more of a tooth. It's done for therapeutic and sometimes cosmetic reasons. Let's go over why you may need it and what to expect from pre-op to recovery!
Why Would I Need Crown Lengthening?
Imagine this: your dental professional has examined your teeth and determined you need a crown. But what if there is not enough tooth for a crown? A periodontist may then suggest a crown lengthening procedure to support a dental crown or tooth bridge. There are a few reasons why you may not have enough tooth for a recommended treatment:
- Your tooth may have broken off at the gumline.
- Your gumline extends too far along your tooth for it to receive the restorative treatment it needs.
- Your tooth structure isn't strong enough for restoration.
- A crown or filling has fallen off, and there is decay underneath.