Have you ever described your smile as “gummy”? While in most cases, excess gums aren’t a health concern, they can often be a source of embarrassment for the patient. If you struggle with too much gum tissue, your cosmetic dentist may recommend crown lengthening.
Crown lengthening is an oral surgery that contours the gums to allow access to deeper parts of the tooth. When decay occurs below the gum line, it may be necessary to remove a small amount of bone and gum tissue. Your dentist may ask for this procedure before he makes a new crown for your tooth. This procedure can also be used for cosmetic purposes as well. It allows your cosmetic dentist to contour and shape your gums to perfection.
We want to make sure you explore all your cosmetic dentistry options before settling on crown lengthening treatment. For cosmetic crown lengthening, we may need to remove a small amount of bone to expose the tooth.
Before your procedure begins, our cosmetic dentist will apply a local anesthetic to ensure you won’t experience any discomfort during your procedure. Any dental crowns you have will be removed prior to treatment and immediately replaced. During the crown lengthening procedure, we remove gum tissue to expose more of your tooth. We’ll also sculpt your gum line so it looks symmetrical.
When your dentist is satisfied with the look of your teeth, he’ll clean the wound and the gum tissue will be sutured with small stitches. The surgical site will then be secured with bandages to prevent infection. It will take approximately two to three months to fully heal depending on your oral health.
Total recovery time is usually 4-6 weeks but can take up to three months. However, you will be able to resume normal gum function well before that. Avoid very hot or very cold foods during the first 24 hours, as there may be some sensitivity following the procedure.
Every insurance policy is different and willing to cover different procedures. During your initial consultation, Dr. Cohen will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of your insurance coverage and any out-of-pocket costs. If you are still concerned about the affordability of your procedure, be sure to check out our financing page.
For the first few days, you may experience some temperature sensitivity. This is due to more of your tooth being exposed to air and foods it wasn’t before. This sensitivity should subside over time.
You may also feel some mild pain, but this can be alleviated with over-the-counter painkillers. If over-the-counter medications do not get rid of your pain, contact your dentist at (734) 261-6060.
