Gum disease is preventable
Crown Lengthening
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is carried out for teeth which are broken down to provide more tooth tissue above the gum line to be able to build the tooth back up again with a filling or a crown. It can often be used to help dentists reach areas of decay which are covered by the gum and may help to keep a tooth for longer. It is often used for short teeth that have worn down due to acid erosion, clenching or grinding.
Crown lengthening can help provide more sound tooth tissue available to build the shapes of the teeth back again with composite bonding, veneers or crowns.
Crown Lengthening for Gummy Smiles
Crown lengthening can also be used to treat gummy smiles when patients are worried about how much gum they show. This is also known as a ‘gum lift’. It can be used to treat individual teeth that are a concern or multiple teeth.
Crown Lenghtening Procedure
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic so there is no discomfort. It involves reshaping or recontouring the gum line and the bone beneath to allow the gum to healy in a healthy position where more tooth is visible above the gum line. The gum can be lifted back to help see better, and on occasions a minimally invasive ‘flapless’ technique can be used.
Crown Lengthening FAQs
You may need crown lengthening to restore a tooth that has decay or damage below the gum line, or to reduce excessive gum tissue and enhance the appearance of your smile.
Crown lengthening is typically performed under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. Some discomfort may be experienced afterward, but it can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain relief.
The procedure time will vary depending on the number of teeth involved and complexity of the case but on average takes 1-2 hours.
Once the gum tissue has been reshaped, it is unlikely to grow back, allowing teeth to be built up more easily or gummy lifts to look good for a long time!
Yes, crown lengthening is often carried out to correct a ‘gummy’ smile. We digitally simulate the results using 3D smile designs and showing you the simulations before we carry out the procedure.