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Home > Procedures > Crown lengthening
 
   
   
 

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening (or crown exposure) is required when your tooth needs a new crown or another restoration.  The edge of that restoration is deep below the gum tissue and often it is not possible to seat the crown down fully onto the tooth.  This procedure involves minimal reduction of the gums and the bone around the tooth to allow your dentist to seat the crown fully on to the tooth.  This prevents food and bacteria from being trapped around the crown which can cause decay and gum disease.

 
 


Procedure


The procedure involves adjusting the levels of the gum tissue and bone around the tooth in question, to create a new gum-to–tooth relationship.  The procedure takes approximately one hour.   When the procedure is completed, sutures and a protective “bandage” may be placed to help secure the new gum-to-tooth relationship.

 
 


Esthetic Crown Lengthening

This periodontal procedure is designed to expose more tooth structure prior to restorative and cosmetic dentistry and/or improve the esthetics of your gum line.
Although your teeth appear short, they may actually be the proper length. The teeth may be covered with too much gum tissue. We can correct this by performing the periodontal plastic surgery procedure, crown lengthening.  During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth.

Esthetic crown lengthening can also be done to single teeth to even your gum line and create a pleasing smile. If your teeth are decayed, fractured at or below the gum line or have insufficient tooth structure for a new crown retention, a crown lengthening procedure may be recommended to enable your dentist to perform a restorative and/or cosmetic dental procedure.

Whether you have crown lengthening to improve function or esthetics, patients often receive the benefits of both: a beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health – your keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.

 
   
 

 
  Patient A who complained of a “gummy” smile
Patient A after cosmetic crown lengthening  
   
   
 

Patient A before the procedure

 
   
 

Patient A after the procedure

 
     
   
     

 

 
 

 

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