Crown Lengthening
WHAT IS CROWN LENGTHENING?
Sometimes the tooth is fine. It just needs more room to be treated properly, or more room to shine.
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that removes a precise amount of gum tissue and, when necessary, a small amount of underlying bone to expose more of the tooth structure above the gum line. At LUMI Dental in Boca Raton, crown lengthening is performed for two primary reasons: to create the necessary tooth structure for a crown or other restoration to be placed correctly, or to improve the aesthetics of the smile by reducing excessive gum display and revealing more of the natural tooth surface.
When a tooth is broken down below the gum line, decayed near the root, or has insufficient tooth structure above the gum line to retain a crown properly, crown lengthening creates the clinical space the restoration requires. Without this procedure, a crown placed on inadequate tooth structure will be poorly retained and will compromise gum tissue health at the margin. Functionally, crown lengthening allows the restoration to be placed at the correct biological width, the essential space between the base of the restoration and the bone that is required for healthy, stable tissue long term.
BENEFITS OF CROWN LENGTHENING
- Creates the tooth structure necessary for a crown or other restoration to be placed correctly and stably.
- Maintains the biologic width required for long term gum tissue health around restorations.
- Improves smile aesthetics by reducing excessive gum display when indicated.
- A planned surgical approach that prevents future tissue complications around restorations.
- Permanent results in most cases, as the reshaped tissue and bone do not regrow.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING A CROWN LENGTHENING TREATMENT?
Crown lengthening is performed under local anesthesia in a single appointment. An incision is made in the gum tissue, which is carefully reflected to expose the tooth and surrounding bone. The necessary amount of tissue and bone is removed precisely based on the clinical measurements taken before the procedure. The tissue is then repositioned and closed with sutures. A healing period of four to six weeks is typically required before the final crown or restoration can be placed, allowing the tissue to stabilize at its new level.
OUR APPROACH TO CROWN LENGTHENING
At LUMI Dental, crown lengthening is always preceded by precise clinical measurements, including assessment of the crown to root ratio, evaluation of the biologic width, and radiographic review of the bone levels around the tooth. We plan the extent of tissue and bone removal carefully before the procedure begins and review the plan with you so you understand exactly what will be done and why. We coordinate the timing of crown lengthening with the restorative phase so that the final restoration is placed at the ideal point in the healing arc.
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VIEW ALL TESTIMONIALFrequently Asked Questions LUMI Dental
Why do I need crown lengthening before getting a crown?
If the tooth structure above the gum line is insufficient for a crown to be retained properly, or if placing the crown margin at the current gum level would violate the biologic width, crown lengthening creates the space needed for a clinically sound and tissue friendly restoration.
Is crown lengthening painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Post operative soreness and some sensitivity are expected for several days. Most patients manage recovery comfortably with prescribed or over the counter pain relief.
How long before I can get my crown after crown lengthening?
A healing period of four to six weeks is typically required before the final crown is placed. This allows the gum tissue to stabilize at its new level so the crown margin is placed accurately and the tissue response is predictable.
Can crown lengthening be done for cosmetic reasons only?
Yes. Crown lengthening can be performed purely to improve the aesthetics of the smile by reducing excessive gum display, similar in goal to gum contouring but typically involving a more surgical approach that includes bone reshaping when needed.
Will the gum tissue grow back after crown lengthening?
In most cases, no. The tissue removed during crown lengthening does not typically regenerate, making the results long lasting. Maintaining good oral hygiene around the treated area supports stable tissue health over time.