What is the Purpose of Crown Lengthening?
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap fitted or a natural tooth to improve it is structural or aesthetic. A dental crown can be recommended if the tooth is broken, cracked, or mishappen’. It can also be used with other dental procedures such as root canals, dental implants, or bridges. A crown can be firmly affixed to an existing tooth.
The crown lengthening procedure involves the removal of excess periodontal tissue around one or more teeth to prevent the crowns from seeming to be close to the gum line. This procedure helps your teeth look small and prevents your smile from looking so gummy.
The procedure can be necessary if the remaining tooth cannot hold the crown in place. It is also meant for teeth affected by decay or broken teeth, preventing a crown from firmly detaching. Crown lengthening also reduces the gum tissue and shaves down the jaw bone when necessary, so more of the tooth appears above the surface of the gums.
Read along to understand the benefits of the crown lengthening procedure, how the procedure is done, and where to find a dental practice that offers crown lengthening near you.
Benefits of Crown Lengthening
.Here are five benefits of crown lengthening:
- It saves your tooth
If the natural crown has broken, but your teeth can still be saved, it is possible to remove the excess gum tissue from around your teeth. Then, your Waite Park dentist can be able to work on your tooth and install a dental crown.
- It Improves your smile
Crown lengthening on some of your teeth may fix an inconsistent gum line or lower the gum line completely to expose your teeth more for a beautiful smile.
- It reduces the risk of tooth decay
Oral health problems like tooth decay are unlikely to affect you if you have normal gums, but if your gums are a bit high, it may cover some areas of your teeth, making it hard to brush them. This may keep bacteria causing decay in place.
- Supports fillings or crowns
For your gums to properly seal to a dental implant, crown, or bridge, the gum line must be set at the proper level. It may be difficult or seem impossible to place a filling when there is a lot of gum tissue in its way.
- Enables an extraction
Sometimes, a tooth extraction requires the removal of excess periodontal tissue, thus the need for crown lengthening.
What Happens During A Crown Lengthening Procedure
So if you need to undergo this procedure, you can visit our dental office near you. Your Sauk Rapids dentist will perform this procedure in just one day as it is an outpatient procedure. Thus, you can go home afterward.
The procedure may vary depending on the number of teeth that have to be lengthened. It also depends on whether the soft tissue and the jaw bone need to be removed.
You may receive local anesthesia and may be a sedative as well. The dentist will cut the gums to pull them away from your teeth, exposing the bone and the roots. Only the gum tissue has to be removed in some cases, but the bone may be removed in others.
The surgeon then washes the area with saltwater before suturing it. They will then suture the gums back together, and they may place a bandage over the area to protect it from bacteria. It is normal to experience some pain after the local anesthesia wears off. Your dentist may recommend a specialized mouth rinse and pain relievers to help your gums heal.
Just as any other surgical procedure, crown lengthening has its risks. There might be a risk of infection. You are advised to follow all the aftercare instructions to help prevent disease.
You might experience some bleeding at the surgical site after the procedure. Your teeth may also be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. This sensitivity will ease with time. Your tooth may also look longer than the neighboring teeth, and if the bone was to be removed, it might feel looser.
If you want crown lengthening in St. Cloud, MN, Smile City is the best place for you and your family.