A dental crown is a cap that covers a tooth entirely. It can be used to protect a tooth that is severely damaged, broken or misshapen or for aesthetic purposes.
When Is Crown Lengthening Needed?
For a dental crown to succeed, there must be enough remaining tooth structure to fit firmly over an existing tooth. When properly fitted, a crown helps protect the tooth underneath and enables proper oral care.
Crown lengthening in Newcastle is a procedure that may be necessary if there isn’t enough of the original tooth to hold a new crown firmly in place. You might need this procedure if a tooth has broken off near the gumline or is affected by severe decay. A crown lengthening procedure can save a tooth that has lost most of its original structure.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
A crown lengthening procedure exposes more of the original tooth structure beneath the gum. During this treatment, some gum tissue may be removed, and the bone may be reshaped to ensure enough of the tooth is exposed to fit a crown.
Crown lengthening may also be helpful if you have a gummy smile. It can be done in preparation for a smile makeover in Courtice before you have crowns or veneers fitted. These restorations may be needed to protect damaged teeth or purely for aesthetics.
What Is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile is exactly like it sounds: You show too much gum tissue whenever you smile. Teeth should be framed by a couple of millimeters of healthy, nicely fitting gum tissue. When an excess of gum tissue is exposed, it can be less aesthetically pleasing and may make some people feel self-conscious about their smile.
Often, removing excess gum tissue can uncover teeth underneath, creating a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
What to Expect When You Have Crown Lengthening?
Before we begin this procedure, we will numb your mouth thoroughly using local anesthetic. If needed, we can also supply sedation dentistry in Clarington.
Once the anesthetic has taken effect, we can carefully reshape your gums. Sometimes, only gum tissue needs to be removed, for example, if you have a gummy smile. Otherwise, the gums are pulled away from the teeth, exposing the tooth roots and bone, allowing these to be reshaped carefully.
Afterward, the gums are stitched back in place, leaving the area to heal.
What to Expect after Crown Lengthening?
You may feel some discomfort after a crown lengthening procedure that can normally be controlled with over-the-counter pain relief. Otherwise, we can prescribe something to help. We may also recommend using a mouth rinse to help your gums heal.
Initially, your teeth may feel more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures since more of the tooth structure is exposed. While the area is healing, we will provide precise instructions on how to care for your mouth, what to eat, and how to keep your mouth clean.
Initial healing can take a couple of weeks, while it can take 4 to 6 weeks for your gums to heal entirely, although this can vary from one person to the next.
Deciding If You Need Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening can be a great treatment in certain circumstances. It can improve oral health, allow us to restore a tooth more successfully, and improve the appearance of a gummy smile.
An initial consultation with our West Bowmanville Family Dental dentist will help determine if this treatment is right for you or if another procedure may be more appropriate.
