Crown Lengthening

The gums are just as important as the teeth when it comes to sporting a pleasing smile. Sometimes, the volume of the gum tissues makes the teeth appear shorter than they actually are. Crown lengthening is the subtle process of making the teeth appear to be of the proper size and length by altering the appearance of the gums.

What is Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a procedure at Troy Ha, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry that addresses the oral concern of a gummy smile. A gummy smile is when the gums have excessive volume. Because of this condition, the gums encroach over the base of the teeth, making them appear shorter than they are. This concern not only makes your smile appear displeasing but also makes you ineligible for dental crowns, bridges, or veneers. Hence, we perform crown lengthening to remove excessive gum tissues and restore the teeth to their ideal length.

How Is Crown Lengthening Carried Out at Troy Ha, DDS?

A periodontist usually performs crown lengthening before you are set to receive a tooth restoration. Some of the other instances when crown lengthening is performed is to expose underlying cavities or damage to the tooth roots. The time taken to complete the procedure depends on how much gum tissue needs to be removed and the number of teeth that have to be prepared.

The dentist will thoroughly diagnose your case and determine how much of the gum tissues need to be removed. The conventional method of carrying out gingivectomy is by removing the tissues surgically using scalpels. The more advanced means to do this is using laser therapy. A highly powerful laser beam is directed at the gums. It instantly vaporizes the tissues and seals the wounds underneath, thereby eliminating the need for sutures. It also reduces pain by several folds and almost completely eliminates bleeding.

The dentist may also make a small slit on the gums and pull the tissues back. This is a meticulous process and has to be done with great precision and care, something Dr. Ha gives a lot of emphasis on. After the procedure is completed, you must follow the aftercare instructions given by the dentist. Some of them avoid consuming hot, cold, or spicy foods and liquids for the next few days, brushing with caution, and avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco completely.

We invite you to schedule a consultation with our team of dental experts at our Long Beach, CA office to get all your oral concerns addressed at the earliest. Please call us at (562) 432-9883 or schedule an online consultation, and we’ll be happy to help.