Crown Lengthening Specialist

What is crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a dental procedure to expose more of one or more teeth from under the gumline. In short, the procedure increases the surface area of a given tooth. 

It’s an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home right after you get the procedure at Los Gatos Dental Specialists.

During a crown lengthening treatment, the team gives you local anesthesia and possibly a sedative. They make incisions in your gums before lifting them away from the surfaces of the teeth they cover. The team then washes the exposed roots and bone with saline before reshaping and suturing the gums back in place. 

The entire crown lengthening treatment generally takes less than an hour to complete. You’ll have some discomfort once the anesthesia wears off, but following all postoperative care instructions can relieve discomfort, inflammation, and any other concerns. 

Who should consider crown lengthening procedures?

Crown lengthening serves a few different purposes, and the team at Los Gatos Dental Specialists can tell you if they think you’d benefit from the treatment. You might need:

Restorative crown lengthening

Sometimes, the team at Los Gatos Dental Specialists uses crown lengthening ahead of a restorative treatment. By exposing more of a tooth, restorations like bridges and dental crowns can attach more securely to it. 

Cosmetic crown lengthening

You can get crown lengthening solely for appearance purposes. If you feel that your teeth look too short or that you can see too much gum tissue when you smile, you can address these issues with crown lengthening. 

What is the healing time after crown lengthening?

It takes about three months to make a full recovery after crown lengthening at Los Gatos Dental Specialists. By following the team’s instructions, you can minimize discomfort and swelling during your recovery process.

To make sure your mouth heals smoothly, you should:

• Avoid hot foods for 24 hours
• Brush gently
• Eat soft and bland foods before easing into others
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid smoking for at least 7-10 days
• Leave dressings in for 1-2 weeks
• Use an ice pack to control swelling

The team tells you when to come in for follow-ups or to change your dressings. If you experience excessive pain or bleeding, they can re-examine you and help you manage any lasting effects or complications. 

To schedule an appointment and learn more about cosmetic or restorative crown lengthening, call Los Gatos Dental Specialists or book online today.