Crown Lengthening Pain, Healing, and Risks
Dental crowns are dental restorations that are used for both structural and cosmetic concerns. Crowns fit snugly over the visible portion of a natural tooth, helping to protect and strengthen cracked, broken, or damaged teeth and restore their appearance. When the tooth that’s being crowned lacks sufficient area or structure to support the crown, a crown lengthening procedure can help expose more of the tooth’s surface, preparing it for a crown. Crown lengthening procedures may also be used to address aesthetic concerns, helping improve the ratio of gums to teeth in an otherwise gummy smile. This common outpatient procedure can usually be completed in under an hour, though some procedures take longer.
The crown lengthening procedure is performed by a periodontal surgeon using a local anesthetic, which numbs the oral tissues and blocks the possibility of pain during the procedure. After making an incision in the gums, the tissue is pulled away from the teeth, repositioned, and sutured into place. While the procedure itself is painless, patients report some levels of pain and discomfort after anesthesia wears off, but this pain can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription pain medications and soothing mouth rinses that help the gums heal. While there is a minor risk of infection with the procedure, this risk is no greater than any other surgical procedure and can be minimized by closely following aftercare instructions and reporting to the dentist with any concerns during healing.
It’s common for patients to experience some bleeding immediately following a crown lengthening procedure, and the teeth may be particularly sensitive to temperature changes at first. Patients should avoid heavy exertion for the first two or three days after the procedure, though normal activity can be resumed after a few days. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, make sure to complete the entire course of treatment, as directed, to ensure against infection. Applying an ice pack to the outside of the face, in the area of the procedure, can help reduce swelling immediately following the procedure. Dentists recommend eating soft, mild foods at moderate temperatures for the first 24 hours and also recommend that patients avoid doing anything that might dislodge the stitches or interfere with healing. This might include rinsing the mouth, spitting aggressively, consuming alcohol, using a straw to drink, smoking, or prodding or fiddling with the surgical site. The surgeon will dress your surgical site with gauze or other dressings, which should be left in place for one to two weeks, as instructed. You will also receive instructions on how to gently clean the teeth and gums without irritating the surgical site or dislodging the dressing.
It takes a few months for the gums to fully heal, at which point the crown – if one is being placed – can be fitted and affixed to the tooth. As surgical procedures, including crown lengthening, become more efficient and successful, the risks continue to diminish and smooth healing is largely dependent on the patient. Of course, hiring a qualified dental professional is also important. When you work together, as a team, and take care to follow up with your dentist, you can expect your crown lengthening procedure to succeed and help improve the health of your teeth and the appearance of your smile.