Do I Need Crown Lengthening?
The crown of a tooth is the portion of the tooth that is visible beyond the gums. In some cases, a person’s gums might partly obscure one or more of their teeth, making the length of the tooth appear shorter than it is and disrupting the symmetry between the teeth and the gums. In a crown lengthening procedure, a dentist doesn’t actually lengthen the crown of the tooth. Instead, the dentist removes and adjusts a portion of the excessive gum tissue, making the crown of the tooth appear longer and restoring the balanced ratio between the teeth and gums. This procedure is done for a few different reasons, though the ultimate goal is always to expose a greater amount of the crown’s structure. This can be done for cosmetic reasons, balancing out an excessively gummy smile, or for medical reasons, like when there is tooth decay present beneath the gum line, or when there is not sufficient surface area to secure a dental crown or other dental or orthodontic appliance.
If you’re bothered by the amount of gum tissue that is visible when you smile, ask your dentist about your options for crown lengthening. If you’re planning a dental restoration or repair, your dentist can tell you if you need crown lengthening. The success rate for dental restorations increases when there is more surface area available to attach the restoration or appliance, and your dentist will examine and measure your teeth as part of the planning process for any restoration. In order to effectively secure a dental crown, for example, the tooth should have at least 2 millimeters of available surface area, which helps the tooth and crown bond properly and also limits the likelihood of the restoration interfering with oral hygiene. In some cases, the dentist may also modify the bone levels that support the tooth, as well as the gum tissue, to expand the visible portion of the tooth. These procedures are used when there is excessive gum tissue, and they may also be used if the tooth has broken or has significant decay and lacks adequate surface area for a restoration, as when a tooth breaks off at the gum line.
Crown lengthening can also help dentists address tooth decay that is located beneath the gums, where it is more difficult to reach. Dentists may manipulate the gum tissue to gain access to damaged or decayed areas, reshaping the gum line once the decay has been removed and treated. Of course, crown lengthening can also be used for aesthetic purposes, restoring the proportion between visible tooth surfaces and the gums. By reducing the amount of gum tissue, the teeth seem longer and look more proportionate with the gums, improving the appearance of the smile while also helping to reduce the risk of gum disease.
Because crown lengthening is a surgical procedure, it’s important to understand any risks and considerations before committing to the procedure. Your dentist is the best resource for determining whether you need a crown lengthening procedure, whether it’s because your smile appears overly gummy or for medical reasons like tooth decay or a broken tooth. If your dentist recommends crown lengthening for medical reasons, know that the alternative may be removing and replacing the damaged tooth, which is more invasive and more expensive. In short, with your best interests in mind, your dentist should only recommend crown lengthening if it’s necessary to help repair or restore the tooth. If your dentist recommends crown lengthening for cosmetic purposes, think about whether you’re bothered by your smile and whether you’d like it to appear more balanced; the choice is yours to make. Regardless of your reasoning, with a relatively brief recovery time, this simple surgical procedure could make a world of difference for your smile and your oral and dental health.