How Long Does Crown Lengthening Take?
If you’re considering crown lengthening for cosmetic reasons, or if your dentist has recommended the procedure to prepare for dental restorations, you probably have questions. Your dentist can address your specific questions with you during your consultation, but it’s helpful to have some general information first. When crown lengthening is advised as preparation for a dental crown, the gum tissue must heal completely before the crown can be placed, extending the treatment timeline. On the other hand, when crown lengthening is performed for primarily aesthetic purposes, the procedure is considered complete once the stitches have been removed, though the patient should still see their dentist for recommended follow-up appointments. Otherwise, the duration of a crown lengthening treatment will vary from patient to patient, so there’s no one answer to the question of how long crown lengthening will take. Understanding the procedure itself, however, can give you some idea of the possibilities.
What Steps Are Involved in Crown Lengthening?
In a crown lengthening procedure, a dentist or periodontist surgically removes a portion of gum tissue to expose a larger area of the natural tooth’s structure. Occasionally, the dentist may also remove some of the bone, if this is necessary to expose the tooth. This outpatient procedure is performed using a local anesthetic, which completely numbs the area and makes the whole thing painless, and can usually be performed in a single office visit. Before the procedure can begin, the patient meets with their dentist for a consultation and initial examination, which involves taking x-rays and other digital images to assess the patient’s needs and treatment goals. Following this consultation, the duration of the actual surgical procedure will depend on the number of teeth being treated. When a patient is undergoing crown lengthening on a single tooth, perhaps to prepare for a crown or other restoration, the procedure will take considerably less time, for example, than cosmetic crown lengthening procedures that aim to redesign the entire gum line for aesthetic reasons. In a follow-up visit about a week after the procedure, the dentist will remove the stitches and evaluate the healing process. The gum tissue takes about three months to fully heal, and the patient will see the dentist for periodic check-ins during this time. Once the gums have healed, the tooth is prepared for the crown or other restoration, and the restoration is completed.
What Can I Do To Help My Gums Heal Faster?
Your dentist will provide explicit instructions for aftercare and will evaluate your healing during follow-up appointments. In general, patients with good overall health can support their healing by eating a balanced, nutritious diet, remaining hydrated, and avoiding damaging their gums. This can be accomplished by abstaining from alcohol and smoking during healing, along with treating the teeth and oral tissues with care. Patients should avoid eating irritating foods at the beginning of healing and should take care to avoid chewing with the affected teeth or brushing the area of the surgical site. Many dentists recommend gently cleaning the teeth with a water flosser, and you may also receive an antibacterial mouth rinse to help keep the area clean. After the first few weeks, the best way to help the gums heal is to continue with healthy habits and to manage the oral hygiene with gentle, effective brushing and flossing. Supporting the oral health and the overall health are the best ways to help the gums heal efficiently and effectively after a crown lengthening treatment, and these practices will also support your continued health and satisfied smiles.