3 Reasons Why Your Dentist May Suggest Crown Lengthening

One lesser-known procedure that is performed by dentists is known as “crown lengthening.” While this is typically used as a cosmetic procedure, there are a variety of different reasons why a dentist may suggest this treatment. There are several tooth and gum ailments that make certain patients the perfect candidates. Continue reading to learn more about crown lengthening, what it’s used for, and whether or not it may be right for you.

What Is Crown Lengthening?

This is when a dentist removes part of the gum to expose more of the underlying tooth. This is done using a safe, soft tissue laser. Soft tissue lasers use a highly concentrated light beam to remove excess gum tissue both precisely and painlessly. This type of procedure can be done on just one tooth or multiple teeth depending on the patient’s needs.

What Is Crown Lengthening Used For?

There are three main reasons why a dentist may suggest that you have crown lengthening. Here are the most common ones:

• Repairing Teeth: Whether your have gum disease or trauma, when teeth are damaged below the gumline, crown lengthening may take place to expose the damaged area and allow a crown to be placed overtop the structurally compromised tooth.
• Gummy Smiles: While this isn’t usually an issue that can take a toll on your oral health, it can be hard on the self-esteem. If you have always felt like you had smaller-than-average teeth, the issue could be the amount of gum tissue present. By gently removing a small amount of gum tissue, it can make a huge difference in the appearance of your teeth.
• Dental Crowns: Some patients don’t have enough tooth structure overtop of the gum to allow for a proper fitting of the crown. If a crown is placed in these conditions, it can damage the gums and cause chronic inflammation and discomfort. Crown lengthening can help to ensure that the new crown will fit the tooth more comfortably.

Are You a Good Candidate for Crown Lengthening?

During the initial consultation with your dentist, it will be determined whether or not this is the right procedure for you. Typically, it is done for patients with one of the following issues:

• Protruding gums
• Teeth appearing too short
• Cracked tooth in need of a dental crown with excessive gum tissue
• Uneven gumline

Crown lengthening has numerous benefits, and it can transform some people’s smiles. Talk to your dentist to determine whether or not it is right for you!

About the Author

Dr. Marco Caballeros earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry before joining Baylor’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry post-doctoral program. He is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry which has allowed him to stay up-to-date on the newest developments in dentistry. To learn more about crown lengthening or to schedule an appointment at his office in Frisco, visit his website or call (469) 476-4092.