Crown Lengthening in Land O’ Lakes
Get a Broader, Healthier Smile
If your “gummy” smile or small teeth are causing you to feel self-conscious, crown lengthening at Land O' Lakes Dental Care may be right for you.
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Aesthetic crown lengthening is a cosmetic dental procedure that reshapes your gum tissue and the underlying bone around your teeth.
By removing a small amount of excess gum tissue and/or bone, we can expose more of your tooth’s surface and create a more pleasing, proportionate smile. This procedure can also correct uneven gum lines and improve the appearance of teeth that appear too short.
In some cases, crown lengthening may involve placing dental crowns or porcelain veneers to further improve your tooth’s appearance. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over your entire tooth, while porcelain veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the front of the tooth.
How Crown Lengthening Works
Aesthetic crown lengthening is a safe and effective procedure that can help you achieve a more symmetrical, confident smile.
When excess gum tissue covers too much of a tooth’s surface, it can create a “gummy” smile, making your teeth appear shorter than they actually are.
Aesthetic crown lengthening can address this issue by removing excess tissue, revealing more of the tooth’s surface, and enhancing your smile's appearance.
Here’s what you can expect:
Initial Evaluation
During your appointment at Land O' Lakes Dental Care with Dr. Sandra Aljure-Estrada, she’ll evaluate your teeth and gums to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
She’ll also explain the process in detail and answer any questions you may have so you feel informed and confident in your decision.
Procedure
Our team will perform your procedure under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Once we’ve removed the excess gum and bone tissue, we’ll carefully clean and suture the area.
Afterward, we’ll provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.
Results
The results of aesthetic crown lengthening are impressive and can dramatically improve the appearance of your smile.
In addition to the cosmetic benefits, the procedure can also boost your self-confidence and self-esteem. With a more attractive smile, you’ll feel more confident in your personal and professional life.
Recovery
It’ll take some time to fully heal from your crown lengthening procedure. Typically, you can expect a recovery time of about three months.
But that doesn’t mean that you can’t return to your normal daily activities. Most people go back to work or school within two to three days after surgery.
The exception is if your daily tasks involve physical exertion or heavy lifting. In that case, you might have to wait longer before returning to your normal daily routine.
Crown Lengthening Vs. Gum Contouring
If you’re unhappy with your smile because your gum line comes too far down the surface of your front teeth, you may have a condition commonly referred to as a “gummy smile.”
One of the most effective ways to address this problem is with gum contouring, in which Dr. Aljure-Estrada removes a portion of the gum tissue using a laser to expose more tooth surface.
But if you’re also dissatisfied with the shape of your front teeth, simply removing excess gum tissue will not resolve the problem.
Aesthetic crown lengthening not only involves removing gum tissue but also recontours the bone tissue and improves the shape and/or length of your teeth, often in preparation for veneers or crowns.
Is Crown Lengthening Right for You?
Crown lengthening can improve oral health, but most people choose the procedure to enhance the appearance of their smiles. If you have a “gummy smile” but otherwise have good oral and overall health, you’re probably a good candidate for this procedure.
Your dentist may recommend crown lengthening for reasons beyond aesthetics. Excess gum tissue can conceal other dental problems, such as damaged or decayed teeth.
In these circumstances, your dentist may recommend crown lengthening to resolve those oral health issues.