Crown Lengthening
What Is Crown Lengthening?
Reasons For Choosing Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening can be chosen for the following reasons:
If the tooth structure is not strong
If there is a broken tooth near the gum line
The extended gumline covers the length of the tooth
If the previous crown is missing, that can lead to tooth decay
What Are The Benefits Of Crown Lengthening?
Convenient and Quick – The procedure takes 30-60 minutes, making it simple and quick. The crown lengthening is a convenient option since it is completed with just one appointment and a pain-free session done with local anesthesia.
Advanced Laser Technology: The scalpel usage becomes an old-school method to cut the excess gum tissue, and the Highline Dental Practice uses the latest laser device that cuts the gum tissue precisely. The usage of laser technology has many benefits, such as minimal bleeding, there will be no need for stitches to recover faster, it causes much less discomfort, and the incisions turn out to be precise, keeping the gumline perfectly aligned.
Eliminating Infected Tissue: Periodontal diseases lead to loss of teeth and other health issues since the neural and bloodstream are also connected to the tooth structure. Removing the damaged tissue will be the best solution since it stops it from spreading further. The crown lengthening procedure removes the infected tissues.
Confident Smile: With a gummy smile, it is natural to lose confidence to smile. The crown lengthening process allows you to show more of your surface teeth with a brighter and more confident smile.
The procedure of Crown Lengthening
- Brushing twice a day
- Flossing once a day
- Use mouthwash regularly
- A yearly visit to the dentist to evaluate your oral health
The crown lengthening procedure is performed in 3 different methods depending on the assessment of teeth, gum structure, and the teeth’ surroundings.
The factors that are considered in choosing the type of surgery are:
- The aesthetic factors
- The appearance of the root and its proximity in the teeth structure
- Traces of bone loss
- The length difference between the crown and its root is known as a crown-to-root ratio.
- The location area of the affected tooth/teeth
- The necessity for the tooth filling
Some of the common techniques of crown lengthening are:
Surgical Expulsion
When the tooth is wounded with a fracture beneath the gum, the surgical expulsion method is used to move the tooth to the desired gumline location, and there may also be the use of wire to keep the tooth anchored to the teeth surrounding the injured tooth.
Flap Tissue Surgery
In this technique, an incision is made in the teeth’ gums, creating a flap of tissue. On understanding the required tooth length, extra tissues and a part of the bone are also removed. The flap is stitched to the root of the tooth with sutures and is covered with a bandage until the healing process is done.
Gingivectomy
In this process, the gum tissue is removed by the traditional scalpel method or by laser technology. This procedure involves the usage of anesthesia, and the healing process takes 6-7 weeks, and the pain reduces in just a few days post-procedure.
Post-Operative Care of Crown Lengthening
Completing the crown lengthening process requires at least 2-3 months to recover and normalize the gums’ function. For the initial few days post-procedure, avoiding strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects, gym activities, and any physically demanding job is better. If any such activities are done, it leads to bleeding and delays healing.
Some of the general guidelines that you can follow during the recovery process are:
- Be sure to take the prescribed medicines. The prescribed antibiotics and painkillers are very necessary for the healing of pain and also to avoid any infections.
- To reduce the swelling, use an ice pack on the facial area for a few hours post-surgery. Use it alternatively for 20 minutes which gives relief from pain and swelling.
- You should avoid hot foods for the initial 24 hours since they may prolong the bleeding. You can control prolonged bleeding by pressing wet gauze slightly in the surgical area.
- The wound dressing has to be done at least twice post-surgery.
- It would help if you did not use the surgical area for chewing the food until the healing process is completed.
- Brushing teeth should be done gently in the mouth area during the healing process, and regular flossing is a must.
- If the post-op care instructions include wearing a denture or stent, it should be done for 24 hours without ignoring its importance. If the bleeding persists with a denture or stent, rinsing in lukewarm salt water will be helpful. You can remove the denture after the given deadline.
- Consume only soft and liquid foods, and avoid eating spicy, brittle, hard foods, small seeds, and nuts.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking until the doctor gives the go-ahead for it.
- Do not apply pressure in the surgical area with straws, tongue, or finger since it may cause serious damage to the surgical area.
FAQ
1. Is crown lengthening painful?
A local anesthetic will be used almost always throughout crown lengthening procedures, and many patients also choose dental sedation to lessen their discomfort. As a result, the surgery itself will be almost painless.
2. how long after crown lengthening can I get a crown?
After crown lengthening, the restorative dentist should wait 6 to 8 weeks before taking final impressions if a crown is to be put in a cosmetic region. This guarantees that the gum is in its final place when it heals and slightly contracts as it attaches to the tooth.
3. What to eat after crown lengthening?
You could consider consuming eggs, custard, yogurt, spaghetti, steamed veggies, casseroles, and prepared cereals in the days immediately after surgery. Avoid meals and beverages that are very hot, cold, acidic, spicy, or sour.
4. Is crown lengthening necessary?
There are several dental problems for which crown lengthening is advised. Too-short teeth, severe below-the-gum tooth rot, and damaged or fractured teeth are the most frequent disorders that call for crown lengthening.
5. Can I drink coffee after crown lengthening?
It is crucial that you refrain from consuming any hot beverages for up to two or three days following the surgery, including coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. An issue for the surgical site and its ability to heal might result from increased bleeding brought on by the heat of the coffee.