Crown lengthening

Crown lengthening is a common dental procedure carried out for dental health and aesthetic reasons.

The procedure involves recontouring the gum tissue, and in some cases, the underlying bone as well, to expose more of a tooth’s surface to fit a crown.

When is crown lengthening necessary?

A crown lengthening treatment is necessary when your tooth’s surface is too small to hold a crown in its place.

Some patients also decide to receive crown lengthening to correct the appearance of a gummy smile, which is when too much gum tissue is exposed when smiling.

What is the average recovery time, and how should I care for the affected gum tissue?

On average, a complete recovery will take about 3 months. Immediately following your treatment, always take your medication exactly how your dentist prescribed it to you.

Use an ice pack in 20-minute intervals to reduce discomfort and swelling. Avoiding hot foods will also keep bleeding to a minimum. If you are experiencing bleeding, apply clean gauze to the area and apply slight pressure for half an hour.

When it comes to diet and other daily habits, there are a few changes you should make to secure a smooth healing process. Stick to soft foods as major chewing could irritate the incisions causing discomfort or even prohibiting proper healing. Abstain from eating hard, chewing, spicy or sticky foods as well as drinking alcohol and smoking.

Regardless of whether you are looking to crown lengthening for health or cosmetic reasons, get in touch with Primadent Limited on 01512 282 226 or e-mail primadent.limited@nhs.net for scheduling information.