Creating the Foundation for Healthy Restorations & Aesthetics
Crown lengthening is a precise surgical procedure performed by an oral surgeon to reshape the gum tissue, and sometimes underlying bone, around one or more teeth. Its purpose is to expose more of the natural tooth structure above the gumline. This becomes necessary when a tooth is broken or decayed close to or below the gum level, or sometimes to improve the aesthetics of a "gummy" smile. The specialists at WISE Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists skillfully perform crown lengthening procedures across our Alabama locations to enable successful dental work and enhance smile harmony. If your dentist recommended this procedure, contact us for an expert evaluation.
Reasons for Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening addresses two primary categories of dental needs, ensuring both health and cosmetic goals can be met:
Restorative Requirements
Often, a tooth suffers decay or fracture extending below the gumline. To properly restore such a tooth with a filling or crown, your dentist needs adequate sound tooth structure exposed above the gum and bone level. Crown lengthening surgically creates this necessary space, allowing for a durable restoration that doesn't impinge on crucial gum health attachment (biological width).
Aesthetic Enhancements
Some individuals display excessive gum tissue when smiling, making their teeth appear disproportionately short (a "gummy smile"). Aesthetic crown lengthening carefully removes a small amount of this excess gum tissue (and sometimes minuscule amounts of bone) across several front teeth to reveal more natural tooth length, creating a more balanced, harmonious, and proportionate smile line.
The Crown Lengthening Procedure at WISE Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists
Your crown lengthening procedure involves careful planning, often in coordination with your referring general dentist's restorative plan. During your consultation at WISE Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists, Dr. Walsh or Dr. Vila will examine the area, review any necessary imaging, and discuss the surgical goals clearly. Your comfort is ensured through effective anesthesia options, typically local anesthetic, although sedation can be provided for enhanced relaxation if desired.
The surgery involves meticulously reshaping the gum tissue around the targeted tooth or teeth to expose the desired amount of structure. In many cases, especially for restorative needs, a small amount of the underlying bone may also need to be carefully recontoured to create adequate space between the bone crest and the future restoration margin. Fine sutures are then placed to position the gum tissue at its new level. Our team provides detailed instructions for managing the brief healing period smoothly.
Types of Anesthesia
We offer several levels of anesthesia and sedation to match the procedure complexity and your personal comfort requirements:
Key Benefits of Crown Lengthening Surgery
This precise surgical procedure performed by our oral surgeons provides essential advantages for both restorative dental needs and achieving ideal smile aesthetics:
Creates the necessary exposed tooth structure above the bone for your dentist to securely place a durable, well-fitting crown or filling without compromising surrounding gum health.
Establishes appropriate contours and biological space between the gum tissue, bone, and dental restoration, reducing the risk of chronic inflammation or periodontal issues developing later.
Effectively reduces excessive gingival display by precisely reshaping the gumline across the front teeth, revealing more tooth length for a balanced, aesthetically pleasing smile appearance.
By providing a solid, accessible tooth foundation and ensuring healthy surrounding gum tissue, crown lengthening significantly contributes to the long-term success and durability of dental crowns or veneers.
Addresses issues related to deep decay or subgingival fractures proactively, preventing potential future problems like persistent gum inflammation, periodontal pockets, or eventual restoration failure due to inadequate tooth structure.
Hear From Our Patients
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is crown lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a common surgical procedure where gum tissue, and sometimes a small amount of underlying bone, is reshaped around a tooth (or teeth). This carefully performed surgery exposes more of the tooth's natural structure that was previously hidden below the gumline.
Why would my general dentist recommend crown lengthening?
Your dentist might recommend this procedure if a tooth is broken off near the gumline, has significant decay below the gum level, or if there simply isn't enough visible tooth structure remaining to securely anchor a new dental crown, veneer, or filling properly for long-term success.
Is crown lengthening painful?
The procedure itself is performed using effective local anesthesia to ensure you feel no pain during the surgery; sedation options are also available for anxiety. Post-operative discomfort is generally considered mild to moderate, often less than an extraction, and typically managed well with over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers as needed.
How long does healing take after crown lengthening?
Initial gum healing usually occurs within one to two weeks, during which time any sutures may dissolve or be removed. However, the gum tissues require several more weeks (often 6-8 weeks or longer) to fully mature and stabilize at their new position before your general dentist can typically proceed with placing the final dental restoration safely.
Will the procedure change how my tooth and gum look?
Yes, the explicit goal is to change the appearance by revealing more of your natural tooth. The gumline around the treated tooth (or teeth, in aesthetic cases) will be positioned lower down on the tooth surface after healing, creating the necessary space for restoration or achieving a less "gummy" smile appearance.
Achieve Optimal Restoration & Aesthetics in Alabama
If your general dentist has recommended crown lengthening to facilitate necessary restorative work, or if you are interested in addressing a "gummy" smile, consult the surgical specialists at WISE Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Specialists. Contact our Trussville, Prattville, or Birmingham office today to schedule your evaluation with Drs. Walsh or Vila for expert, personalized care focused on your oral health needs.