Join Dr. J's Smile Club!
Crown Lengthening – Zionsville, IN
Get Rid of Gummy Smiles
with Crown Lengthening
Is there a bit too much gum visible when you open your lips? Or are your teeth looking a little too small? In many cases, your smile can be made more beautiful by exposing more of the tooth with a process called crown lengthening (sometimes called a gum lift). Dr. Angelo M. Julovich is happy to offer this surgery to patients who would like to make cosmetic improvements; you can contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss treatment options, including crown lengthening in Zionsville, IN.
Why Choose Trinity Dental for Crown Lengthening?
- Pain-Free Crown Lengthening
- Experienced & Skilled Dentist
- Fix Gummy Smiles & Uneven Gumlines
What is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening involves the removal of excess gum tissue and bone around the upper teeth. It’s often used if there’s not enough room for a medically necessary dental crown to be placed, but the procedure can also be used for cosmetic purposes, such as an overly pronounced or uneven gumline.
Sometimes crown lengthening may not always be the best solution for improving your smile. If your teeth are particularly wide, for example, they may look too big afterwards. At Trinity Dental, Dr. Julovich will thoroughly examine your mouth and help you determine the best approach.
The Crown Lengthening Process
How long a crown lengthening surgery takes depends on how many teeth are being worked on. Sometimes neighboring teeth will be included to help the overall reshaping process.
After applying local anesthesia, we’ll will simply remove a little gum tissue, but occasionally some bone might need to be taken out as well. Once the surgery is complete, the site will be rinsed with sterile salt water and the gums will receive stitches.
Advantages of Crown Lengthening
In addition to creating a prettier, more symmetrical smile, there are other benefits to crown lengthening:
- While some cosmetic dentistry treatments require touching-up later, crown lengthening only needs to be done once to achieve permanent results.
- The surgery can be done very quickly, usually between 30 minutes and an hour.
- Because more of the enamel is exposed, the risk of decay is lessened because it’s easier to clean the entire tooth.
Recovering from Surgery
You’ll need to use ice to keep down any swelling for a few hours; you may also receive a prescription pain reliever. The stitches will be removed in 7 to 10 days; until then, you’ll need to maintain a diet of soft foods and be very careful while brushing in that area.
If a new crown is needed, the gums will be allowed about three months to heal before it’s placed, otherwise the gums could shrink and expose the edges of the crown. Other cosmetic procedures, such as porcelain veneers, can be considered once healing is complete.
Crown Lengthening FAQs
What is the difference between crown lengthening and gum recontouring?
The terms “crown lengthening” and “gum recontouring” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are actually different things! Both procedures reshape the gumline, but they serve different goals. Gum recontouring often focuses on the look of your smile by removing or shaping excess gum tissue. Crown lengthening may support your smile’s beauty as well, yet it can also create room for a crown, filling, or other restoration when too little tooth shows above the gumline. Whereas gum recontouring focuses on soft tissue modification, crown lengthening may also involve altering the underlying bone.
At our dental practice, we will take time to explain which option fits your needs before treatment begins. If you have any questions about what your recommended care will include, do not hesitate to ask!
Does crown lengthening hurt?
Your comfort is important to us during every stage of your care. Before crown lengthening in our Zionsville office, we will numb the treatment area with local anesthetic so you do not experience any pain. You may sense pressure, but you should not feel sharp discomfort while we work.
After the anesthetic wears off, mild soreness, tenderness, or swelling can occur. We will give you clear instructions for home care, diet, oral hygiene, and medication use when appropriate. If you experience severe pain or other unusual symptoms as you recover, reach out to our team right away.
When can I resume my normal diet and other routine activities after crown lengthening?
Many patients resume light daily activities within a day or two, based on the extent of treatment and how they feel. After 7 – 10 days, you may feel relatively normal. In the meantime, we may advise you to avoid strenuous exercise at first so the area can heal with less swelling and bleeding risk.
For meals, choose soft, cool, or room-temperature foods during the early stage of recovery. Avoid hard, crunchy, spicy, sticky, or very hot foods until we let you know that the gum tissue has healed enough. After the recommended healing period, you can start to try broaden your dietary choices. If a food causes irritation or discomfort, stop eating it and try again after a few days.
How much does crown lengthening cost?
The cost of crown lengthening can vary from person to person because each smile has unique needs. Factors can include the number of teeth treated, the amount of gum or bone reshaping needed, the reason for treatment, and any related restorative care. We will provide a clear estimate before you make a decision.
We can also walk you through payment options. When crown lengthening is medically necessary, insurance may cover a portion of its cost. We also accept financing and have an in-house discount plan.
Who is a good candidate for crown lengthening?
You may be a good candidate for crown lengthening if a tooth needs a crown or filling but lacks enough visible structure above the gumline. This can happen after deep decay, a fracture, or wear near the gums. Some patients also choose treatment to improve the aesthetic balance between teeth and gums.
Your oral and overall health should meet certain criteria before you undergo any type of oral surgery. For example, any active gum disease should be treated. The surgery is also not advised for pregnant individuals unless the situation is particularly urgent.