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Dental Crown Lengthening
New Bedford, Falmouth, & Hyannis, MA




Crown Lengthening provided by and in New Bedford, Falmouth, & Hyannis, MA at

Image of a dental crown at Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry.Your smile is a very important feature of your face. It is typically the first thing that others notice about you. The quality of your smile plays a big role in how others see you and the impressions that you make. A major factor in how your smile looks is the appearance of your teeth. Even if you have perfect teeth, your smile might still not be what you had hoped. This is because your gums are also an important feature in your smile. Excess gum tissue can impact the appearance of your teeth and the overall quality of your smile. It can also impact the health of your mouth. At Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we can help to improve your smile, and your oral health, with a dental crown lengthening.

What is a Dental Crown Lengthening?


A dental crown lengthening is a procedure that is done to remove excess gum tissue that is covering too much of the surface area of your teeth. The procedure can be used if several teeth are covered by excess tissue or even if one tooth is affected. Typically, the adjacent teeth are also treated, helping to provide a more natural, more aesthetic result. In some cases, we may also need to remove a small amount of bone in the process to provide you with the best results.

Traditionally a dental crown lengthening has been done using a scalpel. Today, however, we can perform the procedure using a dental laser. A laser is a tool that uses a concentrated beam of light. The light can remove the necessary tissue while cauterizing it at the same time. This helps to reduce the amount of bleeding you experience. It also provides us with incredible accuracy. This means that we only remove the necessary tissue while reducing tissue trauma. In turn, this reduces any pain and swelling after your procedure is complete.

How a Crown Lengthening Improves Your Smile


Excess gum tissue can lead to what is often referred to as a gummy smile. When you smile, most of what others see is your gum tissue. The tissue covers over your teeth, causing them to appear much smaller than they are. The goal of a crown lengthening is to remove excess gum tissue. By doing so, this helps to expose more of the surface area of your teeth, making them appear longer and more natural. The procedure helps to give balance to your smile, enhancing its beauty.

Crown Lengthening for Crown Placement


A damaged tooth may require a crown. This is a restoration that encases the tooth, providing it with protection from further damage and infections while also restoring its strength. To provide optimal protection, the crown needs to encase the entire visible surface of the tooth. If you have excess gum tissue, this can prevent your crown from fitting properly. The crown may not be placed correctly, which impacts its effectiveness. With a dental crown lengthening, we can expose more of the surface area of the tooth, ensuring a proper fit for your dental restoration.

Treating Cavities


Cavities at the gum line can be difficult to treat. Some of the decay may be hidden below the gum line. This can prevent proper cleaning of the cavity as well as to prevent proper treatment. By removing some of the gum tissue, we can expose the entire cavity, allowing for a thorough cleaning. It also enables us to fill the cavity, protecting your tooth and improving your oral health.

Improving Periodontal Health


Excess gum tissue can make your mouth harder to keep clean. The tissue can provide hiding places for oral bacteria, which can increase your risk of developing gum disease. Removing the excess tissue can help to make your mouth easier to maintain. When you can keep your mouth properly clean, your risk for developing gum disease, and other oral health issues, decreases.


FAQs




What is dental crown lengthening?



Dental crown lengthening is a procedure that removes excess gum tissue to expose more of the tooth’s surface. This can be done for cosmetic reasons to improve a gummy smile or for functional purposes, such as preparing a tooth for a crown or treating cavities near the gum line.



Why might I need dental crown lengthening?



You might need dental crown lengthening to improve the appearance of a gummy smile, to ensure a crown fits properly, or to treat cavities at or below the gum line. The procedure can also enhance periodontal health by making it easier to clean your teeth and gums effectively.



How is dental crown lengthening performed?



Dental crown lengthening can be performed using a scalpel or a dental laser. A laser is often preferred as it allows for precise tissue removal, reduces bleeding, and minimizes tissue trauma. In some cases, a small amount of bone may also need to be removed to achieve optimal results.



What are the benefits of dental crown lengthening?



Dental crown lengthening offers both cosmetic and functional benefits. It can enhance the appearance of your smile, improve the fit of dental crowns, allow for proper cavity treatment, and make it easier to maintain good oral hygiene. It also reduces the risk of gum disease by eliminating excess tissue that can harbor bacteria.



Is dental crown lengthening painful?



Dental crown lengthening is performed under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. While some discomfort or swelling may occur afterward, it can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and following your periodontist’s post-operative care instructions.



How long does it take to recover from dental crown lengthening?



Recovery from dental crown lengthening usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks. During this time, you may experience mild discomfort and will need to follow specific dietary and oral hygiene instructions provided by your periodontist to ensure proper healing.


Contact Us Today!


If excess gum tissue is affecting your smile and the health of your mouth, a dental crown lengthening can help. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at 508-204-3145 today.


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Crown Lengthening - New Bedford • Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
At Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we can help to improve your smile, and your oral health, with a dental crown lengthening.
Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, 930 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA 02740-6623 / 508-996-3131 / advancedperio.org / 1/21/2025 / Associated Words: Periodontist New Bedford MA Falmouth MA /