Crown Lenghening in Horsham, PA

In such cases, we do crown lengthening to lower the gum and bone level a bit, thus exposing more of the solid tooth structure. Now we have a sufficient “crown” of tooth to work with, and we can place a new restoration that the gum will healthily seal around. It essentially prevents future issues like recurrent decay or gum inflammation by ensuring the restoration margin is accessible and cleansable. If a tooth is broken or decayed near the gumline, there may not be enough visible tooth above the gum to properly attach a crown or filling. For example, say a molar has a large cavity that goes below the gum – simply filling or crowning it might fail because the restoration edge would be too deep under the gum, hard to keep clean, and could impinge on the gum attachment (causing chronic irritation). In such cases, we do crown lengthening to lower the gum and bone level a bit, thus exposing more of the solid tooth structure. Now we have a sufficient “crown” of tooth to work with, and we can place a new restoration that the gum will healthily seal around. It essentially prevents future issues like recurrent decay or gum inflammation by ensuring the restoration margin is accessible and cleansable.

Cosmetic crown lengthening (gum recontouring): Some people have what’s known as a “gummy smile,” where the gums cover a lot of the tooth crown, making teeth appear short. This could be due to genetics or a condition called altered passive eruption. By carefully removing some gum tissue (and possibly a little bone) around the front teeth, we can expose more of the natural tooth surface. The teeth then look longer and more proportionate. The difference can be dramatic – suddenly the smile shows beautiful teeth rather than mostly pink gums. Often this is done in conjunction with veneers or whitening for a full smile makeover, but it can also be a standalone cosmetic fix.

What does crown lengthening involve? It’s usually done under local anesthesia right in our office. We make small incisions and gently reflect the gum tissue away from the teeth in the area. If just soft tissue needs removal, we might do it with a laser or scalpel. If bone needs recontouring (common for functional lengthening), we use instruments to shape the bone around the tooth root, typically removing a few millimeters. Then we reposition the gum at a lower level and suture it in place. For crown preps, sometimes we do the crown lengthening and place a temporary crown the same day; then, after healing (about 6-8 weeks to let gums settle), we make the final crown.

If only soft tissue is adjusted (like minor cosmetic cases), healing is quicker and simpler. When bone is adjusted, the site might be a bit more sore and need careful oral hygiene during initial healing.

Post-surgery, you might experience some mild discomfort and swelling for a few days. Pain is usually very manageable with ibuprofen or Tylenol. We’ll give you instructions like using a chlorhexidine mouthrinse to keep the area clean without vigorous brushing initially, and be on a soft diet for a day or two. Stitches, if not dissolvable, come out in 1-2 weeks. Gums will continue to mature over several weeks, so we usually wait before doing final impressions for crowns or before assessing final cosmetic results.

Patients in Horsham who have had crown lengthening with us often remark that the procedure was easier than they expected. The functional ones are grateful they could save a tooth that otherwise might have been too broken to restore. And our cosmetic crown lengthening patients are thrilled when they see more tooth and less gum in their smiles – often they didn’t realize their teeth were a normal length hiding under there!

If you’ve been told you need crown lengthening by another dentist or suspect a gummy smile fix, come consult with Dr. Lala or Dr. Mathews. We’ll explain the process and ensure you’re comfortable every step of the way. With careful planning and execution, crown lengthening can significantly improve both dental health and smile appearance.