Crown lengthening is a common dental procedure that exposes more of your natural tooth structure to address functional or cosmetic concerns that affect many patients. Similar to plastic surgery procedures, this crown lengthening is sometimes referred to as a “gum lift.”
Understanding when crown lengthening becomes necessary helps you recognize dental issues before they worsen. Dr. Jay Laudenbach and Dr. Ishita Bhavsar at Laudenbach Periodontics & Dental Implants in Philadelphia perform this procedure regularly, addressing everything from tooth decay below the gum line to “gummy smile” concerns that affect your confidence.
Preparing Teeth for Restorations
Dentists frequently recommend crown lengthening when placing crowns or other restorations. Your tooth needs adequate structure above the gum line to support a crown properly. Without enough exposed tooth, the crown won’t fit correctly or stay in place long-term.
Decay or fractures that extend below the gum line create similar challenges. The damaged portion must be accessible for your dentist to remove decay completely and prepare the tooth for restoration. Crown lengthening exposes the compromised area, allowing your dentist to work on healthy tooth structure. This access ensures your restoration bonds properly and lasts for years without complications. Patients who need extensive restorative work often combine crown lengthening with other periodontal therapy procedures to achieve optimal results.
Correcting Gummy Smiles
A gummy smile occurs when excessive gum tissue covers your teeth, making them appear short or square. This condition doesn’t typically cause functional problems, but it affects how you feel about your smile. Many people with gummy smiles hesitate to smile fully in photos or social situations.
Crown lengthening removes excess gum tissue to reveal more of your natural tooth structure. The procedure creates better proportions between your gums and teeth, producing a more balanced appearance. Some cases require removing small amounts of bone beneath the gums to achieve the desired result. The outcome gives you longer-looking teeth and a smile you feel proud to show.
Treating Uneven Gum Lines
Your gum line should follow a consistent curve across your smile. When gum tissue sits at different heights on adjacent teeth, your smile appears uneven or asymmetric. This irregularity might result from genetics, medications that cause gum overgrowth, or inflammation from gum disease.
Crown lengthening evens out the gum line by carefully reshaping tissue around affected teeth. The procedure creates symmetry and improves the overall aesthetics of your smile. Patients concerned about gum recession on some teeth while having excess tissue on others benefit from combining recession treatment with crown lengthening to achieve balanced gum contours.
Addressing Tooth Eruption Problems
Sometimes teeth don’t erupt fully through the gums, a condition called altered passive eruption. The tooth is fully formed beneath the tissue, but excess gum covers more of the crown than it should. This creates the appearance of short, stubby teeth even though normal-length teeth exist underneath.
Crown lengthening corrects this eruption problem by removing the extra gum tissue covering your teeth. The procedure reveals the full length of your tooth crowns, dramatically changing your smile’s appearance. Adults who always felt their teeth looked too small often discover they have normal-sized teeth hidden beneath excessive gum tissue.
Improving Oral Hygiene Access
Excess gum tissue creates pockets and crevices where bacteria accumulate. These hard-to-clean areas increase your risk of developing periodontal disease or experiencing recurring infections. Crown lengthening removes tissue that traps bacteria, making your mouth easier to keep clean.
The procedure also helps when gum tissue grows over the edges of existing crowns or fillings. This overgrowth, called “hyperplasia,” creates an ideal environment for plaque buildup and inflammation. Removing the excess tissue restores proper contours that you can clean effectively with regular brushing and flossing. Patients who maintain good oral hygiene after crown lengthening enjoy healthier gums and a reduced risk of future dental problems.
What the Procedure Involves
Crown lengthening is typically performed under local anesthesia in our office. Dr. Laudenbach or Dr. Bhavsar carefully removes excess gum tissue and, when necessary, reshapes the underlying bone to achieve the desired tooth exposure. The procedure duration depends on how many teeth require treatment, ranging from under an hour for a single tooth to longer for multiple teeth.
Recovery takes about two weeks for initial healing, though complete tissue maturation requires several months. You’ll follow a soft diet immediately after surgery and maintain careful oral hygiene around the treated area. Most patients experience minimal discomfort managed easily with over-the-counter pain relievers. We schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your healing and ensure optimal results. Our Fotona laser technology can enhance healing and reduce recovery time for crown lengthening procedures.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Best Smile
Crown lengthening solves both functional and cosmetic dental concerns with a straightforward surgical procedure. Whether you need adequate tooth structure for a restoration, want to correct a gummy smile, or struggle with uneven gum lines, this treatment can transform your oral health and appearance. Dr. Laudenbach and Dr. Bhavsar’s specialized training in periodontics ensures precise, predictable results that protect your long-term dental health.At Laudenbach Periodontics & Dental Implants, we combine advanced techniques with personalized care to help you achieve the smile you deserve. Our team takes time to understand your concerns and explain how crown lengthening addresses your specific needs. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and discover how this procedure can improve your dental health and boost your confidence.
