Crown Lengthening
The soft tissue (gums), as well as the underlying bone form the foundation for superior esthetics, function, and comfort of your teeth. Crown lengthening is generally performed in order to maintain healthy soft tissue and bone around teeth requiring restorations. Your general dentist may refer you for a crown lengthening procedure prior to restoration of broken or severely decayed tooth (sometimes below the gumline). It is essential for the long-term success of a restored tooth. Crown lengthening can also be used in esthetic procedures involving correcting the “gummy smile”, where too much pink gum tissue is displayed hiding the crown of the tooth. What characterizes a pleasant smile can vary from person-to-person, but it usually depends on how much gingiva and tooth is exposed.
To have a harmonious and successful long-term restoration, crown lengthening exposes more of the natural tooth by reshaping bone and gum tissue. This procedure can be completed on a single and multiple teeth, or the entire gum line, to expose a healthy, aesthetically pleasing smile.