Crown Lengthening Procedure in North Miami Beach, FL
Enhance Your Gums’ Health and Correct a Gummy Smile
Your smile serves as the initial impression others have of you. When excess gum tissue hinders your teeth’s visibility, it makes them appear smaller and poses challenges for effective treatment.
Fortunately, at Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry, our team of skilled dentists led by Dr. Eli Abbo offers crown lengthening, a procedure designed to reveal more of your teeth, creating the illusion of increased length and preparing them for subsequent dental interventions. Learn more by calling 305-945-0909.
What is Crown Lengthening?
Crown lengthening is a dental procedure designed to enhance gum health and prepare the mouth for restorative or cosmetic treatments. This versatile procedure involves reshaping or recontouring the bone and gum tissue, exposing more of the teeth.
Beyond its health benefits, dental crown lengthening is effective in addressing aesthetic concerns such as a “gummy” smile, where excess gum tissue covers the teeth. By creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile, crown lengthening contributes to an improvement in oral appearance.
Benefits of Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening offers a range of advantages for patients seeking both functional and cosmetic improvements:
- Restoration of Damaged Teeth: In cases where periodontal (gum) disease causes gum line recession, crown lengthening prepares the area for new restorations, such as porcelain crowns.
- Cosmetic Enhancement: Excessive gum tissue can make teeth appear unnaturally short and increase susceptibility to infections. Crown lengthening removes this excess tissue, resulting in a balanced, healthy look that enhances the appearance of the smile.
- Facilitating Dental Crowns: By creating more space between the supporting jawbone and dental crowns, crown lengthening helps prevent damage to gum tissues and bones once the crowns are in place.
What Can Crown Lengthening Fix?
Crown lengthening is a versatile procedure that can address various dental concerns:
- Gummy Smile: Excess gum tissue covering the teeth can be reshaped or removed through crown lengthening, resulting in a more proportional and visually pleasing smile.
- Gum Disease-Related Issues: Crown lengthening is effective in cases where gum disease has caused gum line recession, restoring the health of the gums and preparing the area for further dental procedures.
- Tooth Exposure for Restorations: In situations where more tooth structure needs to be exposed for restorative purposes, crown lengthening provides the necessary preparation.
- Cosmetic Balance: For individuals seeking a balanced and harmonious appearance to their smile, crown lengthening can contribute to an improvement in facial aesthetics.
The Crown Lengthening Process
Gum Removal
Before the procedure, a local anesthetic is applied to ensure a painless experience. Existing dental crowns are removed, and small incisions are made around the soft tissue to separate excess gums from the teeth.
Even if only one tooth requires reshaping, adjacent teeth are treated for uniform recontouring. In some cases, minimal extra gum tissue removal provides sufficient tooth exposure for crown placement.
Bone Adjustment
Special hand and rotary instruments remove a small amount of bone around the teeth, ensuring dental implants are a safe and precise procedure.
Aftercare Instructions
Upon achieving the desired tooth exposure, the dentist cleans the wound, sutures the gum tissue with small stitches, and applies an intraoral bandage to a natural tooth to prevent infection. Complete healing takes approximately two to three months, contingent on the individual’s oral health.
Aftercare for Crown Lengthening
Proper aftercare is crucial to ensure a smooth recovery following a crown lengthening procedure:
- Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse: A chlorhexidine mouth rinse, known for its antimicrobial properties, may be recommended to reduce bacteria attempting to recolonize on the surface of the treated teeth.
- Prescription Pain Medication: Prescriptions for pain medication may be provided to help manage any discomfort. Over-the-counter pain medication can also be used as directed.
- Intraoral Bandage: An intraoral (periodontal) bandage is applied to the surgical site to secure it and prevent infection. It plays a crucial role in the initial stages of healing.
- Healing Time: Full healing typically takes two to three months. During this period, it’s essential to follow the dentist’s aftercare instructions to promote optimal recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is crown lengthening painful?
Before the procedure, a local anesthetic is administered to ensure a pain-free experience during an outpatient procedure. Post-procedure sensitivity may occur, but it usually subsides and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
How long does crown lengthening take?
Procedure duration depends on the number of teeth treated and whether bone removal is necessary. In most cases, crown lengthening can be completed in one hour. Consult your dentist for a more accurate timeline.
How do I care for my gums after surgery?
After oral surgery itself, your dentist may recommend a chlorhexidine mouth rinse to reduce bacterial recolonization. Prescriptions for pain medication may be provided, and full gum healing typically takes two to three months.
Does insurance cover crown lengthening?
Most insurance companies partially cover temporary crown lengthening related to tooth decay or oral health issues. Consult your provider for policy details. During your initial consultation, your dentist can provide a cost estimate.
Discover How Crown Lengthening Can Improve Your Oral Health
Whether you’re troubled by a “gummy” smile or require dental care for unexposed tooth portions, Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry in North Miami Beach can enhance your smile through crown lengthening.
Contact us today at (305) 945-0909 or fill out our online form. We look forward to the opportunity to renew your smile! We also welcome patients from Ojus, North Miami, and Golden Glades, FL.
Dr. Abbo Advanced Dentistry
3031 NE 163rd Street
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Phone: 305-945-0909
Fax: 305-945-0907
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