How Long Does Crown Lengthening Take?
Crown Lengthening
There have been incredible enhancements and innovations in modern dentistry. New and changing procedures allow dental professionals to treat more dental issues than ever before. If a dentist or periodontist recommend that patients undergo crown lengthening, they will likely have questions. Below is a summary of the procedure and common questions including how long crown lengthening takes to complete.
Procedure
Prior to discussing how long crown lengthening takes, patients must first understand the crown lengthening procedure. Crown lengthening is a minor periodontal surgery where the periodontist removes excess gum tissue and exposes additional tooth surface. In some cases, they may need to also remove bone tissue.
The procedure will begin with the patient receiving a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. This ensures patients do not experience pain and remain comfortable. Following the removal of gum tissue, the area will be rinsed with a saline solution. The gums are then reshaped if needed and the area is sutured closed. This helps ensure the gums maintain their shape and aid in protecting the gums while the heal. Gauze or a bandage may also be placed over the area which was treated.
Candidates
Below is a summary of patients who are often good candidates for crown lengthening:
- Patients with a damaged or decayed teeth who need to have a crown placed but lack adequate tooth surface required for placement. Crown lengthening exposes additional tooth structure which ensures the crown can be properly placed. When crown lengthening is not performed in this case, the natural tooth is at risk for additional damage, and it can also result in failure of the crown.
- Crown lengthening is also commonly performed for aesthetic reasons. Patients with excess gum tissue have what is called a gummy smile. This makes the teeth appear to be smaller than normal. Removing excess tissue improves the appearance of the teeth and the symmetry of the patient’s smile.
Procedure Length
The actual surgical component of crown lengthening is a relatively quick, outpatient procedure. The entire crown lengthening process, however, is more involved. A summary of the components involved with the procedure and how they impact timeline is outlined below:
- Dental professionals will obtain and review x-rays. A temporary crown is then placed if necessary to protect the damaged tooth. Surgery is then scheduled with the periodontist.
- The duration of surgery will depend on how many teeth are being treated. Some patients may require treatment of just a few teeth while other patients may need to have work performed on the entire arch of teeth.
- Pain and swelling are perfectly normal immediately following the procedure. This can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and an ice pack. Patients should consume soft foods and avoid brushing or flossing around the treatment area. Patients can use a salt rinse during the first few days to keep their mouth clean.
- The stitches are removed within about a week to ten days.
- A follow-up appointment is scheduled about four to six weeks after the procedure to ensure the mouth is healing and recovering as expected.
- It can take up to three months or more for the gums to heal completely. Once the gums are fully recovered, the permanent crown can be placed.
From start to finish, the process will take a few months to complete. Contact the office today to schedule an appointment and determine if you may be a good candidate for crown lengthening. The team is happy to answer any questions you have regarding the length of the procedure and recovery timeline.