Crown Lengthening
Crown Lengthening in Scarborough - Restore Teeth
The gums provide an important foundation for your teeth and restorations while also contributing to the appearance of your smile.
In some situations, there may not be enough tooth structure exposed above the gum line to properly restore a tooth. In other cases, excess gum tissue can make teeth appear shorter than they actually are.
Crown lengthening reshapes the gum tissue and, when necessary, the underlying bone to create a healthier and more appropriate gum-to-tooth relationship.
Conventional Crown Lengthening
Conventional crown lengthening may be recommended when damage to a tooth extends below the gum line.
For example, a tooth may have:
- A fracture extending beneath the gum
- Extensive decay
- A large or damaged filling
- Insufficient tooth structure available for a crown or other restoration
When the damaged portion of the tooth extends too far below the gum line, your dentist may not have enough healthy tooth structure to properly restore it.
During crown lengthening, excess gum tissue and, when necessary, a small amount of surrounding bone are reshaped to expose more of the healthy tooth.
This gives your dentist better access to the remaining tooth structure and creates the space needed to properly place a restoration.
Why Is This Important?
A restoration needs adequate healthy tooth structure to provide proper support and retention.
By exposing more of the tooth, crown lengthening can allow the restorative dentist to properly access and restore the tooth while helping maintain a healthy relationship between the restoration and surrounding gum tissue.
Aesthetic Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening can also be performed to improve the appearance of a smile.
Some people naturally have more gum tissue covering their teeth, which can make the visible portions of the teeth appear shorter. This is sometimes referred to as a “gummy smile.”
Aesthetic crown lengthening reshapes the gum line to expose more of the natural tooth and create a more balanced gum-to-tooth proportion.
The result can be a more defined and harmonious smile.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
The exact treatment depends on why crown lengthening is being performed and the amount of tissue that needs to be reshaped.
01
Examination & Planning
Your dentist evaluates your teeth, gums, smile, and overall oral health.
The treatment is carefully planned to determine how much gum tissue and, when necessary, bone should be removed or reshaped.
02
Reshaping the Gum Tissue
The gum tissue around the tooth is carefully repositioned to expose more of the tooth structure or create the desired gum contour.
03
Bone Contouring When Needed
In some cases, the underlying bone also needs to be reshaped to achieve the appropriate relationship between the tooth, bone, and gum tissue.
04
Healing & Restoration
The gum tissue is given time to heal and stabilize.
Once healing is complete, your dentist can proceed with the planned restoration, such as a crown, when crown lengthening was performed for restorative purposes.
Crown Lengthening for a Gummy Smile
When crown lengthening is performed for aesthetic reasons, the goal is to create a more balanced relationship between the teeth and gums.
Depending on your individual smile, treatment may:
- Expose more of the natural tooth
- Improve the contour of the gum line
- Make teeth appear longer
- Create a more balanced smile
Your dentist will evaluate your smile and discuss whether crown lengthening is appropriate and what type of result can reasonably be achieved.
Is Crown Lengthening Right for You?
Crown lengthening isn’t appropriate for every tooth or every smile. The procedure depends on the condition of the tooth, surrounding bone and gum tissue, and your overall treatment goals.
If a tooth has damage below the gum line or you’re concerned about excessive gum tissue affecting the appearance of your smile, an examination can help determine your options.
At Scarborough Village Dental Care, we’ll evaluate your individual needs and explain the treatment options available to you.
Meet Our Dental Team
Our Locations
Scarborough Village Dental Care
Address
Phone
Working Hours
- Monday: 9 AM - 7 PM Tuesday: 9 AM - 7 PMWednesday: 9 AM - 7 PMThursday: 9 AM - 6 PM Friday: 9 AM - 3 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 2 PM
Cliffcrest Family Dental
Address
Phone
Working Hours
- Monday: 8 AM - 8 PM Tuesday: 8 AM - 8 PMWednesday: 8 AM - 8 PMThursday: 8 AM - 8 PM Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 2 PM