Crown Lengthening in New City, NY

What is a Crown?

Before we can explain crown lengthening, it’s important for you to understand the various ways that dentists use the term “crown.” First, we use that term to describe an anatomical portion of a tooth. The crown of the tooth is the area covered by enamel and, in a perfectly healthy mouth, is protruding from the gums for normal functioning. 

We also use the term crown to describe the dental treatment that replaces diseased or defective enamel with a restorative material like metal or porcelain. Many people use the term “cap” to describe this type of crown. Crowns are necessary to restore a tooth to natural form and function when decay, fracture, or extreme wear break down significant amounts of tooth structure.

What is Crown Lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure used to expose more of the tooth for either cosmetic or restorative reasons. It requires the removal of both gum tissue and the underlying bone to produce the desired result. Crown lengthening is only an option for patients with healthy gums and sufficient supporting bone surrounding the teeth.

The goal of crown lengthening surgery is either to create a better cosmetic appearance. It leads to more successful and sustainable dental treatment when crown lengthening prepares a tooth for restoration with a dental crown.

Why Do Teeth Need Crown Lengthening?

There are two reasons for exposing more of a tooth with a crown lengthening procedure. One is cosmetic, and the other is to provide access for a dental restoration.

Cosmetic Reasons

Some people have a “gummy” smile. This means you see a noticeable length of pink gum tissue between the top of their upper front teeth and the upper lip. Many cases of gummy smiles consist of teeth that remain covered by healthy bone and gum tissue. This typically causes a “short” look to the front teeth in addition to the appearance of too much gum tissue. There are also unhealthy cases in which the excessive gum tissue is diseased or the upper jaw is too long. These are not cases for clinical crown lengthening.

When there is too much healthy bone and gum tissue covering enamel, crown lengthening is the procedure to correct this problem and improve your smile. This surgical procedure exposes the anatomical crown of the tooth. Usually, cosmetic crown lengthening addresses multiple front teeth at once.

Restorative Reasons

Crown lengthening surgery can also prepare individual teeth for a necessary dental restoration. The most common reason for this type of crown lengthening is tooth decay that extends underneath the gums and gets very close to the bone. Your dentist needs to remove this decay and restore the tooth to health, but cannot access it. The periodontist removes the bone and gum tissue, creating a new relationship with the tooth that will allow your dentist to successfully restore the tooth.

There are two important results of crown lengthening of this type. The dentist can access the furthest reaches of decay and provide a dental restoration that perfectly meets the prepared tooth. Also, the patient is then able to reach the edge of the dental work in order to keep it clean.

What to Expect During Crown Lengthening

During the actual procedure, you should feel no discomfort at all. We use local anesthetic to ensure that the surgical site is completely numb. We also offer sedation to alleviate anxiety about dental treatment.

After the procedure is complete, you may experience tenderness in the treated gum, bone, and teeth. Some tooth sensitivity is normal. Your periodontist will give you explicit post-operative instructions, which will help you manage any discomfort after the procedure.

How Long Does Crown Lengthening Recovery Take?

It’s important to allow the gums and bone at least four to six weeks for complete healing before any further dental work takes place. When your periodontist performs a crown lengthening procedure to prepare your tooth for a dental restoration, he will release you back to your general dentist for the final dental work. In most cases, this takes four to six weeks. Some cases may require a longer healing period. 

Similarly, when your periodontist performs cosmetic crown lengthening, he will release you back to normal brushing, flossing and eating when the gums show complete healing. If your cosmetic crown lengthening is to prepare you for porcelain veneers, your periodontist will communicate with your dentist when you’re ready for the continued cosmetic work.

What to Expect: The Crown Lengthening Procedure

Step 1: Consultation and Planning

Your periodontist evaluates your gums, bone levels, and overall oral health. X-rays or 3D imaging help map the anatomy of the treatment area. Together you discuss your goals, whether cosmetic or restorative, and confirm that you have sufficient healthy bone and gum tissue to support the procedure.

Step 2: Local Anesthesia

The treatment area is fully numbed with local anesthetic so you feel no discomfort during the procedure. Sedation is also available for patients who experience dental anxiety.

Step 3: Gum and Bone Reshaping

Your periodontist carefully removes a precise amount of gum tissue and, where necessary, the underlying bone to expose the desired length of tooth structure. The amount removed depends on whether the goal is cosmetic improvement or preparation for a dental restoration.

Step 4: Suturing and Dressing

The surgical site is closed with sutures and a protective dressing is placed. Most procedures are completed in a single appointment under local anesthesia.

Step 5: Healing and Follow-Up

The gums and bone typically require four to six weeks to heal fully before further dental work can take place. Your periodontist provides detailed post-operative instructions and schedules a follow-up to confirm the site is healing as expected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crown Lengthening in New City, NY

Is crown lengthening painful?

During the procedure you should feel no pain at all. Local anesthesia ensures the surgical site is completely numb, and sedation is available if needed. After the procedure, you may experience some tenderness in the treated gums, bone, and teeth. Over-the-counter pain medication is typically sufficient to manage any post-operative discomfort.

Who performs crown lengthening?

Crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure performed by a periodontist. At Rockland Dental Specialists, Dr. Shalom Mintz, our board-certified periodontist and implantologist, performs crown lengthening procedures for both cosmetic and restorative indications.

How long does crown lengthening recovery take?

The gums and bone require at least four to six weeks to heal fully before any further dental work, such as crown placement, can take place. Some cases may require a longer healing period depending on the extent of tissue removed. Your periodontist will determine when you are ready to proceed with the next phase of treatment.

What is a gummy smile and can crown lengthening fix it?

A gummy smile occurs when an excess of gum tissue is visible above the upper front teeth when smiling. In many cases this is caused by teeth that are covered by more bone and gum tissue than necessary, making the visible crown appear shorter than it is. Crown lengthening exposes the full anatomical crown of the teeth, creating a more balanced and proportionate smile.

Can crown lengthening be done on a single tooth?

Yes. When crown lengthening is performed for restorative reasons, such as exposing tooth structure beneath the gumline so a dentist can place a crown or filling, it is typically performed on a single tooth. Cosmetic crown lengthening often addresses multiple front teeth at once to create a balanced result.

When is crown lengthening necessary before a dental crown?

Crown lengthening is needed before a dental crown when decay or a fracture extends below the gumline, leaving insufficient tooth structure above the tissue for a crown to grip securely. By removing gum and bone tissue to expose more of the tooth, your periodontist creates the access your dentist needs to place a well-fitting, durable restoration.

Crown Lengthening at Rockland Dental Specialists

Rockland Dental Specialists provides crown lengthening for patients throughout New City, NY and Rockland County. Board-certified endodontists  Dr. Lisa Nava Cohen & Dr. Rachel Snyder, and board-certified periodontist and implantologist  Dr. Shalom Mintz are here to bring you the comprehensive periodontal care with precision and a focus on lasting results. We offer complimentary insurance verifications and custom payment plans to help make your care accessible. To schedule your crown lengthening consultation, fill out our contact form and our team will be in touch to speak with one of our team members about the services we offer or book an appointment online here.