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Dental Crown Lengthening

There are two reasons why individuals need a dental crown lengthening procedure: to properly restore a tooth or to make a "gummy smile" more attractive and cosmetic dentistry can help with both.

To properly restore a tooth, several millimeters of healthy tooth structure must be available above the crest of supporting bone. However, this often is not the case when teeth are fractured, severely decayed, or worn. If enough tooth structure is not available, and the restorations are placed too close to the bone, the body reacts by creating a chronic inflammatory reaction that can create red, swollen, and sensitive gums. The gums can bleed easily and even become painful. Eventually, the inflammatory reaction may lead to bone loss around the tooth. To prevent these problems and to properly restore the tooth, the patient should have a dental crown lengthening procedure before restorative treatment.

The gummy smile may be the result of gum tissue growing over teeth that are of proper size. Often times teeth that appear small are, in fact, normal-sized teeth that are hiding under excess gum tissue. Dental crown lengthening removes the excess gum tissue and establishes a more appealing gum line.

What to Expect from Dental Crown Lengthening

Dental crown lengthening is a surgical procedure in which gum and bone tissue is removed from the circumference of the tooth. It is done in the dentist's office with local anesthesia (lidocaine). One or several teeth can be treated at the same time. After carefully reshaping the gum and the bone to expose healthy tooth structure, stitches (sutures) are placed to aid in healing. The stitches are usually removed five to ten days after the surgery. Follow-up appointments are scheduled as necessary to evaluate healing and plaque control. The gums should be allowed to heal for six to eight weeks before making any new restorations. At that time, the gums are more stable and better esthetic results can be achieved.

Post-surgical discomfort can last a few days and is usually minimal. It can be easily managed with commonly available over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Patients can expect to follow their normal routine the day after surgery.

Benefits of Dental Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is recommended to properly restore a broken down tooth or to improve the esthetics of a gummy smile. If a general or cosmetic dentist does not frequently do surgeries, he or she may refer the individual to a periodontist who specializes in dental crown lengthening.

By Laura Minsk, DMD

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Cosmetic Dental Care: Discover Your Beautiful New Smile

Choice is a wonderful thing. It can mean the opportunity to look a dozen years younger than your actual age. Which, in this youth-obsessed culture, gives you extra advantages, whether you're thirty-something or a grandparent.

These choices include your teeth. Not just movie stars, but adults in all walks of life, are opting for cosmetic dental care that restore youthful vitality to their skin and faces. You might be surprised by the role fresh "young" teeth play in creating that overall first impression.

Your cosmetic dentist can bring you up to date on the incredible and youth-restoring dental options, like dental crowns and veneers, that are available to you. Options available at a fraction of the cost of risky and invasive surgery such as, say, a face-lift.

Whichever restorative dentistry procedure you agree to, or decline, is your personal choice. For example, suppose you're missing teeth. Maybe the gap doesn't show, and you've lived with it for awhile. Replacement with dental crowns or dental bridges might be recommended. The consequences of living with missing teeth are important, but the choice to replace that missing tooth and get one step closer to a beautiful smile is yours.

Just the same, it's your mouth and your decision. Whenever you have questions about your care, ask your local dentist and together you can do what's right for you.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.