Crown Lengthening & Shortening Treatment
Providing a Lifetime of Dentistry that Cares
What is Crown Lengthening & Shortening?
If you have ever struggled with feeling like you have a “gummy smile” (a smile that displays too much of your gum), you may want to talk with our staff about scheduling an appointment for a crown lengthening or shortening. These procedures are quick and painless solutions that can bring you one step closer to having the smile of your dreams.
Along with improving the aesthetics of your smile, there are times when crown lengthening or shortening is done for practical purposes. Your dentist may perform this procedure when damage to a tooth is difficult to reach and occurring below the gum line. To address this concern, your dentist may perform a crown lengthening, which exposes more tooth area above the gum line, giving the appearance that the crown is larger. This added space means your dentist will better be able to repair the damage that has occurred.
At Brook West Family Dentistry, there is nothing we love more than watching our patients discover a brilliant new smile. If you are scheduled to have this procedure or have any questions concerning it, please contact our staff who will be happy to answer your questions. Our clinic is proud to provide the comprehensive care you need to improve your dental health and is committed to returning even the most damaged mouths back to full health.
Caring for Your Teeth
It is not unusual to experience sensitivity following your crown lengthening or shortening procedure. Slight swelling is also very common. Many patients find that using ice packs for the first 48 hours is effective in addressing the swelling, after which you can begin using moist heat.
In addition to this care, you will also want to stick to a soft food diet following the procedure, and avoid chewing in the area where the procedure took place. It is also important to avoid spicy, acidic, hard or brittle foods. Instead, stick to foods like pasta, soups, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, etc. It is also important to avoid alcohol until your post-operative appointment is complete, and also to avoid smoking for 7-14 days following your surgery.
Once you have recovered fully from this procedure, you can resume your normal diet and eating habits.