Crown Lengthening Doctor in Fort Lauderdale

What is Crown Lengthening?

You may have heard about a procedure to fix what’s sometimes called a “gummy smile.” This is when your teeth are covered by your gums, making your teeth appear shorter than they really are.

In a crown lengthening procedure, your gums (and perhaps some bone tissue) are reshaped, giving you the appearance of “more teeth / less gum.”

See the before and after images above.

The part of the tooth that is seen above the gum is called the clinical crown. When not enough of the clinical crown is showing, the gum is moved up the root to expose more teeth.

There are two situations in which crown lengthening is commonly performed

• To improve the appearance of irregular gum levels (cosmetic)
• To allow a dentist better access to decay or to replace a crown (restorative)

Reasons for a restorative crown lengthening procedure could include, accessing decay in the teeth, fixing a broken tooth or correcting insufficient tooth structure for a restoration (like crowns or bridges).

Most crown lengthening procedures are very straightforward and there is little or no post-operative discomfort. Sutures and dressing are removed after about 2 weeks and is many cases a minor “touch-up” surgery is done after about 4-6 weeks to establish ideal tissue form.

Have more questions about your smile?

If you have questions for a periodontist – please contact our offices. We’d be happy to talk more with you!

Deerfield Beach office: (954) 427-5700